Today I would like to share some this interesting little snake with you called the Southern Stiletto Snake. Yes it sounds more like the name of a shoe, but just like the shoes, this snake is a lot more dangerous than it looks.
This is a fact that a lot of armature reptile enthusiasts can attest too. I know of a few folks on the Bluff who sport rather deformed fingers after picking up one of these little fellows, thinking it is a harmless Mole Snake or File Snake.
These Snakes particularly like the sandy soils of the Bluff where they live their lives, mostly underground feeding on small burrowing lizards and frogs. Their average size is about 40cm, reaching a maximum of 70cm.
These snake are often found after heavy rains, when they get washed out of there sandy homes, they can also be encountered while excavating in the garden. These snakes are commonly called Burrowing Adders or Mole Vipers, and unlike most other snakes these cannot be handle by hand without one getting bitten, even the usual method of grabbing it behind the head does not work. These snakes have fangs that are positioned horizontally, facing towards the back of the upper jaw and they are not movable. This means that grabbing the snake behind is impossible, all the snake does is twist and puncture your finger.
This is the typical self defensive posture of the Stiletto snake, if threatened they arch their neck like this then strike viciously from side to side. This Snake’s bite is extremely painful, victims often experience intense pain and swelling at the site of the bite which can last a few days. I have heard of folks losing digits off their fingers because of a bite from a Stiletto.
Please do not attempt to handle any snake unless you are absolutely sure of what you are handling and PLEASE do not kill them as they are also God’s amazing creates and have a plan and purpose just like we do.
Please feel free to visit my Photography page for more pictures of God’s amazing little creatures found in and around the Bluff: www.facebook.com/WkDickPhotography
God Bless
Warren K Dick
