Expert herpetologist gives tips on handling reptiles
How much do you know about snakes and how to handle them? Internationally renowned herpetologist and author, Johan Marais recently shared advice and tips on dealing with snakes with Corridor Gazette.
MARLOTH PARK – Over the summer months, several Onderbergers had to call local snake handlers to remove reptiles from their homes or yards. Because of the abundance of snakes in the Lowveld, it is important to be able to identify the reptiles and know what to do in case someone gets bitten.
Internationally renowned herpetologist and author of best-sellers like A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa and Snakes and Snakebite in Southern Africa, Johan Marais, will visit Marloth Park in April and shared some of his advice on snakes with Corridor Gazette.
According to Marais, there are 75 snake species in the Lowveld – 36 have no venom, 11 can give painful bites and seven are considered potentially deadly. The most serious bites are from the Mozambique spitting cobra, puff adder and stiletto snake. Black mambas are also very dangerous, but despite being extremely venomous are not aggressive at all and rarely bite.
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Marais is the CEO of the African Snakebite Institute (ASI) and explained that trained snake handlers are mostly called upon to safely remove problem snakes from houses and outbuildings. The ASI teaches people how to safely remove snakes, rather than kill them, using equipment like snake tongs and hooks without physically touching the snake or endangering the handler.
He urged people who come across snakes to immediately move at least five paces away from the snake. Some snakes can spit up to three metres, so it is advisable to retreat to a safe distance where you can still keep an eye on it.
You should then immediately call a trained snake remover. Do not attempt to catch a snake or kill it.
If someone is bitten by a snake, you should get to your closest hospital as quickly as possible.
Ensure that you take a photo of the snake or are able to describe it to enable doctors to administer the correct anti-venom.
As many Onderbergers live between 30 minutes to an hour from the nearest hospital, it is essential to know first aid for snakebites. Marais explained that this knowledge could save a life or limb.
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The ASI launched a free app last year which provides free information on snakes, first aid for snakebites and can help you find trained snake removers in the area.
Marais will present a course endorsed by the Field Guides of Southern Africa (FGASA) in Marloth Park on April 13, which includes snake awareness, first aid for snakebite and venomous snake handling.
The Marloth Park Honorary Rangers requested the course due to the abundance of venomous snakes in the area. Marais explained that several snakebites had been recorded, including a visitor who was bitten on the arm by a Mozambique spitting cobra while asleep.
A reptile photography course will be held the next day.
For more information on the courses, the ASI or their app, visit www.africansnakebiteinstitute.com.
