“There are monsters in this here world, my sweetie.
They are called humans“
Poisonous Snakes of the Drakensberg Mountains
It
is wise for people who hike the Drakensberg to become familiar with the
types of snakes they are likely to encounter. The usual fear of snakes
can be greatly reduced by the ability to distinguish between the
dangerous and the harmless varieties. Many snakes are killed purely
because they are snakes, even though they perform a vital service to man
by reducing the number of rats, mice, slugs and many other pests.
Whether
or not one is likely to encounter snakes while hiking, depends upon the
time of the year, time of day, and the weather. During the winter
months, particularly after snow has fallen; it is unlikely that snakes
will be encountered. It is common knowledge that snakes hibernate during
the winter months. However, this does not mean that snakes will not be
seen during this time. During certain mild winters, especially on warm
winter days, snakes appear and bask in the sunshine, but at this time of
year they are sluggish.
Hikers are more likely to come across snakes in summer, particularly on hot days after a wet spell.
Most
snakes are harmless and will try and get out of the way, but if a
poisonous snake happens to be basking in the sun there is a good chance
of being bitten if by chance one stands on it. Vibrations are normally
picked up by the snake’s ribs, which contact the ground, and are
transmitted to the inner ear. In this way it receives the warning and
rushes off to safety. People walking barefoot run a greater risk of
standing on a snake, than the hiker with his heavy boots which give the
warning. Arboreal snakes do not receive the same warning as those living
on the ground.
The
early Natal Settlers treated snake bite by scarifying the tissue around
the puncture. They then poured gunpowder into the wound and set fire to
the powder! Do not try it today!
The
early Basotho believed that a dangerous snake, called “kuane”, lived
between the horns of the eland, and a legend still exists in Lesotho of a
snake, presumably a Berg adder, which is capable of jumping over a
horse.
Puff Adder (Bitis Arietans)
The puff adder is the most dangerous snake found in the river valleys and grasslands of the Little Berg, but is seldom found higher than 1800-2 000 meters. A mature adult is about 1 meter in length, is fat and has a flat triangular head. The color varies from yellow to brown on which there are chevron-shaped black cross bands on the back and tail. On top of the head there is a black patch which is separated from another patch on the snout by a narrow pale bar. There is also a black bar behind and in front of the eye.
Sluggish
by nature, it loves to bask in the hot sun, on paths, rocks and small
clearings in the grass and also under vegetation. Before striking the
puff adder inflates itself and puffs loudly to warn any intruder. Note
that the puff adder will not move away! Although it appears to be slow
moving, it is amazing how quickly it is able to strike. It usually
lunges forward, or even sideways, with mouth wide open and it sinks its
very large fangs, which measure up to 25 mm, into the lower leg, then it
immediately releases its fangs and prepares for the next strike, seldom
holding onto its victim. The bite is extremely painful and is followed
by shock, nausea, vision becomes blurred and balance is also affected.
Smell and taste may also be affected. If untreated, unconsciousness and
cardiac arrest follow, resulting in death.
Berg Adder (Bites Atropes)
Peculiar
to mountainous areas this adder is often seen on walks and climbs and
can be found anywhere in the Berg, but is more commonly seen on the High
Berg above 1800 meters. About 30-50 cm in length, it has atypical adder
head with nostrils directed upwards and outwards.
The
berg adder is slate gray to dark brown but lighter brown varieties are
found. On its back there are rows of black triangular or semi-circular
patterns edged in a lighter color with the apices of the patterns
pointing towards the vertebral midline. Below the base of these
triangles is a longitudinal line, light in color, running almost the
length of the body. Below
the line is another row of black patterns. On top of the head is a
black arrow-shaped mark with the point between the eyes.
This
aggressive adder is often seen on the paths, rocks or at the base of
plants and grass. Its first warning is a hissing noise followed by an
energetic strike throwing its body forward at the same time. Care should
be taken whilst moving through dead wood or alpine heath as berg adders
are sometimes found at the base of the plants. A bite on the finger
will create a problem at high altitudes.
The
venom is more neurotoxic than haemotoxic and the usual polyvalent anti
snakebite serum is contra-indicated. No tourniquet should be applied.
The onset of symptoms at high altitude is quicker but the bite from the
berg adder is not likely to be fatal if the necessary precautions are
taken. If the victim’s condition deteriorates cortisone is recommended.
The Berg adder lives on rodents and lizards.
Rinkhals (Hemachatus Haemachatus)
A
dangerous poisonous front-fanged snake, commonly found all over the
Berg and Lesotho from the river valleys to the summit plateau. It is
easy to recognize because as one approaches it rears, cobra fashion,
with hood expanded, and is capable of spitting its venom into the eyes
of anyone who ventures to near.
