Approximately 5.5 million people are bitten by snakes each year, resulting in 400,000 amputations and between 20,000 and 125,000 deaths. This means that snake bite kills at least 300 people and may be responsible for as many as 1100 amputations every day world wide.

The answer does not lie in killing the snakes, as they are an important link in the ecology in the control of rodents; rather, we need to improve our ability to prevent snake bites.

The ten most poisonous snakes in South Africa are, in no particular order, the black mamba, Cape cobra, green mamba, forest cobra, Egyptian cobra, Western barred spitting cobra, Mozambique spitting cobra, Gaboon adder, puff adder and boomslang.

The most poisonous snake is undoubtedly the black mamba, with the Cape cobra a close second. The puff adder bites more people than any other species of venomous snake in South Africa.

Ways to prevent snake bites

    • Do not disturb snakes
    • In the veld, wear closed, stout shoes or boots and long trousers, as most victims are bitten on the lower leg or ankle
    • Do not leave your tent, caravan, hut or other living area at night barefoot. Use a torch to light your way
    • Be aware of your surroundings and look where you’re going. When mountaineering, don’t reach out with your hands into places that you can’t see
    • Don’t step directly over large logs and rocks. Rather step onto them first and look at what lies on the other side before stepping off
    • If you come across a snake, freeze so as not to attract attention. Normally snakes don’t attack unless provoked. They would rather flee
    • Never try to kill a snake. Throwing rocks at them is provoking them
    • Some snakes fake death. Therefore, don’t tamper with a seemingly dead snake.

 

Sources

How to avoid snake bites! Retrieved from http://www.capesnakeconservation.com/how-not-to-get-bitten-by-a-snake/
Snake information. Retrieved from http://www.cumhike.co.za/snakeInformation.asp

 

(Revised by M van Deventer)