Cobra on a plane! A venomous Cape Cobra forced a Beechcraft Baron 58 plane to make an emergency landing in South Africa after slithering down the back of the pilot during a flight from Bloemfontein to Pretoria. Image: Pizabay.
Snake season: Residents warned to be on the lookout for sssnakes
Snake season is here as summer approaches and temperatures rise. The City of Ekurhuleni has provided emergency numbers for snake catchers.
Cobra on a plane! A venomous Cape Cobra forced a Beechcraft Baron 58 plane to make an emergency landing in South Africa after slithering down the back of the pilot during a flight from Bloemfontein to Pretoria. Image: Pizabay.
As summer approaches and temperatures rise around South Africa which in a way signals snake seasons! Snakes become more active – and residents have been urged to be vigilant
During this period of the year, snakes are on the prowl in search of food.
IS IT SNAKE SEASON ALREADY?
According to the South African government, snake season is from mid-August until late May. This is the period when several snakes, harmful and harmless, get out of hiding.
Snakes such as the puff adder and rinkhals are extremely dangerous, with the puff adder known to be intuitive, slow, and quick to sense danger.
The rinkhals or ring-necked cobra is a fast-moving multi-feeder good at faking death. It is easily identified by the two white stripes visible across its neck when it spreads its hood.
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RESIDENTS URGED TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR SNAKES
The City of Ekurhuleni has cautioned pet owners to be on high alert and to watch their pets as they may fall prey to snakes.
The municipality said while the community is cautioned to be vigilant against the harmful snakes, some snakes are harmless to humans, such as the brown house snake, aurora house snake, olive house snake, and red-lipped snake that are likely to be found in backyard gardens searching for food like rodents,” the City of Ekurhuleni said.
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Due to their harmlessness and less defensive nature, these species tend to be easily killed or captured as pets, which is discouraged because it is illegal and punishable if you do not have a legal permit.
When encountering snakes, residents can call City of Ekurhuleni snake catchers: Makhosonke Mabena on 071 833 6549, Sonny Katisa on 073 988 8131, Mapaseka Maleka on 079 180 9231, Lucky Mahlangu on 083 237 7137 and Mbali Masango on 081 043 5354.
