Daar is goeie redes waarom slangvangers die publiek waarsku om nooit ‘n slang op te tel nie, selfs al lyk dit dood.
Slangvanger Nick Evans sê sommige slange, soos die gevaarlike rinkhals, maak asof hulle dood is om hulself te beskerm. Maar selfs slange wat ernstig beseer of sterwend is, kan steeds skielik aanval. Evans vertel hoe hy onlangs ontbied is ná ’n hond ‘n Mosambiekse spoegkobra aangeval het. Al het die slang op die oog af dood gelyk, het dit onverwags omgerol en na sy hand gepik toe hy dit wou optel. Hy kon betyds wegtrek, maar sê dit was ’n belangrike les.
Lees hier wat Evans sê:
NEVER pick up a ‘dead’ snake!
It is quite well-known that some snakes, such as the highly venomous Rinkhals, will roll over and play dead, when they are in fact very much alive. This is one reason not to pick up a seemingly dead snake.
Today I got a big wake up call as to why you don’t pick up actual dead or dying snakes. I went out to collect this Mozambique Spitting Cobra, which had been mauled by a dog (dog had been spat at but had eyes thoroughly rinsed out). I could see in the photo sent to me that it was game over for the snake, but the body could be used for a research project we’re working on. When we arrived, the homeowners managed to scoop the dying snake into an HTH bucket, the number one choice used by the public for putting snakes in.
Anyway, I can’t post the pics of the snake. It’s too brutal. Its organs were out, internal cavity very visible, skin ripped off, spine severed. It was on its back taking its last few gasps of air. A horrible sight. Below is the least gruesome pic I could post.
I thought that this snake wouldn’t move, so I reached for the tail to put it in a packet, to transport home for euthanasia and then to keep temporarily in the freezer.
Well, did this snake snap into action! It rolled over and struck at my hand! I pulled my hand away just in time. A split second slower and it would have bitten me!
It was unbelievable how it got the energy and strength to do that.
It would have been simpler and safer to use tongs, but I thought it was just about dead. I won’t make that mistake again. Fortunately I was watching the head and was focused. Still, a silly move.
Posting this as a wake-up call to fellow snake-catchers, in case they ever get careless like that, and to the public. If your dog has killed a snake, please do not pick it up. Do not pick up a live or a dead snake – just call a professional.
