Uganda, famously known as the “Pearl of Africa” is home to a vast number of wildlife species, including the creeping reptiles, the snakes. Despite playing a critical role in our ecosystem, snakes have continued to receive negative attention from humans, leading to their unwarranted killing.
At a time when so many animals are endangered, who will speak up for the snake? Calls for their conservation are muted by fear and prejudice.
In response to this threat, various stakeholders in Uganda have taken a proactive approach to conserve the snake species.
Our visit to some of the few places in Uganda that are set aside to the conservation of the unwanted included the Uganda Reptile village located in Entebbe was established in 2002 by Yasin Kazibwe, a reptile expert who has rescued over 40 different species of snakes.
Lawrence Lutaaya the Reptile Master and guide at the facility tells us about how his love for conservation of reptiles came about. He takes us through a journey of education, transformation and changing the residents minds about snake conservation.
This home for rescued reptiles is 3Km off the Entebbe road and every animal here can kill me, if they wanted to
“Snakes, just like any other animal, are part and parcel of our ecosystem and should therefore be treated with respect. Oftentimes humans are quick to write them off calling them evil and deadly but this is not the case. Over the years I have interacted with different species of snakes and I have found them to be gentle. Snakes will only attack you if they feel endangered in any way. Here in Uganda the most killed snake is the house snake. Most people at the sight of it will attack not knowing that the house snake is not only non venomous but also they help in getting rid of rats and mice.“
Unfortunately, their worth is often overlooked, and they are perceived as dangerous and harmful creatures. According to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Uganda has 133 species of snakes, with the most common one being the Spitting Cobra.
Among the snake species conserved at the Uganda Reptile village are mambas, cobras, puff adders and vipers, as well as chameleons, crocs and lizards, all of which are rescued or injured.
” Most of the snakes that we have here are rescued from within different communities. When it comes to our very own around the area because we have sensitized tem about the role snakes play in balancing the ecosystem they are quick to call us instead of attacking them. This is something we have been able to achieve as a community because we have always told the people not to harm snakes.”
We have an in-depth look at some of the snakes that are at the Uganda reptile village. We get to understand what and how often they feed and what to do when you come across some of these species.
Dendroaspis Jamesoni (Jameson’s mamba)
This is a shy, slender and quick green snake with an average length of 1.5 meters. They are rarely seen in Uganda, not typically aggressive and mostly found in trees. Symptoms of a poisonous bite are difficulties with speaking or other neurologic signs like loss of consciousness and trouble breathing.
Dendroaspis polylepis (black mamba)
This is a slender and shy, but unpredictable and powerful snake with colors varying from gray to dark brown. The inside of the mouth is black, which is why it is called black mamba.
Naja Nigricollis (spitting cobra)
This is a snake that is able to project poison at a possible threat . It is commonly found in Uganda, in particular near rivers and streams. It has the tendency to spit its poison with only the slightest provocation, but bites rarely. The poison is very irritating for the skin.
Brown House Snake (Boaedon capensis)
A large house snake with an obvious head and small body scales. It is uniform red-brown in color. Large, old snakes are darker, almost black. There are 2 pale yellow streaks on the side of the head.
The house snake derives its name from living near human houses and settlements to prey on the rodents that feed on human waste. While rodents are its main diet, the African house snake also feeds on lizards and small biAfrican house snakes are not poisonous and aggressive towards humans. They are generally nervous and skittish in nature and tend to flee in response to perceived threat.
African rock python (Python sebae)
Suffer from ophidiophobia or fear of snakes? If you do, avoid the African rock python.
The African rock python is a large, non-venomous snake native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of the six largest snake species in the world and is widely feared, though it very rarely kills humans. African rock pythons have a thick body covered with colored blotches.
They are very good swimmers and can stay submerged for long periods of time. African rock pythons are primarily nocturnal creatures, however, they may come out from their shelters during the day to bask in the sun.
Many times humans attack snakes even before they understand the kind of snake it is Lawrence sheds more light on this
” It is important that you don’t try to be your own hero, when you come across a snake first understand what type of snake it is. For the spitting Cobra before you can even blink your eye it’s venom is already at its tips and ready to attack. Also I encourage people to get more invested in learning and getting more informed about snakes. This way when one comes across a snake they are able to know how to handle themselves.”
What to do when you are bitten by a snake?
- Don’t panic! Try to squeeze the poison out of the hole and wipe it away in the first few seconds. Immobilize the affected limb (moving and sucking will make it worse). Don’t use a tourniquet to shut off the blood supply.
- If you see a snake, steer clear of it. Don’t try to pick it up or move it. If you leave it alone it will typically go on its way.
- Don’t try to kill it. Most snake bites occur when people are trying to disturb or kill a snake.
If you see a snake
- Leave it alone. Snakes are generally shy and will not attack unless provoked, so it’s best to leave them be.
- If you see a snake inside your home, get all people and pets out of the room immediately. Shut the door and fill the gap underneath with a towel, then call a professional snake catcher for assistance.
- If you see a snake outside, watch where it goes. If it’s heading for the bush or an open paddock you probably won’t see it again. If it disappears into a shed or under a vehicle, then you may need to call a snake catcher.
- Never try to catch or kill a snake yourself. This is when most bites happen.
- Remember that even little snakes can be dangerous. Baby brown snakes have venom from the time they hatch.
Despite being an essential part of the ecosystem, snakes are often misunderstood and associated with negative stereotypes, myths and beliefs that contribute to their decline. For instance, some people view snakes as dangerous and harmful creatures, leading to their killing on sight, while others covert them for commercial purposes, particularly the skin trade which is fueling the decline of some of the endangered species.Too many people in Uganda remain unaware of their critical role in the ecosystem, often seeing them as pests to be eliminated.
In recent years, snake conservation has become a hot topic among wildlife enthusiasts and environmentalists alike. The topic of snake conservation is essential and often overlooked as these creatures are typically feared and misunderstood. Snakes are an integral part of our ecosystem and play a vital role in the food chain. They help to control rodent populations, pollinate plants, and even help to maintain healthy soil by breaking down organic matter.
When snakes are eating, they swallow their food whole because they can’t chew.
- Also, snakes have very flexible lower jaws which allows them to eat animals who are 75% – 100% larger than their own head. Who said you can’t bite off more than you can chew?
- Only about 70% of snakes lay eggs, the rest have live births.
- Snakes don’t have eyelids and they don’t blink, ever.
- Snake skin is made of keratin, much like our hair and fingernails.
Unfortunately, because of their feared reputation, snakes have often been subjected to persecution, leading to a significant decline in their population. Poaching, habitat destruction, and the use of harmful pesticides are some of the factors that have contributed to the depletion of snake populations worldwide.
However, snake conservationists hope to increase awareness of the importance of these creatures and their essential role in maintaining biodiversity. In many parts of the world, there are organizations making great strides to protect snakes and their habitats through education and awareness programs, habitat restoration projects, and implementation of regulations prohibiting the hunting and trading of snakes.
WATCH STORY ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vLr4D76oEM&list=PL54iji-VaAbCjbXwKqa_cEmEqw7uZOln-&index=3
