SNAKES OF SOUTHERN AFRICA - safariBwana

Snakes have received a bad deal throughout history with most people preferring to see a dead snake than know it is alive and unseen. The Southern African region has a large number of snakes, over 130 species, and if all of these were poisonous our see-and-kill sentiments would be justified.

However, of these snakes only 14 species are known to have caused death and are not all found in the same regions. In addition, dangerous snakes are usually easy to recognise and can be easily avoided by alert hunters.

Of the poisonous species there are a handful which need to be highly respected and avoided.

black and green mambas

These snakes will readily attack if harassed or surprised, rearing with a gaping hiss. Heed any warning and get the hell away. The much-feared black mamba is a very large aggressive terrestrial snake, capable of speeds of up to 40 mph and people say the head of the mamba is shaped like a coffin.... If you are bitten, you have, at most, an hour to get medical care before death. 

cobras

Cobras have a wide distribution across the sub-continent and not all of them are deadly. They are usually nervous snakes and rear when disturbed. They all are capable of spitting their venom a considerable distance and some of them "play dead" when under threat. The most poisonous are the forest cobra, the Cape cobra and the Egyptian cobra. Generally, they are not as aggressive as the mamba and will move off if left alone.
IF YOU GET BITTEN - mambas & cobras

The most important thing is to try and identify the snake first AND keep calm...

These snakes' venom works by paralysing the nervous system which means your respiratory muscles are affected, leading to lung failure.

TREATMENT
- apply a tourniquet above the bite which must be loosened every half hour so as not to restrict your blood flow completely
- 2 ampoules of polyvalent snake serum should be injected if available
- artificial respiration if necessary
- get to a hospital fast!
Venom in the eyes
- wash out thoroughly with lots of water
- if available, dilute one ampoule of polyvalent serum in the water

Cutting, sucking, biting, shocking or burning the wound won't help!

boomslang

Although a poisonous snake, it is not known for many deaths as it is shy and rarely leaves the trees. It has very large eyes and large scales with males being green and females olive brown. It inflates its throat when angry and will readily strike. Its small mouth means its bite does not always penetrate.

twig snake

Similar to the boomslang but very thin and quite long with excellent camouflage. Bites are rare as the snake is totally arboreal.
IF YOU GET BITTEN - boomslang & twig snake

The most important thing is to try and identify the snake first AND keep calm

These snakes' venom is haemotoxic and stops the blood from clotting and death will occur if left untreated. The venom is slow-acting, taking effect 2-4 hours after being bitten. 

TREATMENT
- do not apply a tourniquet
- do not inject polyvalent snake serum
- get to a hospital as soon as possible!

Cutting, sucking, biting, shocking or burning the wound won't help!

adders

There are various adders varying in danger throughout the sub-continent but one is found from east to west and is responsible for more bites than any other snake in Africa: the puff adder.

It is a sluggish short very well camouflaged ground snake. It is quite similar to the US rattlesnake with a broad diamond head. They are back-fanged meaning they cannot strike forwards so facing the snake head on is relatively safe. People are most often bitten by standing on them as they are slow to move out of the way. It is interesting to note that 80% of puff adder bites are below the ankle. Wear decent hiking boots and pants with loose bottoms.
IF YOU GET BITTEN

The most important thing is to try and identify the snake first AND keep calm

Most of these snakes have cytotoxic venom which destroys tissue and extreme swelling, bursting and rotting of the affected limb does occur. Few deaths occur but amputations are common.
TREATMENT
- do not apply a tourniquet
- inject polyvalent snake serum if you are in a remote area and treatment is far away
- get to a hospital as soon as possible!

Cutting, sucking, biting, shocking or burning the wound won't help!
don't make this mistake....
Whilst out bird hunting, a farmer's son felt an extremely sharp pain in his big toe. He gazed down in horror as he saw a deadly black mamba slithering into the grass nearby. Remembering what his father had told him about the chances of surviving the bite, he pulled out his penknife and quickly sawed off his big toe.

Seeing his son hobbling home along the path, the father ran out to meet him. Upon proudly relating the events, the son pulled out his severed appendage and handed it to his father as proof. As the father inspected the bloody digit, to his surprise he found a large acacia thorn embedded firmly in the toe - the cause of the severe pain!

Now that's an African tale for you! 
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