One of the most common snakebites in the Lowveld is from the Stiletto snake, and largely because people mistake this snake for a harmless snake and pick it up.
It is a smallish non-descript snake, usually a dark brown to blackish colour, and it spends most of its life underground. But on warm summer nights, especially after rain, it emerges and can often be seen crossing roads.
Due to its plain appearance and blunt nose, it is often mistaken for a Mole Snake or one of the blind snakes. The Stiletto snake is unique amongst our snakes in that it has large fangs on the upper jaw that can be protruded out of the sides of the mouth, even when the mouth is closed. If you grab a Stiletto Snake behind the head (never a good idea with any snake) it merely twists it head sideways and a fang will get you. Otherwise, if gripped at midbody, the Stiletto Snake will thrash about with fangs already exposed, and there is a likelihood that you will get bitten.
The reason for these unique fangs is that this snake lives and hunts in underground tunnels where there is limited space. Should it encounter a lizard or other snake in the burrow, a fang will be pushed out of the side of the mouth and the prey will be envenomated in a stabbing action.
The venom of the Stiletto Snake is potently cytotoxic, causing severe pain, local swelling and eventually large blisters and necrosis. Most bites go a dark blue to purple colour within hours.
While the venom is not potent enough to cause human fatalities, the tissue damage is often severe, and many victims lose a digit or two after more than a week.
As there is no antivenom for the bite of this snake it is a matter of waiting to see what the outcome is going to be. Patients are treated for pain and should rest the affected limb. Both antibiotics and anti-inflammatories do not help and may cause additional problems. Early surgical intervention is also problematic and the golden rule is that doctors should not cut for the first six or seven days. After about one week it may be necessary to debride dead tissue or, in severe cases amputate a digit or two.
This snake is common where it occurs (largely absent from the Western and Eastern Cape) and is often found in swimming pools. Otherwise, small individuals may be brought into homes by domestic cats.
Whatever you do, never pick any snake up with your fingers, no matter how small it is.
Johan Marais is one of Africa’s leading herpetologists and is CEO of the African Snakebite Institute. He is a best-selling author, a compulsive photographer, and a travel addict. Check out the website on www.africansnakebiteinstitute.com – get your free App on the link http://bit.ly/snakebiteapp
