The Makana Municipality and self-proclaimed “bushman” Basil Mills are warning Grahamstown residents to be on the look-out for snakes.
The Makana Municipality and self-proclaimed “bushman” Basil Mills are warning Grahamstown residents to be on the look-out for snakes.
Municipal spokesperson Thandy Matebese said, “I had a conversation with Fire Department officials and they told me that [since January]they have received at least 15 calls from people saying that they have spotted snakes in Grahamstown. Unfortunately, no snakes have been captured.”
He attributed this increase to various factors including the unbearable heat and long grass. “We need to keep the grass short around the house, stay away from grassy areas, thick bushes,big rocks, large wooden logs and so on. It is advisable to wear a thick leather jacket and boots while climbing the rocks or trees. Be alert and cautious while in the dark,” he said.
Mills pointed out that most reptiles are ectothermic, which means they can only keep warm if their surroundings are warm. So snakes “are governed by environmental conditions at present with the misty and hot conditions, and they are foraging for food. After all these good rains, there are lots of food sources for these reptiles, such as frogs, slugs, insects, rats, mice,and birds, living and feeding in the gardens. The mist also helps, as the prey’s scent particles are much stronger and linger in these conditions, said Mills.
“Snakes like retreats and hiding places as they are reluctant to venture into open spaces. They like areas of thick vegetation, rockeries, stone walls with large cracks and holes, good ground cover, plant covered fish ponds, long grass areas, large compost heaps, rotting log heaps, firewood stacks, accumulation of rubble, building materials, rubbish bin area that attract rodents and leaking rain tanks, unkempt bush and gardens. Old sheets of corrugated iron are ideal for basking sites as they conduct heat, allowing reptiles to warm themselves.”
In the past two weeks, Matebese said that he has had at least two“encounters” with snakes. “I made two trips to Alicedale during these past two weeks and I spotted three snakes in separate incidents. I saw one live snake and two dead snakes, probably run-over while crossing the road,” he said.
Matebese said the three most commonly reported snakes were puff-adders and boomslangs. Puff-adders are considered to be Africa's deadliest snake. They rely on camouflage for protection and lie still if approached. People then tend to step on them and get bitten.
Matebese advised that if bitten by a snake, you should never cut the bitten area to remove the venom. “Cutting the skin is likely to cause tissue damage. This is not good for the bite as it will increase bleeding. The more blood a person loses, the worse things get. Cutting can also cause infection.“The victim should tie something above and below the snake bite, but it is not advised that you tie anything over the bite,” he said.
Settlers Hospital resident doctor, Dr Ntsika Quphe, has confirmed that since January the hospital has treated at least three people. “In all three cases, all the victims were not in life-threatening situations. They were discharged within the same day they arrived at the hospital,” he said.
Mills has also confirmed that several snakes have been seen. “I have located six, my wife two and several other snakes have been rescued by Grahamstown snake handlers and the fire brigade and have been released into the wild within the last two weeks,” said Mills.
“The reptiles that have been relocated have been the common or Rhombic night-adder, puff-adder, boomslang, rinkhals, Cape cobra, brown house snake,Herald-Red lipped snake, spotted bush snake, and slug eaters. Other reptiles have been the water and rock monitors (leguaan) and the striped legless skink.
“As Grahamstonians, we are blessed with an extraordinary diverse and rich reptile fauna. A large puff-adder and stripped legless skink was located at the 1820 Settler Monument, and a large boomslang, near the Kwik Spar. It possibly got a lift into town from a vehicle. A young boomslang found its way into the police bomb squad vehicle and several were found in the gardens and people’s houses,” said Mills.
“Only one unlucky young lady in her twenties was bitten by a night adder and was hospitalised for four days and has recovered well,” he said. Mills said people have misconceptions that snakes are evil, an omen of bad luck, slimy, cold, highly venomous, and that the only good snake is a dead snake.
Mills further gave advice on what to do in order to prevent snake bites.“Use a torch at night. Never pick up a snake, even if it looks dead. If one locates a snake in house, isolate the room. Put a box or blanket down so that the snake will try and hide in there. Do not try handle or even work with snakes. Don't attempt to capture or kill it. Encourage children, if they see a snake, to call an adult and not to pick it up to show you or to play with it.”
Snake bites: what to do
The best advice is to leave snakes alone. If you see one, phone a snake handler you know or the Fire Brigade, Rhodes University Zoology department, Nature conservation, or Basil Mills on 0834202633.
If you do not know snakes,regard all snake bites as dangerous, even if you think the snake is harmless or it missed biting you. Young snakes can bite and inject lethal quantities of venom. Identify the snake as best you can, e.g. body size, colour, back marking and patterns, and behaviour of snake.
Don't try to capture or kill the snake: it might bite again. Do not take extra risks or waste time. If the snake is killed, place it in a container with great care (use spade or braai tong)to have it identified. Do not panic.
Call for help and apply firm pressure by hand to the bite area. Do not cut the wound to bleed out the venom. For any adder bites: do not bandage the bitten area. For any other snakes: use a crepe bandage or any cloth.The crepe bandage should only be as tight as for a sprained ankle. Do not waste time taking off clothes.
The movement will spread the venom. Wrap the whole limb in a pressure bandage and avoid completely circulation. Do not consume any alcohol, as this will cause more rapid onset. Carry the patient to a hospital or a doctor as quickly as possible. Walk slowly if you are alone. Treating venom sprayed in the eyes:Wash the eye out with lots of water.Put in antibiotic eye drops into the eye. Transport the person to hospital or nearest doctor.
