Bitten by deadly mamba, Durban man told snake was harmless
Snake expert Jason Arnold has warned of the potentially deadly consequences of incorrect snake identifications after a bitten man was initially reassured he was not in danger.
A Durban man who was bitten by a snake and initially told it was harmless received dire warnings from snake expert Jason Arnold after turning to social media for help. The man had encountered the snake in Durban’s Bluff area, killed it, and posted a photograph on Facebook, seeking identification. However, many users misidentified the snake as the non-threatening Spotted Bush Snake.
Seeing the incorrect responses, Arnold stepped in, warning the man that the snake was actually a highly venomous Green Mamba, and emphasized the need for immediate medical attention. Despite the man's reassurance that the snake was harmless, Arnold informed him that he had to be taken to the hospital right away. After Arnold contacted the man, it was revealed that he had already been reassured the snake was harmless and had left home, walking around Brighton Beach.
Arnold and his team later found the man at an Engen garage on Tara Road. Although the victim seemed well at first, he reported feeling unwell, vomiting, and having two raised areas on his forearm. Arnold urged others not to offer snake identifications unless they are certain, and to rely on reputable snake handlers for help in emergencies.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
