Page 33 - may2021

Creatures in the garden

Most people when they hear the word “ Snake” suddenly fill with fear
and either run for safety or reach for something to beat these misunderstood
reptiles with. Snakes take a bad rap and a lot of it due to misinformation.

There are so many Myths that surround Snakes that strike fear into people. Some of these myths are:
Snakes chase people – No they don’t
Snakes move around in pairs – No they don’t
If you kill a snake its partner will come to seek revenge – No they won’t
If you kill a snake you need to burn it so other snakes are not attracted – Not true
Jeyes Fluid, oil, plants and commercial snake repellents keep snakes off your property – No they
don’t.

Snakes have a role to play in the ecosystem and without them we would be overrun by rodents. Snakes
are secretive and would rather be left alone. Of the 63 odd snakes in Botswana only 8 of the “highly
venomous” species have the possibility of causing a fatality. Those 8 are the Black Mamba, Snouted
Cobra, Mozambique Spitting Cobra, Anchieta’s Cobra, Cape Cobra, Boomslang, Twig Snake and the
Puff Adder.
Knowing the distribution of snakes helps to identify them as the habitat plays an important role as to
where they will be found. The behaviour of snakes also assists in identification - such as hooding in
Cobras; size too - as in short and stocky in Puff Adders. Colour and patterns can also help to identify
them. Whilst there are snakes that can inflict painful bites such as the Stiletto Snake and the Shield Nose
Cobra the majority are either mildly venomous, such as the Western Yellow-bellied Sand Snake (no
effect on Humans and Pets), or fangless snakes such as the Common Brown House Snake which is an
excellent rodent exterminator and common around households.

What do I do if I see a Snake?
From a safe distance of 4 or 5 metres, watch where the snake goes, if possible and again from a safe
distance get a photo to assist a snake handler to help identify it. Watch where the snake goes and keep
an eye on it until a snake handler can arrive to relocate it. Don’t try to kill it as you are putting your-
self in harm’s way by approaching the snake. An injured snake also makes a snake catcher’s life more
difficult.
How do I help keep Snakes off my property?
Keep yards clean and tidy. If you keep chickens or have a pond on your property you are inviting
snakes in by supplying them with food and water. Frogs in ponds are a great food source for Cobras,
rats will eat chicken food and snakes will follow. Some snakes will eat chicks and eggs (Snouted Cobra
love eggs, Mozambique Spitting Cobra and Black Mambas will eat chicks). Pythons will eat grown
chickens.
Snake Relocation Gaborone relocate Reptiles from Homes in and Around Gaborone.
We also do Snake Handling Training and Talks around the Country.
We are on Facebook at Snake Relocation Gaborone and contactable on
72141278/71926867/snakerelocationgaborone@gmail.com
Text & Photos by Sean Taylor 33