ASI Newsletter - February 2020 

Spitting Snakes

There are two common spitting snakes in Southern Africa – The Rinkhals and the Mozambique Spitting Cobra. Spitting is an effective form of self-defence, as getting some venom into the eyes of the aggressor causes instant pain, giving the snake the chance to escape. Spitting snakes can eject their venom up to 3 m.

The Rinkhals is largely a grassland species, occurring from Gauteng into Mpumalanga, Eswatini (Swaziland), Northwest, the Free State, the Eastern and Western Cape. There is also an isolated population in eastern Zimbabwe. It is a shy snake that is quick to escape down a hole when encountered, although it is common on smallholdings and as a result, often gets cornered by dogs. It is quick to lift its head off the ground and form a hood, exposing the two or three whitish bars on the chest. Even then it will escape if given the chance. Bites to humans are rare, but dogs often get bitten.

The Rinkhals is common in the highveld grassland. 

Once it hoods, the Rinkhals will face its aggressor and spit while flicking the head forward. It can spit venom multiple times in succession.

The JM 150 Snake Tongs - still the best selling tong in Africa. This tong is ideal for removing problem snakes, especially on mines, game farms and game lodges. The extra 50 cm (compared with the JM100) keeps the snake further away from the handler and is thus far safer.  Price R1100.00

The Mozambique Spitting Cobra occurs from coastal KwaZulu-Natal just south of Durban into Mpumalanga, Eswatini (Swaziland), Mozambique, northern Gauteng, the Northwest, Limpopo, and further northward. It is a common and abundant snake with a potent cytotoxic venom, and accounts for most serious snakebites in Southern Africa. When cornered, it is quick to spit, usually after making a hood, although it may also spit from a concealed position.

Mozambique Spitting Cobra spitting venom.

There are three other spitting snakes in Southern Africa – the Zebra Cobra in Namibia and southern Angola, the Black-necked Spitting Cobra that just enters Namibia in the extreme north and the Black Spitting Cobra that occurs in Namaqualand and northward into southern Namibia.

Snake venom is designed to quickly immobilise prey and is generally not that effective for self-defence. No snake can kill a human within a few minutes, and if given the choice, venomous snakes will rather flee than bite. However, when stood on, snakes are quick to bite. Spitting, on the other hand, works well as the cytotoxic venom immediately causes a burning pain and temporary blindness, allowing time for the snake to escape.

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When snakes spit, they aim for the general direction of the eyes and are very effective. As the venom is projected toward the eyes, it sprays and invariably ends up in the eyes, on the face, chest and arms but only really does damage to the eyes. Venom in the face or on the arms, even if one has scratches, does very little as it is dispersed when spat. It can be washed off with soapy water. Even in the mouth, venom poses little threat. It is a protein and can be digested in the stomach, but it does have a bitter taste.

As venom enters the eyes, it immediately does superficial damage to the cornea and inflames the eyelids. The natural reaction to counter the pain and discomfort is to keep the eyes tightly shut, making it difficult to rinse them.

Venom in the eyes causes a burning sensation and inflamation of the eye. 

When spat in the eyes, immediately rinse the eyes gently with lots of water, ideally under a tap or with a hosepipe. The eyes immediately tear up, which already helps a little. The reason for rinsing the eyes is to flush excess venom – the damage is already done. Water works best, but if no water is available one can use any other bland liquid. Avoid milk and urine. Never rinse the eyes with antivenom.

An ASI Adult Resuscitator in the hands of a trained person, can be life-saving following serious snakebite envenomation. This quality product provides a good seal over the face and can also be connected to an oxygen cylinder. Price R695.00

Once rinsed, get the victim to a doctor, who will put some local anaesthetic drops into the eyes to bring pain relief and permit easier examination. Doctors use a dye called fluorescein to determine the extent of damage to the cornea and will then apply an antibiotic cream or drops to prevent secondary infection. Most victims recover fully within about three days and rarely have permanent damage to the eyes.

For pets, the same protocol applies. Immediately rinse the eyes with lots of water and get it to a vet. Dogs’ eyes swell closed very quickly, making it difficult to rinse with water.

There are many myths encouraging the use of Rooibos tea bags, urine, milk or other natural substances. Follow the advice given above and the outcome will be positive.

We're rolling out our new Snake Handling Bootcamps at our various training venues around the country. The Bootcamp is a paractical day of snake handling, giving delegates more experince in working with venomuous snakes and real life snake removal scenarios.

Delegates will need to have attended our introductory Snake Awareness, First Aid for Snakebite and Venomous Snake Handling course before joining a bootcamp. 

Our latest video on the Forest Cobra is now online! Check it out here.