NICK Evans of KwaZulu-Natal Amphibian and Reptile Conservation talks about green mambas and snake safety.
Green mambas are listed as vulnerable with habitat destruction listed as the main reason.
“They occupy coastal forests, rarely venturing a few kilometres inland. Of course, the coastline is largely developed, and this is an ongoing process. Green mambas are having less and less habitat to occupy, hence why they may venture into suburbia.”
For those who are fearful of these creatures, Nick offers the following reason why they need to be preserved: “Like all snakes, they are part of the food chain, which maintains a healthy environment. They glide majestically through the treetops, hunting birds and rodents, mostly.”
As for its bite – while indeed being highly venomous with the ability to kill a man, Nick said green mamba bites are extremely rare and are usually inflicted on handlers.
“It is an absolutely beautiful snake, with the most striking shade of emerald green. They can reach lengths of more than two metres and are very impressive snakes.”
If you see a snake, safety is vital.
“The number one rule is to simply leave it alone. Attempting to kill or capture a snake puts you at great risk of being bitten. A snake is a lot more scared of you than you are of it. So just move away from it slowly and it will do the same (except it will move away at speed). If you want it removed from your property, call a professional snake-catcher and maintain a visual on the snake. If it disappears, it’s extremely difficult to locate again.
Also, there is no way to permanently keep snakes away from your property. The best thing to do is to keep your garden neat and tidy. Snakes come into gardens for food and shelter.
Green mambas are rarely seen, even in areas where they occur. They tend to stick to the forest canopies. One snake which is very common, and often mistaken for the green mamba, is the spotted bush snake. It is a completely harmless species. It is thin and green with black spots running half-way down the body with a pale yellow belly. They hunt geckos and are frequently seen in suburbia.”
For information on snakes and other local reptiles go to www.kznamphibianreptileconservation.com.
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