AROUND this time every year, Durban’s snake expert, Nick Evans, sends out warnings to residents to not pick up Stiletto Snakes.

With the recent rains, followed by hot and humid weather, Evans said that Stiletto Snakes are now fully active.

“I always send out this warning to prevent people from being bitten,” he said. In the past few days, the snake catcher said he was alerted to two Stiletto Snake bites.

“Last week, a lady picked up a Stiletto Snake and was bitten on each hand. This is a mistake so many people make, and regret. Please do not pick up snakes,” he urged.

He noted that Stiletto Snakes do not attack people.

“They are not creatures you need to live in fear of. But please, do not pick up snakes that you see around the garden, or anywhere,” he urged.

Evans explained that that the problem is that people first identify the venomous snake as a harmless species.

“Therefore, they pick it up and soon realise what a bad mistake that was,” he said.

The venom is cytotoxic and causes pain, swelling and tissue damage.

“In the event of a bite, on a human or dog, please take the patient to the nearest hospital or veterinary clinic,” he advised.

In a second incident, a young girl stepped on a Stiletto Snake and was bitten once on the foot.

“These accidental bites happen, no one is at fault. But far more bites occur due to people picking them up. These snakes are active in humid conditions after rain, which is what we have been experiencing of late here in Durban,’ he said.

If anyone sees, hear of any bites in the Greater Durban area or see a snake that resembles a stiletto snake, Contact Evans on 072 809 5806.

How to identify a stiletto snake:

The Natal Black Snakes, Wolf Snakes, Blind Snakes and Young Brown House Snakes are confused for Stiletto Snakes.

• In Durban, stiletto snakes are a brownish/black colour, with a lighter brown-coloured belly. In other parts of the country, they are white underneath.
• They have round heads and small eyes with a tail that ends in a barb. For Evans, the easiest way to identify them is through their behaviour. If threatened, they jerk around, with a sudden burst of movement and then they flee.
• Another thing to look out for, is they will often arch their neck up, with their snout down against the ground. This is their striking position.

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