Snakes and spiders.docx

7/25/2019 Snakes and spiders.docx

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SnakesThere are over2 500 species of snakes found worldwide and around 138found in Southern Africa. Of these, about 35 are venomous and 13 are

dangerous to humans. The Blac !amba is considered to be the mostdangerous snae in Africa, as its bite without the anti"venom is nearl# alwa#s

fatal. The $a%e $obra is the ne&t most %oisonous of the snaes in SouthAfrica. 'owever, (uff Adders are %robabl# res%onsible for the most deaths inAfrica as these are sluggish snaes that are disinclined to move out of thewa# when a%%roached.

!ost of the snaes encountered b# cam%ers and hiers are not %oisonous andthe# %la# a vital role in the ecos#stem. )f #ou are in a nature reserve you

should never kill a snake . )t is im%ortant to now that the# are morescared of #ou than #ou are of them. !ost snaes will get out of #our wa# and

will onl# strie when the# have no esca%e and are threatened.

What to do when you encounter a snake*hen hiing in the bush it is im%ortant that #ou do not %ic u%, %oe or%rovoe an# snae that #ou come across, even if it a%%ears to be dead"somesnakes such as the Rinkhals play dead , and can strie if disturbed. )f#ou discover a snae, do not a%%roach it closel#. )f #ou ste% on a snae or

are ver# close to a (uff adder then move awa# +uicl#.

)f the snae is onl# about a meter awa#, freee at first and see the snaes

reaction " it will liel# loo for an esca%e route. )f it is cornered, bac awa#slowl#. )f #ou move slowl# #ou are not perceived as a threatand the snaeis less liel# to strie.

Observe the snae. )f the snae sta#s slithering on the ground it willliel#move away and not strike. )f the snae rears u% lie a cobra andflattens its nec to form a hood then it is aggressive and is liel# to strie

and #ou need to act with caution. (#thons and adders move forward in astraight line, other snaes move using side"to"side undulations.

Treatment of snake bitesThe most im%ortant advice if #ou are bitten b# a snae is to remain calm. -onot %anic or rush as this s%eeds u% #our metabolism and s%reads the %oisonfaster. More damage is done by the shockthan the actual bite. )dentif#

the snae if %ossible. )f #ou do not now what snae it is tr# and memoriewhat it loos lie.

ela& and %hone for medical hel%. /now that not man# South Africanhos%itals deal with snae bites regularl# so inform them and as them to%hone the e&%erts.

If you are bitten by a cytotoxic snake such as an adder

-rin %lent# of fluid unless #ou have trouble swallowing

A%%l# a sterile dressing to the wound


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0ever tr# and suc the venom out with #our mouth

-o not s+ueee the bite

-o not a%%l# a tight bandage or tourni+uet

If you are bitten by a neurotoxic snake such as a cobraor mamba

Sta# calm and breathe gentl#

)mmediatel# a%%l# a cre%e bandage firml# around the wound, as if for a

muscle s%rain. This will reduce the amount of venom entering the

bloodstream but should not cut off circulation

-o not a%%l# a tourni+uet

0ever tr# and suc the venom out

Trans%ort the %erson to hos%ital as soon as %ossible as these snaes

have %otent venom and anti"venom will be needed

How to Avoid a Snake Bite*hile the behavior of snaes is obviousl# not 12 %redictable, #ou canminimie #our chances of being bitten b# taing several basic %recautions. )f#ou want to avoid being at the receiving end of a %air of venomous fangs,

follow these sim%le guidelines while out rom%ing in the wilderness

Avoid tall grass. !an# of the snaes mentioned in (art 1 of this %ost lie to

hang out in grass# areas and heav# underbrush. )f #ou can, stic to the trailsso #ou can clearl# see what #ou4re ste%%ing on. )f #ou have to go off trail, beattentive lest #ou inadvertentl# ste% on a slee%ing rattlesnae. )f #ou mustventure through tall grass, carr# a stic and use it to %robe the ground infront of #ou. And remember, there are alwa#s e&ce%tions to the rule a snaecould ver# well be curled u% in the middle of a well groomed trail. Alwa#s beaware of #our surroundings.

