What to do when bitten by a stiletto snake

The inoffensive looking stiletto snake is one of the most common encountered venomous snakes in Durban South, and probably accounts for the most medically important snake bites in the area. For some reason many people mistake these snakes for harmless mole snakes, in doing so, pick them up and get bitten.

This snake is often encountered after heavy rains, or if digging work is done in the garden. They can also be found on tarred or cement areas at night, especially after a hot day.

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The stiletto snake is a small snake with an average length of about 30cm and are a bit thicker than a pencil. It is a fossorial species, meaning that it spends most of its time burrowing underground in search of prey, mostly other small ground living reptiles including other snakes.

“I know that I have featured this snake before, but I feel at this time of the year it has to be featured again, in the hopes that it can prevent an accident. There were quite a few bites from this snake in the Durban South area last snake season and more than a dozen bite victims in South Africa,” said Warren.

When threatened these snakes do not rear up like most other snakes do to strike, they have a unique side to side swiping motion which they use to impale their prey or in self-defence. They will often arch their neck while keeping the head flat to the ground, swiping side to side. Their tail ends at a sharp point and if picked up by the tail they will dig that point into you, however, this is harmless.

This is the only South African snake that cannot be held safely behind the head, as the extraordinary long fangs can protrude out the sides of the mouth. When grabbed behind the head, the snake will simply twist and pierce your finger.

“These snakes have predominantly cytotoxic venom that causes severe localised pain and swelling. The patient may also experience nausea and dry throat. The venom is not life threatening, but it can lead to necrosis in the effected limb, sometimes causing the patient to lose a digit or two off a finger. For this reason it is recommended in the event of a bite one is to massage the affected limb to get the venom flowing in the body, as opposed to keeping the limb immobile, never bandage the limb. There is no anti-venom for this snake bite, nor is anti-venom needed. Treatment is symptomatic, pain medication and sometimes antibiotics are required.”

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If you suspect that the snake in your house or path outside is a stiletto, simply sweep it up into a dustpan, then drop it into a bucket or bottle and try your best to get it identified before releasing it into a nearby wilderness area. Alternatively, keep your eyes on the snake and phone a local snake catcher to assist you.

Contact Warren to have your interesting insects, snakes or other wildlife identified. Call or WhatsApp him on 072 211 0353. Follow the conversation on Facebook, Warren’s Small World.

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