UPDATE: Sneaky snakes not a problem
MELVILLE – Even though this is snake season, residents should not fear creatures that slither.
Resident Cynthia Ryans recently received a startling visit from a rinkhals snake, that decided to sunbathe in her driveway. But residents of Melville, especially near the Melville Koppies Nature Reserve, have nothing to fear.
Wendy Carstens, chairperson of the management committee of Melville Koppies Nature Reserve, explained that the incident was a rare occurrence. “Snakes normally stay within the borders of the reserve because they know they will be killed in the residential areas, however, if residents have compost heaps, snakes may go exploring,” said Carstens.
“Rinkhals are normally shy snakes but can be a problem for pets and children so the best thing to do is to keep your animals and pets inside and phone a snake catcher,” Carstens added.
Jason Mullins, a qualified reptile handler and snake enthusiast, was called to remove the snake but unfortunately could not make it. His girlfriend, Nicole Leschinsky, who has three-years experience working with snakes, grabbed her gear and removed the 1.1m snake from the property. “If you are inexperienced with snakes, do not try to pick it up, catch it or kill it, as that is when most bites happen. Rather call an expert to come and safely remove and relocate it,”said Leschinsky.
Other snakes that can be found in the Koppies are the brown house, mole snake, herald snake, common eggeater, spotted skaapsteker, aurora house snake, Cape centipede eater, common slug eater and the cross-marked sand snake. According to Carstens, the rinkhals is the only fairly dangerous snake found on the Koppies. She has been working on the Koppies for 19 years and has only seen a rinkhals twice.
Visitors normally walk the trails in groups with a guide and stick to the marked paths. This minimises the risk of a snake crossing a visitors path. Additionally, snakes will feel the vibrations made by a human through the flora and slither away.
The rinkhals snake, nicknamed Ronny rinkhals, was captured unharmed and was relocated to Magaliesburg.
The following is a list of numbers of snake experts whose numbers can be found on the Snakes of South Africa Facebook page:
- Snake handling courses all over Africa and snakebite emergencies – Johan Marais, 082 494 2039
- Emergency snakebite assistance – Jason Seale, 082 781 8498
- Information on snakes – herpetologist at Wits University Prof Graham Alexander, 011 717 6438
- Snake removals in Randburg, Muldersdrift, Roodepoort and Krugersdorp – Adriaan Steyn, 079 103 2236.
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