Remember that snakes can climb. *hile the#4re not s+uirrels,

snaes can slither u% trees and bushes. !ost %eo%le never imagine the#4ll seea snae at e#e level, and are thus +uite vulnerable to an aerial attac. The

last thing #ou want is to feel that fored tongue on #our face, so ee% #ourwits about #ou.

Check before you stick your hand into a crevasse. Because snaes are%ure evil, the# lie to hang out in the dar. 'oles, a hollow log, or a crevassein a roc are %erfect %laces for a snae to hide. So before #ou go sticing#our hand in an# dar hole, chec to mae sure there isn4t a snae 6or

another critter7 in there.

ombie snake attack.Sa# #ou find a dead snae that #ou want to tae and

turn into a %air of snaesin boots. ight on. But be careful when %icing itu%. reshl# dead snaes still have refle&es and can still bite #ou if #ou4re not


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careful. )4ve seen a dead snae slither around firsthand. )t4s reall# cree%#.(lus, man# snaes are %rett# sloth"lie during the da#time. And the#4re +uitesillful at ee%ing com%letel# still it4s how the# catch their %re#. So a snaesunning himself ma# loo good and dead, but ma# ver# well be slee%ing withone bead# e#e o%en, its little re%tilian brain thining, 9:ust tr# it budd#.;

!on"t sleep in the enemy"s lair. !ost snaes are nocturnal, so #ou don4t

want to let down #our guard come sunset. -on4t mae #our cam% in snaeterritor#. Avoid slee%ing near a log or large branch, in tall grass, or ne&t to

roc# areas. And of course i% u% #our tent tight. Snaes ma# have thosefierce fangs, but alas, the# lac an o%%osable thumb. /ee% #our boots inside

the tent 6most tents come with shoe %ocets7 and mae sure to i% the tentu% again in the morning, lest a snae invite himself in while #ou4re on a hie.

#ear heavy boots and pants. )f #ou4re going to be out e&%loring in theuncivilied wilderness, mae sure #our lower e&tremities are %rotected. 'eav#boots and %ants not onl# %rotect against fierce snaes but also #our anle4sother nemesis"tics.

Black Mamba

Fast, large and deadly, the Black Mamba is probably the most feared snake in all of Africa. They

grow up to 2 metres long and can move at a speed of 2km!hour.

Distribution & habitat:They occur in "orth #est, $impopo, Mpumalanga and "orthern

%wa&ulu'"ata. They are not found in desert areas and are only found along the coastline up to

around (ort )t *ohns. They dwell mostly in grass and bushes, but can be found in trees.

Identification:+live coloured to dark brown, they get their name from the colour of the inside of

their mouth which is black. The head is large but narrow and elongated, with the shape of a

coffin.


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Kind of venom:ts venom is the most rapid'acting venom of any snake species and consists

mainly of highly potent neuroto-ins.

What to do if bitten:f bitten, severe neuroto-icity often ensues. )ymptoms rapidly begin to

manifest, usually within ten minutes or less and include a rapid onset of diiness, drowsiness,

coughing or difficulty breathing, convulsions, and an erratic heartbeat. solate the bite as much aspossible by applying a pressure bandage and transport the victim to the hospital with the

greatest possible speed.

uff !dder


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#hile the black mamba is arguably the most feared snake in Africa, the puff adder should really

hold that title, as it causes more human deaths on a yearly basis. "otoriously lay and well'camouflaged, the puff adder does not sail away when sensing a person approaching, making it

far too easy to step on it and get a nasty surprise.

Distribution & habitat:They are widespread throughout Africa and are found from the )outhern

/ape all the way to the )ahara desert.

Identification:They are thick, heavy bodied snakes that are seldom over 0 meter long. The

head is large, flattened and triangular in shape. They vary in colour widely from blackish to brown

and have a row of backward pointing dark brown pale edged chevrons along their backs.

Kind of venom:/ytoto-ic and haemoto-ic. t causes severe pain and swelling in the bitten limb,

haemorrhages and nausea. +ne of the effects of the venom is that it causes the flesh near the

bite to die and fall away.

What to do if bitten:Apply a loose'fitting bandage starting at the bite site and working up the

limb. 1o not apply a tight bandage or tourniuet. %eep the limb lower than the victim3s heart and

get medical help as soon as possible.

