Snakes in the city – what to do
The increase in rain recently and urbanisation have resulted in many snakes coming from the bushed and wooden areas to seek shelter and heat. This is why many people are finding snakes in their yards and homes.
Pretoria is home to many different reptile species and residents often go into a complete state of panic when one of these scaly animals are found inside a home or even a garden.
Snakes, monitor or rock monitor lizards and sometimes even the odd crocodile are prevalent in the city.
Snake experts Heidi Pfeifer and Arno Naude told Rekord about the increase of snake sightings in Pretoria and what to do when you find one in your yard or home.
“People need to be aware of what kind of snakes are commonly found in their area. In the greater Pretoria, we have encountered Rinkhals, Mozambique Spitting Cobras, Snouted Cobras, Puffadders and Boomslang in various areas.
“It’s easier to identify the dangerous and potentially lethal snakes, than to try remember all the non-venomous ones.”
It is important to know that the common brown house snake, is exactly that, common. They come from wooden, or overgrown parts of the city and they might enter your home.
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According to Pfeifer and Naude, they are completely harmless and small.
“Generally none of the products on the market work to keep snakes out of your house. Some will say they work, some will say they don’t. Each home is different.
“Someone who stays in an eco-estate or on the outskirts of town or near natural habitat, will most likely come across snakes at some stage.
They give the following tips:
– Keep the areas around your home.
– Clean and clear garden waste and building materials laying around.
– Keep the garden neat and do not let bushes and plants lower to the ground, overgrow.
“Ensure you do not provide a habitat which attracts rodents, as a lot of snakes feed on rodents. If you keep or breed animals, keep their cages, pens or stables clean as well. Pick up and dispose of any uneaten food,” Pheiffer told Rekord.
Naude goes on to say that many people’s first reaction is to kill a snake. This is wrong and he urges people to take the correct steps when finding one.
“Most snakes we encounter are harmless. They’re mostly brown house snakes, but we do sometimes get call-outs to people who find more dangerous or venomous snakes. When you find a snake in your home, call me or any snake-removal organisation immediately. The snake won’t harm you if you just leave it alone,” he said.
The weather, like rain also plays a role.
“We have had so much rain in the last month. They often seek shelter and might by accident go into your yard to look for a warm and dry space to stay.
“We need to consider the effects of urbanisation on snakes’ natural habitat. Many of the snakes we get called out to collect are in municipal areas, in people’s houses or gardens.”
How to identify common snakes in Pretoria:
Rinkhals:
The colour of the Rinkhals varies from district to district. Its belly is usually dark with one or two light-coloured cross bands on the throat. Their average length is 90–110cm. Some of these snakes may have a mostly black body, while others are striped.
Mozambique Spitting Cobra:
This snake may have a monocle, U, V, or H shape on the back of the neck. It may also have a hood and it spits.
Snouted Cobra:
The Snouted Cobra is usually brown to mustard yellow in colour with a darker back or darker mottled back. Its belly is off-yellow with a lot of splotching and usually one faint crossbar.
Puff adder:
Puff adders average about 1m in length and have stout bodies. They have light brown, grey, and black markings with a distinctive chevron pattern.
Boomslang:
The Boomslang can be identified by the short stubby snout and large eye. When younger, the eye is a bright emerald colour, going olive green as they age while the overall body colour is grey.
If you spot a snake in your area and would like it removed, call Arno Naude or Heidi Pheifer on 083-374-7087 or 083-739-9303.
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