Snakes alive!

The recent fire on Slangkop brought to mind the plight of our slithering friends. Where did they make for as they fled from the flames? Did they head for the Bokramspruit that meanders across the fields towards Long Beach? Did they slip into the cracks of the rocks where they have their nests, safe from the heat and flames? Or did they slither into our gardens where frogs and small birds are plentiful at present, to make a new home in the woodpile?

The woodpile has long been a favourite sanctuary for snakes and it's always a good idea to beat it with a stick (not the snake) before taking logs off for a braai, to give any residents an opportunity to glide away. The snake population along the path around the bay has become very visible over the last year, with a huge cobra often seen sunning itself on the rocks (regrettably, some idiot saw fit to kill same) and numerous puffadders and cobras have since been spotted on the way to the lighthouse. Caution should always be exercised, as most snakes would prefer to avoid confrontation (a puffadder is unlikely to give way), and particularly dog walkers should be wary, but of course they are on leads, aren't they?

A friend tells me that there have been four incidents of dogs and snakebite  in Noordhoek, of which three dogs died and one incurred a vet's bill equal to the price of a small car. He has taken the precaution of snake-proofing his animals, which entails the fitting of an electrified collar and the presentation of a snake (duly controlled by a handler). Each time the dog approaches or barks at the snake, it is given a shock, and apparently it takes very few shocks to train it to never go near a snake. This training facility is available to anyone at very reasonable cost.

A few other tips on snake avoidance: they do not necessarily only go out in the day, many are diurnal. They do not necessarily live on the ground; trees and creepers are not the preserve of boomslangs - cobras and puffadders have been rescued from trees and creepers too. The good news is that, if you have lots of birds fussing and twittering around a spot in your garden, this could be a very good warning to be on the lookout for a snake and take evasive action!