"a#e "obra


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#hile they may not be the largest among the cobra species, these snakes are considered to be

highly dangerous due to their nervous and aggressive nature.

Distribution & habitat:They are one of the most common snakes in the )outhern regions of

)outh Africa and are found throughout the /ape (rovinces, Free )tate and )outh #estern

regions of the 4astern /ape. They prefer fynbos, bush, %arooscrubland and dry savannah

regions.

Identification:They vary in colour from reddish brown to olive brown, yellowish and black and

grow up to 0.5meters in length. #hen aggravated it is known to raise the forefront of its body off

the ground, spreading its hood and making a hissing sound.

Kind of venom:The /ape cobras venom is made up of potent postsynaptic neuroto-ins and

might also contain cardioto-ins that affect the respiratory system, nervous system, and theheart.

#hat to do if bitten6 Apply a pressure bandage and transport the person to hospital as fast as

possible. Breathing may need to be supported. 1eath can occur within 0 to 0 hours of being

bitten.

Boomslan$


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As the name suggests the Boomslang 7directly translated into 4nglish 8tree snake39 is very rarely

seen on the ground, as they prefer to dwell in trees or shrubs. They are e-tremely shy and

wouldn3t attack unless provoked.

Distribution & habitat:t is found throughout most of the country e-cept the "orthern /ape and

part of the Free )tate. t has a wide habitat range including lowland forest, savannah, grassland,

fynbos and %aroo scrub.

Identification:The average adult boomslang is 0'05 cm in total length, but some e-ceed 0:;

cm. The eyes are e-ceptionally large, and the head has a characteristic egg'like shape.

/oloration is very variable. Males are light green with black or blue scale edges, but adult

females may be brown. Boomslangs are able to open their it disables the bloodclotting process and the victim may well die as a result of internal and e-ternal bleeding. The

venom has been observed to cause hemorrhage into tissues such as muscle and brain. +ther

signs and symptoms include headache, nausea, sleepiness and mental disorders.

What to do if bitten:The venom is very slow acting and it can take up to 2? hours for symptoms

to appear. f bitten by a Boomslang, bandage the area and get to the hospital and receive anti'

venom.

%inkhals


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#hile it does not technically belong to the cobra family, the @inkhals has the ability to raise its

upper body, spread its hood and spit its venom like a real cobra.

Distribution & habitat:This species is found in the )outhern /ape province, northeast through

the Free )tate, $esotho, Transkei, %waulu "atal, )outh Africa, #estern )wailand and parts ofauteng. An isolated population is centered around nyanga on the&imbabwe'Moambiue

border.

Identification:/oloration varies throughout its distribution area, but a characteristic of the

species is the belly is dark with one or two light'coloured crossbands on the throat. Their average

length is '00 cm.

Kind of venom:The venom of the rinkhals is neuroto-ic and partially cytoto-ic. #hen

confronting a human, it generally aims its venom at the face. f the venom enters the eyes, it

causes great pain.

What to do if bitten:f you get sprayed with venom in the eyes wash the poison out with lots of

water and seek medical help. f you are bitten, bandage the affected area and seek medical help.

The bites are rarely fatal.

#iders

Black Widow


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Also known as a Button )pider, the Black #idow is probably one of the best known and most

widely distributed spiders in )outh Africa.

Distribution & habitat:Button spiders are found all over )outh Africa, and they usually reside in

uiet, dark places. #hile they rarely venture into houses, they do tend to lurk in less'used

domestic spaces like garages and sheds.

Identification:They have a trademark red hourglass on a very round, black abdomen.

Kind of venom:Button spiders have neuroto-ic venom, which means that it attacks the central

nervous system. +nly female spiders have fangs large enough to pierce human skin. )ymptoms

include severe muscle pain, abdominal cramps, hyperhidrosis, tachycardia, and muscle spasms

and usually last for ;'= days, but may persist for several weeks.

What to do if bitten:A person who has been bitten by a black button spider needs to behospitalised and treated with anti'venom.

'iolin #ider

Ciolin spider bites are e-tremely rare and mostly only occur at night while the victim is sleeping.

Distribution & habitat: They occur right across )outh Africa.


