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Care with snakes and scorpionsCare with snakes and scorpions<img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Snakes%20and%20scorpions%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /><div class="ExternalClass797909A174124402A53495A2384C15E7"><p>Our rich and diverse environment means that Cape Town is home to a variety of wild animals – some of which can be dangerous.</p></div><h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​Dealing with dangerous snakes</h2><p>​Most snakes live in natural habitats like wetlands, fynbos and grasslands. In built-up city areas, snakes tend to live in more extensive natural areas but some species can survive in urban gardens. Most of these, such as the common Slug-eater are completely harmless and a great ally to the gardener. </p><p>Although many snakes are harmless, some are extremely venomous. It's important to know which ones pose the most danger to you, your family and community.</p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy light-blue bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info fastfact"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Fast fact</h4><p> A snake must regulate its body temperature by lying in the sun or cooling off in shaded areas. It is difficult to find snakes in the winter as they become very inactive during the coldest part of the year.</p></div></div><p>If you or someone else has been bitten by a venomous snake, you need to get to the nearest medical facility as quickly as possible. In most cases, there is a short window of a few hours before life-threatening symptoms develop. In Cape Town, we do not have a very wide range of poisonous snakes, but common ones to watch out for are the Cape Cobra, Puff Adder and the Boomslang.</p><p> <strong>Learn how to identify these: </strong></p><ul><li>Cape Cobras are reddish brown to olive brown, yellowish and black.</li><li>Puff Adders vary in colour from black to brown and have large, flattened triangular heads.</li><li>Boomslangs have large eyes, an egg-shaped head, and are green, black or brown.</li></ul>​​ <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p> Do not run after a snake bite - this sends venom through the body faster.</p></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​First aid for venomous snake bites</h2><ul><li>​​​​​<strong>Remain calm!</strong></li><li>Snakebite first aid depends on the snake’s venom and the bite symptoms. The most important thing is to act quickly and calmly and get professional help immediately.</li><li>Try to identify the snake (take a picture or make a mental note what it looks like). This will help the medical assistant in identifying how to treat the patient.</li><li>Call for help (ambulance) or get to a hospital as quickly as possible.</li><li>Tygerberg Poison Information Centre’s main function is to advise health care professionals and the general public on how to deal with acute poisonings, including snake bites. In an emergency, please call the 24 hour number on <em> <a>0861 555 777</a>.</em></li></ul>​​ <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​Scorpion stings</h2><p>Most southern African scorpions are relatively harmless to humans, and although they can inflict quite a painful sting, no other toxic effects are expected to develop. However, a small number of scorpion species can be life threatening. Children are especially vulnerable.</p><p>Scorpions with small pincers and a thick tail are more dangerous than scorpions with large pinchers and a thin tail. Most scorpions in South Africa are harmless, but the sting of one of the thick-tailed scorpions (Parabuthus sp.) can be life threatening.</p><p> <strong>If stung by a scorpion: </strong></p><ul><li> <strong>Remain calm!</strong></li><li>Call for help (ambulance) or get to a hospital as quickly as possible.</li><li>Tygerberg Poison Information Centre’s main function is to advise health care professionals and the general public on how to deal with acute poisonings, including snake bites. In an emergency, please call the 24 hour number on <em> <a>0861 555 777</a></em>.</li></ul><p>See our <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Personal-health/Health-emergencies/Emergency-numbers">Emergency numbers​​</a>.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​Get help</h2><p><strong>For bites:</strong> call the Tygerberg Poison Centre’s 24-hour number on <em> <a>0861 555 777</a>.</em></p><p> <strong>Snake removal</strong><br>To have a snake removed in Cape Town phone Shaun McLeod on <em><a>082 532 5033</a></em> or <em><a>021 945 4701</a></em>. If it is close to a City of Cape Town Nature Reserve, our staff can assist with removals. See all our <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/See-all-City-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Nature%20reserves">nature reserves</a> for contact details.</p>GP0|#2ba2d795-6dd7-4cff-bc2e-56faa1c2685c;L0|#02ba2d795-6dd7-4cff-bc2e-56faa1c2685c|Care with snakes and scorpions;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#300ca186-e247-4dc0-8f6d-e7e5dbe0f50a;GPP|#36dcb5fe-6bfc-4ae9-92d7-8bd08d1f6414;GPP|#af370586-9ba3-404a-9d6e-02066ca42752;GP0|#8a3dea52-ee85-40c2-a943-aaf5c65531e0;L0|#08a3dea52-ee85-40c2-a943-aaf5c65531e0|Care with snakes and scorpions;GPP|#c054577a-77b9-486b-9566-b8d2cb87c2b9;GPP|#df0a3405-0ca1-4617-8047-15a034219fee;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711;GP0|#662e3129-175c-4ca5-ab5f-52c76b37bb84;L0|#0662e3129-175c-4ca5-ab5f-52c76b37bb84|Care with snakes and scorpions;GPP|#0a4bd5be-45ba-4f29-9467-09eaac3d8884;GPP|#bdeab521-3d99-4e61-8a9d-b298f4037b2a;GPP|#c529c1ac-1f8d-48ae-8079-d34f4dae9c57Be careful of venomous or stinging animals and know how to respond in an emergency.

 

 

 

 

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