Panic, violence or fleeing is not your best defence when faced with a snake that has slithered into your home, office or yard. Rather keep calm and report it to the emergency centre on 036 342 7800 during working hours from Monday to Friday or on 036 352 6464/4444 after hours, on weekends and public holidays.

The warmer days have lured snakes out of hibernation and residents may encounter these reptiles when they head out to feed. Common types of snakes that are found in the Umtshezi area includes Puff adders, night adders, vine snakes, brown house snakes, rock pythons, red lip teddle, Mozambique spitting cobra and rinkhals.

If you spot one of these snakes, do not try to catch or kill it. Call the emergency service and keep an eye on the snake’s location.
While snakes will attack if threatened, most of the time, they prefer to flee and will often run instead of striking.

Also remember to watch your step when walking at night. Wear boots and long trousers in the bush or veldt.

Step on top of, not over, logs or rocks, stick to footpaths and don’t put your hand into holes in the ground or under objects when picking them out. Stay away from dead snakes as many fake death.