Snakes of Royalston

There are a lot of people who are petrified of snakes. A lot of misinformation and myths abound. This page attempts to provide some information and a list of do's and don'ts. Please help us make this as informative as possible. For further information go to www.africansnakebiteinstitute.com or download the ASI app.

How to Identify a Snake

If yo want to identify a snake or want a snake removed please try and get as much of the following information as possible, without endangering yourself in the process.

Can you photograph the snake?
Where is the snake? Near the house, under some rocks, in a pile of wood, in the grass or in a tree.
Is the snake large or small?
How long is the snake?
What is the body type? Slim and long, medium thickness and long or short and stout.
What colour(s) is the snake?
Is the head and neck a different colour to the body?
What kind of patterns does the snake have? No pattern, stripes, rings, crossbands, rhombic (diamond-shaped), chevrons, blotches, speckles, spots or two-toned.
What is the head shape? Broad, oval or triangular.
What did it do when you approached it? Hissed, puffed, lifted its body, hooded, retreated, played dead, inflated its neck, nervous.
How fast did it move? Quickly, sluggishly or didn't move.
Are the eyes large or small?
Does it have rounded or vertical pupils?

Here is a document to an easy id of snakes of Port Elizabeth by the African Snakebite Institute.

Snake Removals:

Terry Ochse - 083 458 6907
Deno Lombard - 082 574 3618 (non-resident - donation)
Kevin Ulett - 076 303 9141 (non-resident - R200 to R250)
Wild Marik - 066 428 4673 (non-resident - donation)
Nkosi Watson - 072 600 0717

Do's and Don'ts:

Treat all snakes as dangerous / venomous.
Do NOT handle a snake with your hands.
Do NOT handle a dead snake, as it may be feigning death. A dead snake can move for a number of hours after death. Nicking yourself on a dead snake's fangs can be extremely dangerous.
Always keep a good distance from a snake (minimum 1.5m).
If you call for a snake removal, please keep an eye on the snake, while keeping a safe distance.
Most snakes will opt for flight mode, but when cornered will fight in order to defend themselves.
A baby snake whilst looking "cute" is just as deadly as an adult snake. Baby snakes haven't yet learnt how to control their venom so might give you a full dose of venom when striking rather than a possible dry bite

Snake Information