MegaBanner-Right

MegaBanner-Left

LeaderBoad-Right

LeaderBoard-Left

Home » Featured IND » Snake season slithers into Cape Town

Snake season slithers into Cape Town

Many hiking groups across Cape Town have reported snakes coming out of hibernation and crossing their paths on trails. According to the Cape of Goodhope (CoGH) SPCA, hikers may spot more snakes as the temperatures begin to rise.

The most common snakes found in Cape Town’s residential areas are mole snakes, which may be scary to see, but are not venomous. “Be more vigilant while you’re hiking, especially in areas such as Tokai, as this is where you enter puffadder territory,” says Tara McGovern, CoGH SPCA spokesperson. “When you come across any snake, its advisable that you give them a wide berth – remember, they’re more afraid of us than we are of them.”

Snakes will begin emerging as the days get hotter, and will disappear as soon as temperatures drop again.

Hikers also tend to walk their dogs in summer more than they do in winter, and McGovern advises that pets be kept on leashes in areas where snakes were recently spotted. “This generally just keeps the dog a little more safe from being bitten by a snake,” she says. “Snakes sense vibration, and so know that you are there before you know they are. In the rare event that a snake attacks your dog, get them to a vet immediately. Do not try to treat them yourself.”

Try to remember the markings or other physical traits of the snake, as some are venomous while others are not. A vet will determine whether your dog will need anti-venom.

“Snakes may also move into residential areas as the weather gets hotter because they also become thirsty,” McGovern added. “You can put some water on the lid of an ice-cream container and leave it in your garden on warm days, as a snake may come looking for something to drink. Keep any doors leading out to your garden closed, as your house may be cooler than it is outside, and snakes may enter looking for a cool place to rest.”

McGovern also advises that gardens be kept neat and tidy to ensure no one stumbles upon a snake nestled in the junk of the garden shed. “Tidy up any piles of tools or rubber and such you may have outside, as snakes may also slither to rest among those things,” she says.

To enquire about Cape Business News' digital marketing options please contact sales@cbn.co.za

Related articles

Bellville steps into the spotlight as Greater Tygerberg Partnership joins city’s Content Partnership Programme

THE Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP) has been named as the official content partner for Bellville in the City of Cape Town’s award-winning Content Partnership...

Film fund applications open

The City of Cape Town’s Film Office invites filmmakers to apply for support through the City’s Film Fund for productions set for completion during...

MUST READ

Why AI is both a risk and a priority defence tool

Cyber security in the age of AI is a key topic for the forthcoming ITWeb Security Summit, to be held in Cape Town and...

RECOMMENDED

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.