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ABOUT SNAKES

It is rare to encounter a snake problem and – as shy creatures – if you see one, it is likely that they will simply be passing-by as quickly as possible. Snakes tend to avoid contact with people and will therefore steer clear of you and your pets.

They feed on rats, insects etc. Venomous snakes are distinguished using pupils, pits, tail scales. There are poisonous and non-poisonous; these have round pupils, no pit near nostril and have divided scales on the underside of tail, they are good climbers searching for food or hot weather.

There are three main snake species that you will encounter in Uganda:

  • Puff Adder
  • Cape Cobra
  • African Rock Python

Places where snakes are commonly found include:

  • Reptile Habitats – Nature reserves of rough grassland, disused quarries, large allotments, large derelict urban sites or sunny road and railway embankments with scrub cover.
  • Garden Features – Wood, rock or rubble piles, rockeries, ponds, long grass areas and shrubs.
  • Sunny Areas – Sun trap areas with lots of vegetation cover and places to shelter.
  • Gardens, parks or other grassed areas – Be prepared to find reptiles if you lift up debris or are near features such as hedges, ponds, compost heaps and areas of long grass.

SNAKE CONTROL TECHNIQUES

  • Remove habitat; remove bush, piles, mow grass frequently. The above remedies remove habitat for rodents which are food to snakes.
  • Exclusion; seal off ¼ inch and larger holes.  Seal holes with concrete around water pipes and electricity conduits, in foundation.
  • Snake proof fence; keep away poisonous because they are not good climbers.
  • Repellants; there are many repellants for snakes and checkered garter snakes. Repellant Ingredients are Sulphur and naphthalene moth balls.
  • Burlap bags; place piles of damp burlap towels in areas where snakes have been seen.
  • Glue boards; trap them inside a building and pour vegetable oil on glue to release them.
  • Trapping; pit traps with drift fences can be used to capture and relocate snakes.

DO'S and DON'TS OF TREATING SNAKE BITES

Symptoms usually manifest soon after a snake bite, so observing the victim is extremely important. If no symptoms have occurred within half an hour of the bite then indications would be that it was not a venomous snake, it failed to inject any venom or the snake was very old and had little or no venom left.

Do
  • Try to identify the snake; colour, size, shape of head and attacking method are useful.
  • Loosen the victim’s clothing and move them in to the shade.
  • Keep the victim calm and still; movement will increase blood flow and transport the venom to the heart much faster.
  • Immobilise the limb but do NOT restrict blood flow unless you are certain the bite was from a snake that delivers neurotoxic venom.
  • Clean and dress the wound being careful not to apply pressure and cause bruising.
  • Be prepared to administer CPR if necessary.
  • Get the victim to a hospital quickly.
Do Not

While there can be differences of opinion as to what we should do for snake bites the consensus of opinion as to what not to do is reasonably consistent:

  • Allow the victim to exercise or stress themselves.
  • Cut the bite or attempt to suck the venom out.
  • Give the victim anything to eat or drink especially alcohol.
  • Use potassium permanganate crystals or solution near or on the bite wound.
  • Use soapy water round the bite wound.
  • Leave pressure bandages on too long.
  • Leave the victim alone.
  • Apply ice to the wound.
  • Soak the affected limb in any solutions.