Learn more about the Common Rhombic Night Adder
This snake is generally brown or grey in colour with darker coloured (usually dark brown or black) rhombic markings down the middle of its body.
By Warren Dick
The Common Rhombic Night Adder is probably the most common encountered venomous snake in suburban gardens in the Durban South area where it feeds on frogs and toads.
This snake is generally brown or grey in colour with darker coloured (usually dark brown or black) rhombic markings down the middle of its body, they seldom grow larger than 60cm. The snakes colouration often gets it confused with the harmless Rhombic Egg Eater, however there is one easy way to tell the two snakes apart, that is the fact that the Night Adder has a distinct dark coloured “V” shaped marking on the back of its head.
Contrary to the Night Adder’s common name, it is also active in the daylight hours. They are generally docile snakes, usually favouring a quick escape rather than attack, however if threatened they will puff themselves up, hiss and strike out viciously.
Bites on humans usually occur on the foot or ankle region when the snake is accidentally stepped on in the dark. This snake’s markings also makes it rather difficult to see among leaves and the like, so always use a torch when moving around your garden at night. The Night Adder has moderate cytotoxic venom which is not known to have caused any human fatalities. Victims usually experience severe pain and swelling and sometimes need hospitalisation for a few days; however antivenom is not required nor is it effective. Rather a symptomatic approach should be taken. If bitten one should definitely see a doctor and if your dog has had an encounter with one, you should seek veterinary help as soon as possible.
All snakes play a vital role in the environment and life as we know it will be filled with a lot more pests in the future if we continue to kill any snake on site. Please make use of Google and different social media platforms to learn about the most common found snakes in your area, and if a snake in your garden is harmless and you don’t have cats or dogs that may kill it, simply leave it be, it is doing you a great service. If however you do find a venomous snake and the thought of yourself, your children or your pets getting bit makes you cringe then please phone a snake catcher in your area to relocate it. Never attempt to pick up an unknown snake with bare hands, for this is often when accidents happen.
For snake identification or relocation of a snake, call or WhatsApp Warren on 072 211 0353.
Please note that a small call out fee may apply, as much as I would like to offer the service for free, I usually cannot. But advice over the phone is always free.
