Snakes are important in the ecology. They control rodent populations and are a valuable food source for predators. Snakes can survive months without food but can increase their food intake up to 20-fold during a rodent population explosion. A large snake can easily devour an entire rodent family in a single feeding session.

Snakes’ venom evolved, primarily to immobilise and kill their prey. To produce venom, snakes require energy which they source from meals. Snakes pose little danger to humans and choose to avoid us but will defend themselves when threatened. Stay at least five paces away to avoid being bitten. Standing on, hurting, or cornering a snake will trigger an attack. Some snakes, such as the Rinkhals and Mozambique Spitting Cobra, spit in self-defence as a deterrent, aiming for the eyes of a person or animal that comes too close. They will move away quickly afterwards to escape the perceived threat.

Take care when walking in the veld and use a torch when it is dark. Most snakebite victims are bitten well below the knee and usually at night. Do not kill snakes. If a snake in your garden or house poses a problem, call an experienced snake handler to remove and release it in a safe environment away from residential areas.