Hibberdene resident, Eben van Eeden has been bitten by a stiletto snake or Sypikslang (Atractaspis bibronii), which is a small, highly venomous snake, that accounts for numerous snakebites during the summer months.

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

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When Eben arrived home yesterday evening at about 8pm, his 15-year-old son informed him that the family’s kitten was playing with a snake under the car port.

“My son picked up the small snake and handed it to me. I didn’t think much of it, until it bite me on the thumb,” said Eben.

“The snake, measuring not more than 10cm bite the kitten, my son and then me.

Eben was taken to Port Shepstone Regional Hospital.

A photo of the snake was sent to snake catcher, Sarel van der Merwe who identified it as a stiletto snake.

“The kitten is fine and my son has a slight headache but appears to be fine, ” he said. 

The stiletto snake has particularly long fangs, which according to the African Snakebite Institute  protrude independently to ‘stab’ its prey.

 The venom of this snake, though not potentially fatal, is potently cytotoxic causing severe pain, swelling, blistering and in many cases tissue damage. 

“Many victims lose a digit. As there is no antivenom, doctors can only treat for pain, rehydrate the patient and then wait a few days to see how extensive the tissue damage is.” 

Previously known as a mole adder, viper or burrowing asp, these dark snakes are often confused with harmless-looking snakes.

The African Snakebite Institute said people tend to pick them up with their hands and the consequences of such a mistake can be very painful.

“Stiletto snakes are so named, because of these very large, hollow, mobile fangs situated in the front of the mouth, much the same as a stiletto dagger used by assassins,” said the website.

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