Swanepoel brothers Rico and Paul from Southport, KZN, were rushed to hospital after both being bitten by a stiletto snake.

South Coast Herald reports that these dark-coloured snakes are often confused with harmless ones, and people tend to pick them up.

However, the consequences of such a mistake can be painful and even fatal.

The incident happened recently when Paul (13) mistook the venomous snake for what he thought was a harmless mole snake or brown house snake.

Concerned that their dog might attack it, he tried to move the reptile.

His mother, Wilma Nel, explained that about 15 minutes later, he said he felt like he was struggling to breathe.

Older brother Rico (15) then went looking for the snake so that it could be identified, but he, too, was bitten.

The boys were rushed to hospital to receive treatment.

Rico lost part of his right index finger, which had to be amputated at the second joint.

His left index finger will require plastic surgery, but thankfully will not be amputated.

Wilma said her sons are now both out of hospital and on the road to recovery.

“They have been discharged from hospital. Paul is fine and Rico is just trying to settle into his new reality,” she said.

The snake was safely captured by Wilma and subsequently relocated.

She urged parents to educate children about the dangers of snakes, especially as the warmer months approach.

The stiletto is also known as a side-stabbing snake, mole adder or moladder.

Information from the African Snake Bite Institute’s website states that the stiletto snake or sypikslang (Atractaspis bibronii) is a small, highly venomous snake that accounts for numerous snakebites during the summer months in Southern Africa.

The snake is dangerous because its exceptionally long fangs can inflict a bite at a 170-degree angle by twisting its head sideways, even when held firmly by the neck.

Its venom, which is highly cytotoxic, causes severe pain, swelling and blistering, potentially leading to significant tissue damage and even digit amputation.

After the Mozambique spitting cobra and the puff adder, the stiletto snake accounts for the majority of serious snake bites in South Africa.

This fossorial snake spends most of its life underground, where it hunts for other snakes and lizards. It often emerges, usually in the early evening, and especially after rain.

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