Snake handler helps out in slithery situations
A Table View snake handler, Davine Samsom, has raised concerns about the number of snakes being spotted in Table View, Melkbosstrand and surrounds.
Ms Samsom caught a Cape cobra at a house along Pentz Drive, Table View on Monday, October 31, and the snake was released into one of the nearby reserves.
The warmer months, from around September to April, are breeding and hunting season for snakes, she says.
She advises anyone who encounters a snake to stand still or move away from it slowly.
“Snakes don’t bite unless they are provoked. Snakes don't chase people - it's an old wives’ tale. Move away from the snake and walk away. This applies when walking in bushy areas. The snake will move along. Nobody must try and hurt the snake or try picking it up; this could be very, very dangerous.”
If a snake is found inside your house, watch its movement at all times and follow the snake’s directions at a distance, she says.
“If it goes under the couch or fridge or other places, stand at an angle where you can see if he moves and don't take your eyes off the snake.”
When a snake is found in a closet or bedroom, she says, it is best to put a towel down at the bottom of the door but keep enough of a gap for the snake to slither out and be caught by a snake expert.
Anyone bitten by a snake should not assume it is non-venomous and they should go to a hospital as soon as possible.
Ms Samsom has been catching snakes for six years and she says some very venomous ones, including the Cape cobra and the boomslang, are occasionally found in Table View and Melkbosstrand, along with the less venomous or non-venomous mole snake, Karoo whip snake, harlequin snake, brown house snake, brown water snake, skaapsteker, olive house snake, aurora house snake and egg eater.
Ms Samsom says another myth about snakes is that if a baby snake is found, the mother must be around.
“Mama snakes carry eggs for a while and bury them in an ideal spot. She then leaves. Sixty-two days later, the babies hatch and they all move along on their own.”
Snakes only bite when they feel threatened, she says.
“They will show a defensive mode. For example, a Cape cobra will hiss and spread a beautiful hood. That is just a way to protect itself. After a while, it will move away from you.”
Snakes don’t usually make their homes around houses, but they do like to move through an overgrown garden or a house with a lot of clutter or building debris, she says.
“Snakes can move into your private space if they sense food, especially rats and mice. They can also be looking for water and shade if it's a hot day.”
Snakes play an important role in our ecosystem, she says, and she encourages the public to ask for help with snake removals instead of killing or injuring them.
If you spot a snake on your property, contact Davine Sansom on 072 809 8908.
