A s-s-s-sneak peak at the most common serpents in town

The Herald recently spoke to a local snake catcher about the species of slippery serpents one may find in Randfontein, and what one should do when one encounters one …

According to Sean Collins, two species of venomous snakes – the puff adder and the Rinkhals – occur in Randfontein.

The venom of both these snakes is cytotoxic, which means that it effects your cells and blood. However, it is not necessarily life-threatening.

“You will have tissue damage from either one, but in about the last five years there has not been one reported death from a puff adder or Rinkhals bite,” Sean explained.

According to Sean, puff adders are very hard to see as they are well camouflaged. The Rinkhals are fond of going into built-up areas because there are rodents.

“Snakes help keep the rodent population down.”

They are also very fond of lakes and dams where frogs live.

According to Sean, the puff adder and the Rinkhals give live birth, so if you see a number of them together, do not worry, there isn’t an infestation of snakes. Puff Adders are known to have up to 46 babies at once!

Rinkals love to play dead, but under no circumstances should you pick up a snake with your bare hands. Always use snake tools.

Sean gave the following advice about what to do when one comes in contact with one of these venomous snakes:

1. If you have dogs or cats and children in close proximity, phone someone with knowledge about snakes to come and remove it.

2. Leave the snake alone. Cover it with a blanket or a towel if you are able to do it safely until help arrives.

3. If you see the snake, do not run. Keep an eye on it while keeping a safe distance. Ask someone else to phone a snake remover.

If by any chance you are bitten by one of these snakes, follow Sean’s advice:

1. Never put a tourniquet on it, always use a pressure bandage. If you get bitten on the hand, apply the pressure bandage from the tip of the fingers all the way up till under the armpit. The reason to never use a tourniquet is as soon as you release the pressure, the built-up pressure will spread the venom so much quicker through your body. A pressure bandage just slows the pressure down but doesn’t stop the blood flow. Your chances of losing a finger or hand is so much greater if a tourniquet is used.

2. Get to the closest hospital as quickly as possible and try to stay calm.

3. Do not try to suck out the venom.

4. Try to get a photo of the snake that bit you. Do not try to kill the snake because someone else might get bitten.

5. Not all venomous snakes will inject its victim with venom. They could give a ‘dry bite’. however, the victim still needs to go to hospital for them to keep track of your symptoms and give you the medical help you need.

Another snake catcher, Robain Polly, included other snakes occurring in the area in his list:

Harmless:

• Mole snake

• Brown house snake

• Aurora house snake

• Red-lipped snake

• Skaapsteker

• Spotted bush snake

• Green water snake

Venomous:

• Rinkhals (most commonly found)

• Puff adder (on plots close to open grass fields)

• Night adder (close to water)