BEWARE: It's snake season in the Garden Route

It's snake season in the Garden Route, and we met with Justin Godwin of Garden Route Snakes & Removals to find out how we can keep ourselves and our pets safe.

- Marguerite van Ginkel

Godwin is a local snake expert with over 30 years' experience in dealing with snakes.

Snake season in the Garden Route generally spans from September/October to April, aligning with the warmer months when snakes emerge from hibernation. During this period, they are more active while foraging and mating, leading to increased sightings.

Here's what Godwin had to say about staying safe this season:

George Herald (GH): What is the most important thing to remember when confronted by a venomous snake?

Justin Godwin (JG): Leave it alone. Freeze, stand still or take a few steps back. Most snakes, when given the opportunity, will flee. If you are close enough to catch or kill a snake, you are close enough to get bitten.

GH: What is the correct procedure for safely removing a snake from a property?

JG: Contact a professional. Keep your eyes on the snake, but maintain a distance of three or more metres. Keep pets and people away. If the snake tries to escape, let it move off and note where it goes, but do not attempt to stop it.