Do not pick up snakes – snake catcher warns once again
Nick Evans is warning people to exercise caution around stiletto snakes after several reported bites in the Greater Durban area.
FOLLOWING several recent incidents in which people and dogs were bitten by stiletto snakes, local snake catcher Nick Evans has once again urged the public not to pick up snakes.
Evans explained that the stiletto snake often appears harmless, which leads many people to try and handle it, a mistake that frequently results in bites.
“The stiletto snake is by far the species that bites the most people in the Greater Durban area,” Evans said.
“Recently, there have been quite a few encounters. To be fair, many of those who pick them up are just trying to help the small, 30–40cm snake, which I appreciate. However, no snake knows whether a human intends to help or harm it. Because they’re instinctively afraid of us, they defend themselves.”
Also read: Evans helps identify common snakes
He added that stiletto snakes are also easy targets for dogs, which often leads to bites.
Evans reported that a man was bitten on the hand last Friday, and another man was bitten on Saturday, both south of Durban.
“Also last Friday, a dog in Phoenix was bitten while tearing the snake apart, and on Monday, two dogs were bitten at a property in Westville,” he said.
A friend of his nearly stepped on one in his passageway on Saturday night.
“Most of the calls I get for these snakes are from people who find them outside,” Evans said. “There’s no safe way to handle this small, wriggly snake without proper equipment.”
While the Stiletto Snake’s cytotoxic venom is not life-threatening, it can cause severe pain, swelling, and potentially serious tissue damage if left untreated.
Evans urged anyone bitten to seek medical attention immediately, and the same applies to dogs, they should be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Evans noted that stiletto snakes are active on warm nights, particularly after rainfall, and they primarily feed on other small snakes.
They can be identified by their arched neck posture when threatened, fast zig-zag movements, stumpy, sharp-tipped tail, and rounded head with tiny eyes.
For snake removals or advice, contact Nick Evans on 072 809 5806 or email [email protected].
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