SNAKE catcher Christopher Mthombeni sends an urgent warning to residents of Ekurhuleni.
He said residents should be on the lookout for snakes in their areas. Christopher said he caught a Rinkhal snake at his home in Springs, Ekurhuleni on Monday, 18 September.
Christopher said on Wednesday, 20 September he received a call from some residents after they saw a snake in their area.
"The residents saw the snake in their street, but they could not see where it went. We looked everywhere but could not find it," he said.
Christopher (42) from Springs in Ekurhuleni said snakes wake up from their long hibernation to look for food when the weather gets warmer and can be seen in garages, in houses and in the garden.
He said from mid-August until the end of May 2024, it's snake season.
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"Be on your guard and be on high alert because we share the habitat with these beautiful, misunderstood creatures that play an important role in controlling the rodent population. We have a range of snakes, including harmless and harmful to humans," Christopher said.
He said snakes like the brown house snake, the aurora house snake and the olive house snake are harmless to humans, and are commonly found near where people live.
But Christopher said the herald snake or (red-lipped) and the skaapsteker are slightly venomous.
"If residents encounter a snake, they need to keep five metres away because some snakes spit venom. People should not try to kill the snake. The snake can bite you if you try to kill it, while other snakes can spit in your eyes," Christopher said.
Let the snake go first.
Call for help.
You can scream and shout, but do not jump or move if you get too close to the snake.
Keep a distance of about 5 metres from the snake as some snakes can spit venom. Watch where the snake lands to locate the reptile once you have contacted your snake catcher.
Do not try to kill the snake:
Attempting to kill the snake can lead to the risk of a snake bite or spitting out eyes and open wounds.
What to do if you have been bitten by a snake or spat into the eyes or an open wound: Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Do not panic, breathe in and out deeply.
Do not run away or try to drive yourself. Do not bandage or cut the bite wound.
If people encounter snakes in their areas, they can contact Christopher Mthombeni on 083 239 7774.
