I started with the usual tasks of the day and was settling in nicely when the call came through. HELP....S....S.....S.....SNAKE!
Well this is the first one for the Summer and I can just tell it will be a busy one! You see every summer I get calls about snakes in peoples gardens, sheds and even in their cars.So you may ask ..."well what has this got to do with metal detecting?" And my answer would have to be.."Quite a lot actually!" You see the hobby of metal detecting usually takes you right into their territory and you are the guest in the scenario. So I thought I would include this little story , and put in my two cents worth.
This leads me to the reason I have added this post here.PLEASE PEOPLE ! don't kill our snakes.
Snakes do not attack people, they are shy and will move away from you so if you're out detecting and you happen across a snake just leave it alone and move off in the other direction.
Making noise alerts the snake to your presence and allows it to move away before a meeting actually takes place.
Never attempt to capture or corner a snake if you are not fully prepared for the consequences and especially if you are not experienced in this field.
Find a herpetologist in your area and keep their number handy.
When out in the field wear protective footwear such as hiking boots. Although it won't protect you from a puff adder bite it will help with the other smaller fanged species.
Which brings me to another point....A basking or hidden puff adder is quite likely to remain put and rely on it's camouflage to avoid you....so KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR THEM! If you stand on it , the chances are it's going to have a go at you.
So why protect snakes....simple really, snakes generally eat the critters that we don't want around for example, mice rats and moles. So if you kill the snakes you are actually just increasing the food source and attracting ....you guessed it......more snakes.Some species of snakes like our Cape Cobra will actually feed on other snakes even from it's own species.
So you see there are a great deal more benefits to having snakes than may meet the eye.
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| This was taken in between a switch of hands, snakes should actually not be left unsupported or hanging when handling them, they are quite delicate and you can easily injure them |
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| Herpetologists should explain the importance of these creatures to their clients . Take some time to put the public at ease and give them some info on the species in question. |
For the past few years I have had the help of a man Friday named Moses. Moses was absolutely terrified of snakes when he first started with me. Well just look at him now! This morning was a serious breakthrough for him and he actually handled the snake. It just goes to show how education can completely alter a persons perception of something that they are really petrified of.
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| The spell is broken! |
Oh and please remember that even though a Mole snake is not venomous, it can inflict a painful and lacerating bite...often requiring more than a few stitches! But this is more with the larger specimens, and believe me I have seen some huge ones! Usually dark brown to black, these colours may vary according to age and location and even light beige specimens are found from time to time.
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| Pointing it in the right direction. |
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| I always make sure that it gets to a place of safety before leaving. |
So if you are out metal detecting or doing whatever it is you do in nature this summer, please respect the place of all creatures in the food chain. Leave snakes alone and they will leave you alone it really is as simple as that.
I am always available in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town and welcome pictures that you would like identified.