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Identification: These spiders arebrownish with dark markings on their bodies, as well as a

characteristic violin'shape on the front part

Kind of venom: They have cytoto-ic venom, which means that it destroys tissue. Bites are small

and painless, but after a few hours the site swells up and becomes discoloured, which is followed

by blistering and peeling of the skin D leaving an open wound.

What to do if bitten:t3s hard to detect a violin spider bite at first, until the skin starts rotting

away. There is no anti'venom and the best way to treat the wound is to have the dead flesh

surgically removed. Eup, it3s kind of gross.

ac s#ider

These are considered to be the most dangerous spiders in )outh Africa. They are particularly

aggressive and implicated in ='=G of reported spider bites.

Distribution & (abitat: )ac spiders are found right across the country and are known to make

themselves very comfortable in homes. As with Ciolin spiders, most bites occur at night while the

victim is sleeping.

Identification: They3re a pale yellow colour with a large abdomen and a black head.

Kind of venom: )ac spiders have cytoto-ic venom, which destroys tissue. nitially bites are

small and painless, however after a few days it is swollen and painful and eventually forms a

large lesion. There is no anti'venom for sac spider bites, but antibiotics are needed to treat the

infected tissue.

What to do if bitten:et to a doctor as soon as possible if you suspect you3ve been bitten by a

)ac spider. The longer you wait to be treated, the more infected the flesh will get and the longer it

will take to heal. (lastic surgery is sometimes needed to remove the damaged tissue.

Baboon s#ider

More commonly known as tarantulas in other parts of the world, these large, hairy spiders are

actually gentle giants. They aren3t particularly venemous, but have been known to give nasty

bites if they felt threatened.


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Distribution & habitat: Baboon spiders are found right across the country, however the one to

be most careful of is found in the #estern /ape.

Identification: $arge, hairy, mostly brownish, but with black accents on legs and body.

Kind of venom: "euroto-ic ' victims normally develop a burning pain in the area of the bite and

a few hours later start to vomit and show marked signs of shock, become pale and have difficulty

walking.

What to do if bitten:#hile victims may feel awfully ill for a while, bites are never fatal. Head to a

doctor for advice on how to treat symptoms.

Guide to Snakes Part 1: Know ThineEnemy (Mostly American snakes)

If you were a Boy Scout, you were probably taught an old mnemonic tohelp you identify venomous snakes:

Red and black, friend of Jack. Red and yellow, kill a fellow.Or in other words, if a snake has adacent red and black colors on its skin,

it!s not venomous" If red and yellow are adacent, that snake is venomous"But as a man, youre past simple maxims" #ou want to know how toidentify and name a snake" #ou want to know the habits of yournemeses" So, heres a description of the various poisonous snakesfound in North America and around the world.Coral Snake


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Know hine !nemy"$oral snakes are easy to spot by their distinctivecoloring" %hey have alternating, red, yellow, and black bands" &id you getthat' (ed and yellow are touching each other, meaning this bad boy ispoisonous" Be on the look out" here are counterfeit corals that havealternatin# red, $lack, and yellow $ands. hese arent poisonous.$oral snakes are shorter than other venomous snakes" %hey averageabout )* inches and have smaller mouths and fangs"

heir hideout"$orals are found in the southern and eastern +nitedStates, and in other places around the world" hey can usually $efound slitherin# in dry areas with lots of shru$s.%hey freuentlyspend their time underground or buried under leaf litter, and don!t pop outto say hello very often" #ou!ll see them most freuently after it rains orduring breeding season" %here are also some auatic species that loiter inyour favorite swimming hole"%ow mean are they&%hey!re not aggressive or prone to biting, but ifthey do bite-watch out" heir venom takes lon#er to deliver, so whenthey $ite, they hold on and wont let #o.Cottonmouth Snakes


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Know hine !nemy"%he $ottonmouth is one scary snake" .o one wantsto see it slithering toward them at their favorite watering hole"$ottonmouth snakes are usually around / ft in length, although some havegrown to a si0e of nearly 1 ft" %heir brown, gray, tan, yellowish olive orblackish coloring, is segmented by dark crossbands" 'hen threatened,cottonmouths will throw their head $ack and open their mouthwide, displayin# the white interior from whence it derives thename (cottonmouth.)

