Residents of Durban and surrounding areas should not be taken by surprise if they come across unexpected visitors over the festive season, and should rather be informed and prepared, advises expert snake catcher, Nick Evans.
The soaring December temperatures has awakened the slithery inhabitants of our region, and snakes can make an appearance, as indicated by sightings in recent weeks.
Westville and the greater Durban region are particularly affected. This time of year is especially significant, as pregnant black mambas begin to make appearances. And, despite its name, the Mozambique Spitting Cobra is also a common sighting in and around Durban.
Evans, who is known for the rescue of reptiles and amphibians in the Upper Highway area, is driven by his conservation initiative, the KZN Amphibian & Reptile Conservation, and apart from snakes he also undertakes rescue of the endangered Durban Dwarf Burrowing Skink and the KwaZulu Dwarf Chameleon.
“With my hands-on work, I focus on educating the public, dispelling myths about snakes, and encouraging a deeper understanding of these misunderstood creatures”.
Educating communities is a key method to keep people safe, especially in the summer season.
As he prepares for upcoming talks in northern communities, Evans faces the challenge of navigating rough terrain to reach these often-remote areas. Recently, tyre fitment centre Dunlop Westville sponsored four brand new Dunlop Grandtrek tyres for Evans’ bakkie. “My educational talks take me far and wide, and they’re in places I do not want to have any tyre issues. I cannot thank Dunlop enough, not only for their generosity, but also for their eagerness in wanting to educate the public about snakes,” said Evans.
Evans says residents should be vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent unwanted snake encounters. By being aware of their surroundings and taking steps to secure their homes, residents can minimise risk.
The two infamous species in Westville are the Black Mamba and Mozambique Spitting Cobra which despite its name, is indigenous.
“These two species are common in valley areas throughout Durban, and nature reserves. Westville is quite well-known for these species, because the suburb sits between the Roosfontein, Paradise Valley and Palmiet Nature Reserves, and the north end of Westville North has a valley separating it from Clermont. These areas are home to mambas, and cobras, and occasionally they come into homes,” said Evans, adding that fortunately, snake bites are incredibly rare.
Other venomous species include Rhombic Night Adders, Vine Snakes and Stiletto Snakes. The three most commonly encountered snakes are harmless, though: Spotted Bush Snakes, Brown House Snakes, and Heralds.
Here’s his advice when encountering an unexpected visitor:
1. The number one rule with snake safety is: leave it alone. Do not try to kill it. Do not try to catch it. If you do try to catch or kill a snake, you drastically increase your chances of being bitten.
2. Hurting or scaring a snake is going to cause it to want to defend itself. If you see one, move away from it, preferably slowly.
3. If you know it’s a venomous species, call a snake catcher.
4. If you can, take a photo of the snake from a safe distance (4m+ depending on the snake), and send it to me or a local snake catcher. If it is non-venomous, and it is in your garden, we can encourage you to rather just leave it be. If it’s venomous, we’ll come out. If you can’t get a photo, that’s okay too.
5. If you do call a snake catcher, it is crucial that you watch the snake. Snakes disappear in a flash and are rarely found again.
6. Please keep pets, particularly dogs, away from the snake. Cats seem to know which snakes to leave alone. Dogs, though, will go for any snake, to defend their family and home.
With these simple steps, residents can protect themselves.
Nick’s contact details are: 072 809 5806, nickevanskzn@gmail.com
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Author: Jozi Meth from Logico Creative Solutions on behalf of Dunlop SA.
Why is the environment important to human kind? The environment is important to human kind because it provides us with the basic necessities of life such as air, water, food and shelter. It also has a direct impact on our physical and mental well-being, as it provides places for recreation and relaxation, and can help to reduce stress. Furthermore, the environment contributes to the overall quality of life, as it helps to regulate the climate, and can affect the health of our economy and communities. Finally, the environment is essential for sustaining the biodiversity of our planet, which is essential for the survival of many species, including humans.
Three examples of how the environment affects human activities?
- Climate Change: Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and overfishing are all contributing to global climate change. Climate change has been linked to a range of impacts, from more extreme weather patterns to sea level rise and disruption of food production.
- Air Pollution: Human activities such as burning fossil fuels for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes are a major source of air pollution. This air pollution can cause respiratory problems, acid rain, and crop damage.
- Water Pollution: Human activities such as dumping waste into bodies of water, agricultural runoff, and oil spills can lead to water pollution. This pollution can cause algal blooms, contamination of drinking water, and destruction of aquatic ecosystems.
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