Spring is around the corner and the weather will soon be warmer. This also means that snakes will now be active and going out in search of food, after a long period of hibernation due to the cold weather.
The City of Ekurhuleni cautions pet owners to be on a high alert and to keep an eye on their domestic pets as they may fall prey to prowling snakes.
The period between mid-August and late May is known as the snake season and a number of snakes, which are harmless to humans, such as the brown house snake, Arora house snake, olive house snake and red-lipped snake are likely to be found in the backyard gardens searching for food like rats and cats.
Due to their harmless and less defensive nature, these species tend to be easily killed or captured as pets, an illegal and punishable act if one does not have a legal permit.
However, the public is warned to be on the lookout for some vicious and venomous snakes such as puff adder and rinkhal are extremely dangerous, with the puff adder known to be instinctive, slow in pace and quick to sense danger.
The rinkhal or ring-necked cobra is a fast-moving multi-feeder, which is good at faking death. It is easily identified by the two white stripes that are visible across its neck when it spreads its hood.
In case of encountering a snake, residents can call the city’s snake catchers listed below:
| Makhosonke Mabhena – 063 418 4364 Sonny Katisa – 073 988 8131 | Mapaseka Maleka – 079 180 9231 Lucky Mahlangu – 083 237 7137 Mbali Masango – 081 043 5354 |
| Thembisa | Etwatwa |
| Kempton Park | Daveyton |
| Boksburg | Benoni |
| Vosloorus | Actonville/Wattville |
| Edenvale | Brakpan |
| Bedfordview | Springs |
| Germiston | KwaThema |
| Alberton | Tsakani |
| Thokoza | Duduza |