heir hideout"%he cottonmouth is an auatic snake found in the southand southeast part of the +nited States" $ottonmouths make creeks,streams, marshes, and lakes their home, although they can also be foundon dry land. Because of their a*nity to water, cottonmouths arealso known as water moccasins. $ottonmouths can be active duringthe day and night" But when it!s hot, they are usually found coiled orstretched out in the shade"%ow mean are they&&espite their vicious reputation, in many cases thecottonmouth!s hiss is worse than its bite" $ottonmouths often engage in ashowy threat display without attacking" %his routine includes shaking theirtail and letting a musky secretion rip from their anal glands" %he scent ofthis snake fart has been compared to that of a billy goat2 so if you smellgoat, 3ee in the other direction"

Copperhead Snakes


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Know hine !nemy"$opperhead snakes are identi4ed by their copperycolored head and neck" Adults reach lengths of / to ) feet"heir hideout"$opperheads are mainly found in the eastern part of the+"S" %hey make forest and woodlands their home" However, they do preferto live closer to water"%ow mean are they& $opperheads will only bite if they feel directlythreatened, i"e", if you try to pick up or touch them" But this contact can

happen inadvertently" +nlike many venomous snakes that usually slitheraway when humans are around, copperheads will free+e in place,often resultin# in humans steppin# on them and #ettin# $itten.Abite from a copperhead is e5tremely painful but is not fatal if treatedproperly"Co$ras$obras are probably the most famous of all the venomous snakes, thanksin part to 6ohnny and the gang at $obra 7ai &oo in the 7arate 7id" 8I hate6ohnny" 9hat a prick" Several species of cobras e5ist" 9hat they all havein common is the distinct ;hood< they make when they are threatened" norder to create this distinct co$ra hood, co$ras will -atten their$ody $y spreadin# their ri$s.he Kin# Co$ra


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Know hine !nemy"%he 7ing $obra is the world!s longest venomoussnake, growing to a length of between / and 0 feet 9ow0a= %heir olivegreen, tan, or black skin has pale yellow cross bands down the length ofthe body"heir hideout" 7ing $obras are found in South and Southeast Asia" %heycan also be found in some parts of India" 7ing $obras typically live indense highland forests near rivers and streams"

%ow mean are they&%he 7ing $obra is one scary mother" %he 7ing$obra doesn!t ust feed on small rodents, this $ad $oy is canni$alistic1it eats other snakes" 9hile the 7ing $obra is shy, it will attack if it isprovoked" %he venom from a 7ing $obra consists of e5tremely potentneuroto5ins that attack the victim!s central nervous system" A single bitefrom a 7ing $obra can kill a full grown Asian >lephant" It can kill a man inhalf an hour"he 2ed Spittin# Co$ra


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Know hine !nemy" (ed Spitting $obras vary in color from red to gray"%hey can grow to about ) feet in length" 'hat makes this co$rauni3ue is its a$ility to (spit) or pro4ect their venom at theirprey. 9atch out=heir hideout" (ed Spitting $obras are native to Africa are most common

in that continent!s northeast region" %hey make their homes in brush andforests" %he red spitting cobra is nocturnal, so make sure you 0ip up yourtent=%ow mean are they& ?ike the 7ing $obra, the (ed Spitting $obra is atimid and shy snake and will only attack when threatened" +nlike the 7ing$obra with its ultra to5ic venom, the (ed Spitting $obra!s venom is muchmilder" 9hile it may cause e5treme sickness, a bite from a (ed Spitting$obra will probably not cause death"%owever, if the venom #ets inyour eyes and is not treated 3uickly, it can cause $lindness so stilltake caution"

he Black 5am$a Snake

Know hine !nemy"%he black mamba is the largest and most deadlysnake in Africa" t also happens to $e the fastest movin# snake inthe world. In short, this snake is a killing machine" %he Black @amba getsits name not from the fact that it has black skin, but because it is black onthe inside of its mouth" he skin of a $lack mam$a is actually #ray toolive #reen.Black mambas can grow to a length of between and Cfeet"heir hideout" Black mambas make their home in the grasslands of

