Human Interest
Snakes becoming more active as summer approaches─── MARK STEENBOK 10:40 Thu, 27 Oct 2016
Bloemfontein - The African Snake Bite Institute says snake bite reports are on the increase as the snake season approaches.
Well-known reptile expert, Johan Marais, says approximately 7 000 serious snake bites occur in South Africa annually, while the most snake bites occur between January and April in the early evening. Marais adds that, of the 171 different snake species in South Africa, puff adders remain the biggest problem.
Marais says Cape cobras or yellow cobras, also found in the Free State, are extremely dangerous and should be avoided.
He says 99% of people hospitalised for a snake bite, survives.
“A lot of the snake bites over the last few weeks has been due to people who tried to catch and handle snakes. Stay away from snakes as we are entering a busy period. If you are 3 - 4 metres away from any snake you are perfectly fine. If bitten, it is very important not to try and suck out the venom. The most important thing to do, however, is to get the person safely to a hospital,” says Marais.
OFM News
