Get to know Zululand’s snake heavies

A basic guide to identifying dangerous snakes in Zululand

ANDREW CORNEW
Also highly venomous is the Green Mamba, related to the Black Mamba. It is less aggressive and smaller though. The Green Mamba's venom is also significantly less toxic, however a single bite could certainly be fatal. They are highly arboreal and almost never touch the ground. They have a grass green colour, but yellow when born

SINCE time immemorial, snakes and humans have maintained a confrontational relationship.

It is based more on fear for each other than actual conflict.

Yet, in snake infested Zululand it is particularly relevant to have some knowledge of the different species since far too many of our non-venomous slithery friends are simply taken out by humans with a ‘any snake is a bad snake’ attitude.

It is also important, however, to be able to identify the snake if you are perhaps bitten by a venomous one. This is crucial should you land in hospital and medical personnel need to determine in double quick time what type of snake bite must be treated.

Only eight South African species are highly venomous – and they abound in our region.

It is a good policy therefore to apply common sense when moving about in our lush sub-tropical vegetation.

When hiking or walking in a wilderness area, stick to the path and avoid grassy, bushy areas, where snakes may be hiding.

Also wear boots, long pants and a long sleeved shirt and be careful when picking up objects where snakes are likely to lurk.

The classic example is logs being sought as firewood or when cleaning out your yard.

Don’t try to catch or prod snakes with a stick, most snakes can strike two thirds of their length.

Treatment of snakes and bites

Precise treatment of the various kinds of snake venom is considerably different and best left to medical professionals.

However there are some general principles to be followed while seeking medical help.

Difficult as it may be, try and stay calm. Any activity increasing the victim’s heart rate must be limited as much as possible, because a racing heart circulates the venom in the body faster.

Do not use a tourniquet as it may, in the long run, cause complications.

Do not cut the bite area in an attempt to make it bleed or try suck the venom out the wound.

The Mozambique Spitting Cobra is olive grey, olive or tawny black in colour, with some or all scales black-edged. Underneath it is salmon pink to purple yellowish, with black bars across the neck and ventrals, speckled or edged with brown or black.
Young specimens sometimes have pink or yellow bars on the throat.
The average length of adults ranges between 90cm to
105 cm, but the largest specimen measured was a male 154cm long. It is considered one of the most dangerous snakes in Africa.
The Forest Cobra, also called the Black Cobra or Black and White-lipped Cobra, is the largest true cobra species native to Africa.
It is a very capable swimmer and is often considered to be semi-aquatic. Large and highly venomous, it is a very dangerous species.
It is a generally alert and nervous snake. When cornered or molested, the Forest Cobra can become quite aggressive. 
Night adders can grow up to around 60 centimetre long, making it the longest species of the genus Causus.
They are usually olive green, brown or grayish-brown in colour with black rhombic-shaped blotches, but not all have blotches on them.
This adder species has a mild cytotoxic venom which, although non-lethal, can cause tissue damage.
There is an anti-venom available, but it is seldom required
The Black Mamba is Africa’s most deadly and feared snake in Africa.
It’s aggressive when cornered and will not hesitate to strike. It can reach speeds of up to 20 kmh.
Black Mambas are not black, but rather gun metal grey, brown or olive skinned.
It is the inside of their mouths that are inky black, which they display when threatened.
Its head is shaped like a coffin.
Black Mambas live in savanna, scrub, tree hollows, and sometimes people’s homes. 
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