Spring brings snakes: Expert shares awareness tips for families
With snake season underway in KZN, a local reptile expert is warning residents to stay alert and never attempt to handle a snake.
WITH warmer weather arriving, snake activity is increasing across KZN as snakes come out of their winter dormancy and become more active searching for food and mates.
Reptile expert Nick Evans says there is unfortunately no clear way to distinguish between venomous and non-venomous snakes. He urges residents to learn about their local snakes and recommends the free ASI Snakes app for identification, or to send a photo to a local snake remover for identification.
Also read: Evans helps identify common snakes
If you encounter a snake inside your home, Evans says the number one rule is to leave it alone.
Even if help seems far, you should still contact a snake remover.
“Snake removers go to great lengths to help both people and snakes. At the very least, they can advise. Never try to kill or capture the snake, as this is how people get bitten.
“To avoid snakes in your home, keep your property neat and tidy. Do not leave piles of wood, rubble or rubbish lying around and clean out messy storerooms. Keep tree branches trimmed away from your roof.
Evans warns that snake repellents do not work, as proven by studies.
He also highlighted the importance of snakes in our ecosystem. Snakes are vital controllers of the invasive house rat, which threatens native wildlife and damages property.
A good snake to have in the garden is the non-venomous Brown House snake. Snakes also control populations of frogs, lizards and birds, and are food for monitor lizards, birds, mongoose and genets.
They also act as bio-indicators for pollution like lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic.
Also read: Do not pick up snakes, warns Nick Evans
While no snake species in Durban is currently at risk of extinction, Evans says the Southern African Python population has taken a massive beating due to habitat destruction and being killed for food and traditional medicine. It is a protected species and it is illegal to harm, sell or keep them.
Residents are urged to keep yards clean, grass short, seal gaps under doors, and if a snake is spotted, keep your distance and call a professional.
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