T'is the season for snakes

We, ourselves, represent the most ferocious animal ever to inhabit the planet earth.

With summer here in Cape Town, not only do you have to be aware of sharks, but its also SNAKE season. The two snakes that are very much local to our area are the Cape Cobra and the Puff Adder. Both are extremely dangerous and can inflict serious damage if help is not immediately taken.

The Puff Adder is a slow moving lazy snake with a bad temper. This snake you will probably meet whilst hiking and almost stepping on it.When annoyed, it strikes vigorously in all directions and has the capability of a lightning-fast sideways strike without withdrawing the head. Fortunately it often gives warning of its intentions by hissing noisily. It relies on its perfect camouflage to escape detection and will rather freeze than move off. I think that it is a beautiful looking reptile.Here below are pics of Puff Adders.



The Cape Cobra is considered the most venomous African cobra, and is the cause of sudden snake bite fatalities. This snake is aggressive and will rear with its hood spread and advance in this posture if it is surprised or pursued.

Both feed on rats, mice, lizards, birds ( Cape Cobra) etc.

So now that I have mentioned the scary facts on these two beautiful reptiles, snakes play an extremely important role in nature and its really important that we conserve them.Someone as passionate for snakes as we are for sharks is Sean Thomas. First pic is of Sean with a Cape Cobra.He is an amateur herpetologist, who lives just around the corner from us, in Glencairn.(Nice snake territory!!), He has been involved with reptiles for over 22yrs and also does snake tour to teach people more about snakes and promote conservation of them.

Why not be brave and join him for a snake tour? His website is www.seanthomas.net

I think I will!!
Karen