Deadly Rinkhals snakes slithering around on icy Ladysmith mornings
Most snakes mate during the cold winter months
As we head into winter and with temperatures dropping fast, you might think that snakes are in hiding to keep warm… But think again, as they are still moving around.
Local snake expert Fanie Cillers says the lockdown hasn’t gotten him down and he is still going out and catching snakes that are found at people’s homes.
He ‘picked up’ a deadly Rinkhals at a house in Burma Road recently.
Fanie says that high numbers of Rinkhals snakes have been spotted in the Ladysmith area.
Also read: Maintenance to be carried out at Ladysmith’s water treatment plants
You may now be wondering what the reason is for so many serpents to be around. Well, here it is…
Fanie explains that most snakes mate during the winter months, but the female Rinkhals needs a core temperature of between two degrees and minus-two degrees before she ovulates and is ready to mate.
The temperature these mornings is sometimes below zero, so male snakes need to move to where the females are. This can lead to an increase in contact with humans.
So if you spot a snake, remember that the local snake removal team is still here to come to your rescue and have the ‘unwelcome guest’ removed.
Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join us there!