It
usually adopts this fierce attitude but is too keen to slip away. Also
take note that they sometimes play dead! Do not approach or touch in
this instance. During mating season they are particularly aggressive and
it is wise to give them a wide berth.
The
Rinkhals is about 90-120 cm in length, and varies in color from black
to dark brown, often with irregular cross bands which are also variable
in color. The older specimens are usually very dark. When it rears,
usually two to three pale bands can be seen on the throat. The fangs of
the Rinkhals are fairly short but are highly specialized, enabling it to eject venom by spitting as well as inject whilst biting.
The
venom is neurotoxic and a bite from the Rinkhals must be treated as a
serious emergency. If the Rinkhals happens to spit into the eyes, they
should be washed out immediately with water.
Night Adder (Causes Rhombeatus)
Seldom
seen but this does not mean that they are rare in the Berg. The night
adder is nocturnal by nature and it is possible that there are many more
than estimated. They have tendency to be attracted to damp places where
they feed on frogs, rats and mice, which satisfy their healthy
appetite. Sometimes they are seen basking on a rock, enjoying the early
morning or late afternoon sun, usually in the river valleys.
The
average size is 60 cm and the color varies from dark grey to light or
dark brown, or even pinkish brown, with typical dark rhomboidal
irregular markings. On the back of the head there is a characteristic
dark V pattern, the apex of which is between the eyes.
Not
nearly as poisonous as the puff adder, the bite from the night adder is
seldom fatal to humans. The fangs are supplied with unusually long
venom gland. Normally the night adder is docile and tends to slither
away to safety, but if provoked adopts an aggressive attitude.
There are some simple precautions to take that can help you avoid getting within striking range:
The
leader, and especially the person immediately behind him / her, should
be constantly on the lookout for snakes during the hot summer months and
in early autumn (when they go on a feeding frenzy in preparation for
their winter hibernation). Often the leader will disturb a snake and it
may go into a defensive pose ready to strike at any further threat,
which is very likely to be the next hiker in the queue! Beware of small
or sudden movements, and large contrasts in color.
The
poisonous snakes mentioned above do not like to be disturbed or
interfered with, and will try to give you plenty of warning of this. An
aggravated Puff Adder or Rinkhals will make a loud, drawn-out huffing
noise (haaaaaaaaaa), and the Rinkhals will also rear its head and form a
flattened hood which can extend a considerable distance down its body.
This noise is usually sufficient to grab anyone's immediate and
undivided attention! Beware of the Rinkhals - it can spit a lot further
than it can strike! The generally smaller Berg Adder will usually make
a higher-pitched hissing noise. Young Berg Adders appear to squeak.
Except
for the fat and sluggish Puff Adder, most snakes will be terrified at
your approach and will try to make a quick getaway. If you are walking
in single file, this gives them an almost 360 degree choice of route.
If you are walking in line abreast, this choice is drastically reduced
to less than 180 degrees. The
Puff Adder and Berg Adder adopt a defensive coiled posture if they feel
they cannot escape in time, while the Rinkhals will rear up and flatten
its hood. The adders can strike at an alarming speed, straightening
one or more of their coils in the process and thus extending their
reach, then immediately reloading their "spring" for the next strike
which might follow almost instantly! Do not approach a coiled snake!
The
leader can find a walking stick or pole useful in thickly grassed or
overgrown areas where he cannot see his own feet. Poking the stick
ahead of him, he can give any snake better warning of his approach and
allow more time for them to attempt an escape.
Avoid walking in dongas (eroded paths) where a snake might be able to strike you at thigh height or even higher.
Always
wear ankle-height hiking boots. Open sandals provide no protection
from snakes whatsoever. The author prefers to wear full-length snow
gaiters as well for various reasons, one of them being better protection
from snakes. Never assume it is safe to walk around barefoot or in
sandals outside your cave or tent!
When
scrambling up or down steep slopes, check carefully where you put your
hands. Berg Adders are fond of lying on small rock ledges, and climbers
are the most frequent victims of their bites.
Snakes
are most active at night, since this is when their food - consisting
mainly of frogs and rodents - is also most active. In summer, snakes
tend to spend the daytime heating themselves in the sun in preparation
for their night-time hunting activity, or - if it is very hot - lying up
in shade somewhere. It makes sense, then, that snakes are more likely
to be encountered at night, or in the early morning or late afternoon.
Avoid hiking at night!
Snakes
hibernate in winter but they do not go into deep hibernation like
mammals. On a hot winter's day they may leave their burrows to sun
themselves, so be especially careful in such conditions.
