‘Don’t get too close’ – handlers warn against killing of snakes

NOT all snakes are poisonous or pose a risk to people, say snake handlers, who warn against the killing of snakes.

While getting a snake handler to come out and remove it costs you at least R500 or more, local handler Andries Cilliers said it was the safest way.

“Unfortunately, to the majority of people, a snake is a snake and they see it as a safer option to kill first and ask questions later. Equipment, training, petrol, wear and tear and other costs are a reality, I find it odd not to pay someone for their service. After all, if you call a plumber to fix a leak in your bathroom, you have a call-out fee, which is separate from any work done,” said Cilliers.

The African Snakebite Institute said of the 173 snake species in Southern Africa only 11% can be considered deadly. These include mambas, cobras, the rinkhals, puff adder, gaboon adder, boomslang and the twig snake. The Mozambique spitting cobra accounts for the vast majority of serious bites, followed by the puff adder, and then the stiletto snake.

Most of the deaths resulting from snakebites in Southern Africa are a result of Cape cobra and black mamba bite, the institute said.

“The vast majority of snakebite victims who are hospitalised soon after a bite will survive. No more than 15% of snakebite victims will require antivenom,” according to the institute’s website.

Tracey Bodington, owner of The Cape Point Ostrich Farm Reptile Rehabilitation Centre, said ignorance and lack of knowledge led to many snakes being killed without consideration. “The maintenance of biodiversity is very important to all forms of life on earth and that includes snakes as they maintain a balance to the food web. Snakes are both predator and prey. They keep the pest population down by feeding on rats, mice and other small rodents which cause damage to our crops and cause diseases,” said Bodington.

Jason Seale from the Hartbeespoort Dam Snake and Animal Park said there were 25 snake species which were dangerous to potentially dangerous species.

“We would like to adjust the public’s attitude towards snakes to respect them rather than fear them.

“Attempting to kill a snake can be potentially dangerous as one gets too close to the proximity one can get bitten by the snake,” said Seale.

He advised that it was best to take a photo of the snake, remembering not to get to close to it and send it to your local zoo, reptile park or natural history museum.