DAILY NEWS (Durban, S Africa) 19 December 06 Snake bite triggers alert (Miranda Andrew)
Reptile experts have warned that warm weather may drive more snakes into the coastal bush lining Durban's most popular tourist attractions - beaches.
The warning comes a day after a 28-year-old Durban man was bitten by a snake on Umhlanga Beach.
"Green mambas are common along the coastline, near beaches and hotels," said snake expert Craig Smith, of Fitzsimons Snake Park.
The victim, whose details have not been released, had been walking along the beach when a green snake bit him on his left hand. Suspicions that it could have been a green mamba were, however, allayed after the victim walked away from the scene without going to the hospital.
Craig Lambinon, spokesperson for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), said the man reported that he had been struck on his left hand by an unidentified green snake.
Although there were initial reports that the man had been taken to hospital, Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha confirmed on Monday that he was not admitted in hospital.
"The man refused to be taken to hospital and was therefore treated by paramedics at the scene," Botha said.
"There's no way it could have been a venomous green mamba," he said.
Smith warned that incidents can take place along the coastline, near beaches and hotels, and appealed to residents and visitors to be on the lookout for snakes.
"It is seldom that a snake would bite for no reason, because they are very scared of us," he said.
"If you are extremely close to a snake don't panic, just keep dead still because snakes can't see well. If they see any quick movement, they may regard it as a threat," warned Smith.
"If you are a few metres away, move away from it slowly and don't attack them," he said. And the most important statement Smith made was: "Don't kill the snake."
Residents can safely chase a snake away from their home by spraying it with cold water using a hose pipe.
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