As ‘snake season’ approaches, a snake rescuer shares some helpful info we should all keep in our back pockets.
South Africa (05 September 2025) – In South Africa, snake season generally runs from early spring through late summer. That’s roughly September to April, with the peak months being October to March when temperatures are warmer.
It’s at this time when organisations like the African Snakebite Institute start to see an uptick in removal requests, as we start to encounter snakes more frequently in homes, on roads, and in busier locations where there’s foot traffic.
They come out of burrows, rocks and termite mounds to enjoy the sun with the rest of us.
Snakes are typically more active during this time because they’re just coming out of winter brumation (a kind of hibernation) and the warm weather boosts their metabolism and activity levels. Food sources are also more abundant and it’s the breeding season for many species.
It’s their Dezemba.
As we gear up to face snake season, local snake rescuer Wild Marik shares some helpful advice we should all keep in our back pockets.
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Keep an eye out for snakes in the warmer months. If you do happen to encounter a snake on your property or somewhere it shouldn’t be, the African Snakebite Institute should be your first port of call. Their website has a tool that allows you to share your location and in return, it will share the contact details of snake catchers in your area for safe removal.
Always call on an expert, even if you suspect that it’s not a venomous species. Don’t attempt to kill a snake (ever, please). It puts you in a dangerous situation. Instead, keep a safe distance and call a professional to deal with it in the right way.
With an antivenom crisis hanging in the balance, it’s really important to stay informed about how to act when encountering a snake. They’re not the bad guys, and by following the right steps, nobody has to get hurt.
“Let’s hope we can foster a better connection between snakes and people in the near future,” says Wild Marik.
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