Always
check the ground in the area where you are about to sit very
thoroughly. Stamp around a bit before you sit - this gives a snake
further warning and the flattened grass will make it easier to check the
area. More than one hiker has been struck on the backside by an
irritated little Berg Adder, which can easily be mistaken for a twig!
As
terrifying as it sounds, if you get almost to within striking distance
of a Puff Adder of Rinkhals, it is best to freeze! Snakes do not really
want to bite you - they prefer to keep their venom for catching food,
and you're too big to eat! These snakes have poor vision and are best
at detecting movement. If you keep still they will usually calm down
and move off, although they might still adopt some form of defensive
posturing like huffing. This is exactly how they react when confronted
by large animals such as the Eland.
These
snakes might appear aggressive but they will not chase you even if they
could! Given half a chance they prefer to disappear from site within
as short a time as possible. If the snake is at a safe distance, simply
stop and make way for it. Then make a wide berth around the area where
you last saw it, and remember to tell the others at the back of the
line what area to avoid!
Never
attempt to catch or pick up a snake. The Rinkhals is usually so
reluctant to bite that it may even feign death, but this act will be
abandoned if you pick it up!
First aid
The
method for treating snake bite victims has changed considerably over
the years. Indigenous peoples have used the cut and suck method for
centuries, apparently quite effectively despite the considerable danger
to the person doing the sucking, although it has been suggested that
this treatment is largely psychosomatic since there is very little
scientific evidence that it may actually work. The carriage of a snake
bite kit containing antivenin was for years considered to be the safest
option, but antivenin has a short life-span in warm weather and its
effects can be every bit as devastating as the bite itself in people who
are allergic to it, especially when improperly administered. Recent
evidence suggests that the longer the use of antivenin is delayed, the
more likely there are to be complications, since the body - already
trying to deal with the poison - may be overwhelmed by the appearance of
yet another invasion. The use of a tourniquet is considered to be
ineffective and potentially aggravating, especially in the case of
cytotoxic (cell-destroying) poisons.
The
reason for the changing treatment of snake bite is that the exact
mechanism by which poisons spread through the body is not clearly
understood, but the latest research seems to suggest that the
slow-acting (viz. cytotoxic) poisons are usually distributed through the
lymphatic system. The cytotoxic poison itself is usually quite viscous
(i.e. syrupy) and its distribution requires that it be diluted in the
tissue fluid. Whether it spreads through the lymphatic system or the
circulatory system, it is obvious that any activity on the part of the
victim will assist in its distribution. While this may be desirable in
the case of a virulently cytotoxic poison such as that of the Puff
Adder, it merely speeds death in the case of a Mamba bite!
First
Aid courses now teach the use of a pressure bandage, where broad crepes
bandage is wrapped around the affected limb to restrict the spread of
the poison. This bandage should not be tied so tightly that it severely
restricts the blood supply to the extremities of the limb. Some snake
handlers recommend that a bandage not be used at all if the bite site is
very painful, since this is indicative of a cytotoxic poison whose
restriction to the area of the bite will assist it in destroying body
tissue there!
Cytotoxic
poisons may also cause rapid and severe local swelling, so unless it is
regularly loosened to allow for the swelling, a bandage will eventually
cut off the blood supply. An action that has been part of every
treatment, however, is the calming and immobilization of the bite
victim.
The
problem faced by hikers when confronted with a poisonous snake bite is
that help is often far away, and a helicopter evacuation may not be
possible because of the weather or the time of day. A cell-phone can
prove useful if you are carrying the necessary telephone numbers, but
cell-phone coverage in the Drakensberg is very poor due to the
mountainous terrain. It is essential to send someone to call for help,
preferably carrying a cell-phone and armed with the telephone number of
at least the nearest access point. Positive identification of the snake
will help determine the best course of action to take, but do not go out
looking for it or attempt to kill it! If in doubt about the type of
snake, rather err on the side of caution and treat the incident as an
extreme emergency.
But
forget about the things that grovel on the ground and lift your eyes to
the heavens, from whence cometh the most beautiful sights of the
mountains – the birds. You are very likely to not ever see a snake. I
saw one snake in 3 years of heavy terrain, hiking off footpaths and in
total wilderness areas! Enjoy the hike!
We as
hikers, explorers, and adventurers have the absolute duty to respect and
protect our Wildernesses. Nobody else will do it for us. Take ownership!
The End.
Safe Hiking.
References and Acknowledgements
Snake Photos – Google Photos / Snake Institute
Snake Information - “A Cradle of Rivers, the Natal Drakensberg” – David A Dodds
Best Walks of the Drakensberg – David Bristow
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