Ophidiophobia, fear of snakes, is one of the most common phobias.
Snakes are found all over the world, apart from Antarctica and some oceanic islands. In East Africa, snakes are almost everywhere from the arid areas, savanna grassland, woodland, forests and moorlands, with some species found in the ocean. East Africa has some 198 species of snakes, both venomous (not poisonous) and non-venomous. Out this number, only 47 species are dangerously venomous, plus the two large pythons capable of killing through constriction.
Snakes have no eyelids. They smell with their forked tongues that retract into a sheath. They have no external ears. Most snakes have only one lung, the right side lung. They eat sparingly; some exist on about twelve good meals a year. A meal per month!
Most snakes lay eggs in a warm damp place. Some species however, give birth (viviparous). Examples include Sand boa, slug eater, Mole snake and most vipers.
The Rhino Viper (Bitis nasicornis), in Kakamega Forest. This one gives birth. It has a horn like a rhino
Snakes inject the venom through the fangs when they bite. Snakes are either front fanged (fangs located at the front of the mouth) or back /rear fanged (fang located at the back of the mouth). Some of the front fanged snakes have fangs that can be folded up against the roof of the mouth when they are not in use. Such species have some of the longest fangs, up to 2 inches.
There are three key types of venoms.
Haemotoxin venom that affects the blood cells.
Cytotoxin venom that affects the body cells including soft tissues and blood vessel walls.
Neurotoxin venom that has a more marked effect on nerves tissues than other body tissues.
The most dangerous snakes, also known as the big five snakes, in Kenya are; Black mamba, Puff adder (Kenya’s most dangerous snake), Boomslang, Cobra and African rock python.
Ever heard of milking the snakes? This is done by the snake experts. It involves getting the venom from the snakes’ fangs. The venom is used to make antivemon (antidote used treat those bitten by such snakes). Researchers have found out that some venom like that of black mamba can be vital component in drugs used to regenerate damaged nerves in amputated limbs.
Eastern Forest Cobra, Naja subfulva. Big, fast-moving dangerous elapid of Kenya's wooded lands. It has a powerful neurotoxic venom
Snakes play an important role in the ecosystem and food web. Wholesale destruction of snakes will upset the ecological balance. They play a major role in the control of disease carrying pests and crop raiders like rats, mice, bats and birds. The harmless brown house snake for example is a useful friend in the war against rodents around the home. Same with the beautiful harmless Mole Snake.
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