World Snake Day: What you need to know about them

By Emmanuel Mukasa

World Snake Day is a day for awareness, education, conservation, and above all celebration of how important snakes are in our lives and the ecosystem.

Snakes are classified into venomous and non-venomous. They are almost similar to lizards, turtles which are reptiles. They are scaly and cold-blooded, meaning no constant body temperature. They always look for both shade and sun to cool or warm themselves.

Where do snakes live?

They live in different places or habitats. Some snakes live on trees and others on the ground. There are some snake species that live underwater.
  
Are snakes harmful?

There are many types of snakes around the world but, surprisingly, a few are venomous while the biggest number is harmless to humans. Therefore, it is the few venomous ones that cause a lot of serious injuries to the human population.
  
Common snakes in Uganda

Jameson’s Mamba (Tema nkima) - highly venomous 
Forest cobra (Nswera) - Highly venomous 
House snake (mulya messe) - non-venomous 
Rock python (timba lwazi) - non-venomous 
Gaboon viper (salambwa) - venomous 

Facts about snakes
-Detect smell through nostrils however they have special smell detectors called the Jacobin’s organs.

-They have ears though they don’t have outside openings as those of humans. They use them to detect vibrations when they lower the jaw on the ground.

- Venomous snakes have fangs while non-venomous ones have teeth; for example the pythons and House snakes.

- A young venomous snake equally has the same venom as the adult one.

- Some female snakes store sperm for some time so that they don’t need a mate to have babies.

- Gaboon vipers have the longest fangs which are about 2 inches long.

Foods for snakes
Eggs for example the egg eaters
Snails for snail eaters 
Rodents etc

Snakebites

A lot of people are bitten by snakes every year. However, most times snakes bite because they feel threatened but also sometimes the bites are from snakes that are not venomous. Therefore, it is advisable to seek treatment for every snakebite.

How to survive snakebites 

One must seek medical treatment as soon as possible and the right anti-venom must be used in case the snake is identified or when the medical officer confirms it is a venomous snake.

NOTE: Do not seek help from a traditional healer 

Types of anti-venom

Mono-valent which treats bites from a specific snake for example a bite from Jameson’s mamba can be treated by that anti-venom that contains a product from its venom.

POLYVALENT Anti-venom treats a bite from an assorted selection of snakes may be from a particular region or area for example Gaboon viper, Rhinoceros Viper, Forest cobra etc.
    
Avoid being bitten

It is so safe and better for one not to get bitten by a snake because treatment tends to be expensive or even not available in a particular area.
 
1. Don't attack snakes. If you leave it you are safe; if you attack it you are in danger
 
2. Wear long jeans that cover your legs and put on long boots if in a bushy area.

3. Do not walk through tall grasses.

4. Do not catch a snake unless trained to do so.

5. Never pick a dead snake with hands because some snakes play dead 

6. Report any snake case to the concerned parties to avoid being bitten.

In Uganda most regional hospitals can treat snakebite and some private hospitals.

However, mass sensitization and education should be carried out in order to save our people from snakebites and saving snakes from extinction.
 
Mukasa is the managing director of Herp Fauna Foundation (u) Ltd