Snakes and snake bites

Snakes tend to leave humans alone when humans leave them alone. Ensure that you follow the necessary safety precautions to avoid being bitten.

Safety precautions

• Get to know the snakes in your area.
• Keep your eyes open and watch your step.
• Step onto logs and not over them.
• Wear boots and trousers when walking in the bush.
• Do not pick up what appears to be a dead snake.
• If you come across a snake, remain still until it has gone away. If it remains, back off quietly.
• Keep your surroundings free of rubbish when you are out in the country.
• Take a snake bit kit with you whenever you go hiking.
• Don't walk around at night without good shoes and a torch.
• Don't put your hand or feet into holes where snakes may be hiding.

How to handle a snake bite

1. Stay calm. Only a small percentage of all snake bites are fatal – usually only those that receive no medical care. Panic also causes faster blood flow in your body.
2. Get to a hospital as soon as possible.
3. Apply a firm, but not tight (don't restrict blood flow), pressure bandage and immobilise the limb.
   • With puff adder bites, only apply a pressure bandage if there is no swelling.
4. Make a note of the time the bite occurred and provide this to the doctor.
5. Get a photograph of the snake or make a note of its appearance.
6. Phone the hospital and explain what type of snake bite you suspect.
7. Provide CPR if needed.

Do NOT

• Do not use tourniquets
• Do not try and cut the wound or suck the venom
• Do not administer your own anti-venom. Many snake bites are dry bites (no venom injected) and you run the risk of an allergic reaction to the serum.
• Do not remove clothes, massage, or rub the bite area as this will spread the venom.
• Do not give them anything to eat or drink.

Common snakes

Western Cape

Cape Cobra (Naja nivea)

Cape cobra

• Fairly common in South Africa and is found throughout the Western Cape
• Yellow and brown with black specks
• Most active during the day and hide in holes and under large objects.
• They often come into contact with humans when they slither into homes to escape the heat.
• Flat-headed
• Neurotoxic bite (affects the nervous system)
  • Apply a wide crepe bandage firmly above the bitten area (as tightly as possible, but not a tourniquet).
  • This will slow the spread of the venom to vital organs like the heart and lungs.
  • Find medical attention urgently.

Puff Adder. bitis arietans, Western Cape, South Africa

Puff Adder

• Identified by its brown and black v-pattern
• Short and stout with a broad flat head.
• They're found across Africa, from the Southern Cape to the Sahara desert.
• They prefer open grassland, savannah, forests and rocky outcrops.
• Cytotoxic and haemotoxic bite (toxic to living cells)
  • Bites can lead to extensive swelling, extreme pain and tissue breakdown in the bitten limb.
  • If left untreated, death may occur within 24 hours.
  • Comforting and reassuring the patient is a very important part of first aid treatment.

Bitis atropos, Berg Adder in the Cedarberg

Berg Adder

• Also known as the Cape Mountain Adder
• Often mistaken for its larger cousin, the Puff Adder.
• Usually measuring between 40 - 60cm, these small snakes are identified by their keeled scales and triangular heads.
• Usually found in mountainous regions and at sea level, such as the Cape coast, where they lie in thick fynbos.
• neurotoxic bite, which leaves you with localised pain, increased heart rate, loss of balance, dizziness, double vision and temporary loss of taste and smell.
  • A single dose of this venom is not strong enough to kill an adult person, but you should still seek medical help.

Boomslang (Dispholidus typus)

Boomslang

• Identified by their egg-shaped heads and large eyes, and they seldom grow larger than 1.5m in length.
• They're found across South Africa, usually in trees or bushes.
• The Boomslang is one of the most venomous snakes in the world, but because they're extremely shy, bites are uncommon.
• Haemotoxic bite, destroying the thickening properties of the blood.
  • The venom is very slow acting and it can take up to 24 hours for symptoms to appear.
  • Victims risk internal and external bleeding.

Rinkhals

Rinkhals

• The Rinkhals is similar to a cobra but smaller.
• It seldom grows larger than 1.2m in length and tends to be a dark-grey or brownish colour with irregular spotting lighter browns and creams.
• They're known to fake their own death very well to be left alone, so don't approach them even if they look dead.
• They can spit venom as far as 2.5m usually aimed at the eyes.
• The venom is neurotoxic and can cause muscle paralysis, resulting in respiratory and heart failure.
  • If the venom enters the eyes, it will burn fiercely and complications may arise from secondary infection if not treated immediately.
  • Immediately wash out the eyes with any form of liquid you have handy, whether it's water, which is the best, milk, beer or even urine.

Black spitting cobra (Naja nigricincta)

Black spitting cobra

• Found east of Cape Town northwards into much of Namaqualand and north into southern Namibia.
• The snake thrives in dry and arid conditions.
• It's most active during the day and favours dry river beds.
• It's a shy and elusive snake that's quick to escape if encountered.
• Its venom, like that of all spitting cobras, is potently cytotoxic, causing severe pain, swelling, and tissue damage.
• It can also spit its venom and does so effectively.