Africa" #ou can 4nd them primarily in the &emocratic (epublic of $ongo"%ow mean are they&Black @ambas are mean mothers" %hey will readilyattack when threatened" %hey!ll make multiple attacks, aiming at the headand body" 9ith each bite, they inect their super deadly venom" 6ne $itefrom a $lack mam$a has enou#h venom to kill /7187 men.%hevenom paraly0es the muscles used for breathing and the victimconseuently dies from suDocation"An important note" 9hile all this ;enemy< language is in good fun,snakes actually play a vital role in our ecosystem" 9ithout them, verminand critters of many kinds would overrun us" %hese tips should help youavoid snakes, not seek them out for destruction" +nless it!s a do or die

situation, leave the snake alone and move in the other direction"

Another source:

(erha%s the most feared snae in Africa is the Blac !amba. The#areAfrica$s largest venomous snake and can grow to between


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:ohns. The# are mostl# found on the ground and in grass and bushes, but areone of the most nimble of snaes and can be found in trees.

The Blac mamba is often olive coloured to dark brown and has a coffinsha%ed head. )t gets its name from the colour of the inside of its mouthwhich is blac. )t has hollow fi&ed fangs and can inect fast actingneuroto&ins which %aral#se. The# inect %owerful doses of venom and a man

can be dead within


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considered to be dangerous because the# are ver# nervous and aggressivesnaes.

The# are one of the most common snaes in the Southern regions of SouthAfrica and are found throughout the $a%e (rovinces, ree State and South*estern regions of the Castern $a%e. The# %refer f#nbos, bush,/arooscrubland and dry savannah regions . The# are mostl# active during

the da# and hide in abandoned holes and under %iles of bush when notfeeding.

The $a%e $obra raises the forefront of its bod# off the ground, s%reads itshood and maes a hissing sound. *hen in this defensive mode, it will readil#strie. )f #ou ee% absolutel# still, the snake will look for an escaperoute. )f #ou mae an# movement however it will regain its defensiveattitude and strie readil#.

The $a%e $obra will often venture into human habitations and is easil#

encountered. Their bites are highly dangerous though the mortalit# rate isnot nown. The# have %owerful neuroto&ins that cause %aral#sis and shuts

down breathing. )f bitten, a%%l# a %ressure bandage as #ou would andtrans%ort the %erson to hos%ital as fast as %ossible. Breathing ma# need to be

su%%orted. -eath can occur within 1 to 1 hours of being bitten. )f givenanti"venom the bites are often not fatal.

Boomslang 71ispholidus typus9

Boomslangs are found all over South Africa and has one of the few snaes in

its genus that is dangerous to humans. )t has large fangs and %otent venom.Boomslangs are usuall# between ' and '.( meters or ) feet long . The#

have ver# large e#es and a characteristic egg sha%ed head. The# are highl#variable in colour with males being light green to blac with blac or bluescale edges, and adult females brown or green. The# have the abilit# toinflate their nec when the# feel threatened.

)t is found throughout most of the countr# e&ce%t the 0orthern $a%e and %artof the ree State. )t has a wide habitat range including lowland forest,

savannah, grassland& fynbos and *aroo scrub . )t is ver# rarel# seen onthe ground, being usuall# found in trees or small shrubs.

The Boomslang is a ver# sh# snae that is not often seen and therefore bitesare uncommon. The boomslangs venom is haemoto&ic and victims die from

internal and e&ternal bleeding. The# victim can end u% bleeding from allorifices. The venom is very slow acting and it can tae u% to


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inhals are normall# active at night but will bas in the sun during the da#.The#prefer to live in wet grasslands and can be found at high altitudes.The# occur in the Southern $a%e, Castern $a%e, ree State and %arts of/wa@ulu"0atal.

Bites from the inhals are rare as most %redators and threats are %ut off b#them s%ra#ing venom in their e#es. ?ocal swelling occurs at the site of the

bite. The# usually spray their venom in a person$s eyes and this cancause tem%orar# or %ermanent blindness. )f #ou get s%ra#ed with venom in

the e#es wash the %oison out with lots of water and see medical hel%. )f #ouare bitten, bandage the affected area and see medical hel%. The bites are

rarel# fatal.

Moambiue spitting cobra 7"a


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treated with anti"venom. The# are found down the coast in /wa@ulu"0ataland the Castern $a%e.

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