With spring in the air and the weather nice and warm, snakes will now be up and about, after a long period of brumation, hungry and in search of food.<\/p>\n
The metro cautions pet owners to be on high alert and keep an eye on their domestic pets as they may fall prey to snakes.<\/p>
From mid-August until late May it is snake season and a number of snakes which are harmless to humans, such as the brown house snake, Aurora house snake, olive house snake and red-lipped snake are likely to be found in gardens searching for food like rats and cats.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>
Meanwhile, snakes such the puff adder and rinkhals are extremely dangerous, with the puff adder known to be very instinctive, slow in pace and quick to sense danger.<\/p>\n
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ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Warning: Metro not recruiting on social media<\/a><\/p>\n Cool off in Ekurhuleni\u2019s community pools<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The rinkhals or ring-necked cobra is a fast moving multi-feeder which is good at faking death.<\/p>\n It is easily identified by the two white stripes that are visible across its neck when it spreads its hood.<\/p>\n Things to do when you come across a snake:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Give the snake right of way.<\/p>\n \u2022 You can scream and shout but don\u2019t jump or move.<\/p>\n \u2022 Keep a distance of about five metres from the snake as some snakes can spit poison.<\/p>\n \u2022 Watch where the snake ends up so you can locate the reptile once you\u2019ve contacted an expert.<\/p>\n \u2022 Do not try to kill the snake; trying to kill the snake may lead to the danger of snake bites.<\/p>\n \u2022 Call for help.<\/p>\n What to do if you are bitten by a snake or if a snake spits in your eyes or on an open wound:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Do not panic.<\/p>\n \u2022 Do not run or try to drive yourself.<\/p>\n \u2022 Do not take it for granted.<\/p>\n \u2022 Get medical attention as soon as possible.<\/p>\n Should residents come across snakes in their residential areas, they can contact Christopher Mthombeni on 011 999 3029 or 083 239 7774 or e-mail chris.mthobeni@ekurhuleni.gov.za for assistance.<\/p>\n You may also contact a local snake expert.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>, Leigh Hodgson (journalist)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or Puleng Sekabate (journalist) pulengs@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n