What to do when you encounter a snake
There is no need to kill the snake, as they play a vital role in a healthy environment.
“I want everyone to share this information with their friends and family, it could save your loved ones a lot of pain.” This is the sound advice from snake catcher, Warren Dick.
“I know that I have featured the stiletto snake before, but I feel that 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 within the Durban South area last snake season and more than a dozen bite victims within South Africa.
According to Warren, this inoffensive looking snake is one of the most common encountered venomous snakes in the area, and probably accounts for the most medically important snake bites in our area.
“For some reason that is not known to me, many people mistake the stiletto snake for harmless mole snakes, in doing so, pick it up and get bitten. The stiletto snake is not big at all, they average at a length of about 30cm and are a bit thicker than a pencil.”
“The stiletto snake 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. 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.”
“When threatened, the stiletto snake doesn’t rear up like most other snakes to strike, however, 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.”
Warren added that 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 can’t be held safely behind the head, as its 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.”
“The stiletto snake predominantly has 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.
“For this reason it is recommended to massage the affected limb to get the venom flowing in the body as opposed to keeping the limb immobile. Never bandage or immobilise 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.”
There is no need to kill the snake, as they play a vital role in a healthy environment.
Warren gave the following advice for snake encounters. “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 some of 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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