A German nationalist is in a serious but stable condition after she also sustained a bite from a vine snake in the Zeerust area just before 15h00 this afternoon. The patient was rushed privately to a local doctor for treatment. He then called for Netcare 911 paramedics to transport the patient to the Netcare Milpark hospital for specialised treatment.
People are to be very careful as these snakes prefer low shrubs and bushes were its cryptic coloration blends in with its surrounding. This snake is seldomly seen because of the camouflage and moves swiftly when disturbed. They can resemble a branch or twig when motionless in a tree and reach a length of 1.47 meters.
Things to be aware of :
a) It has a Lance shaped head with keyhole shaped pupils
b) Superbly camouflaged as a branch or twig
c) The vine snake inflates the neck showing the skin colours when confronted
d) They spend most of their life in trees and shrubs
e) The top of the snakes head is green or blue green
f) A red and black tongue is held out when threatened.
Venom
The venom of this snake is Dangerously Haemotoxic and similar to that of a boomslang. Bites are fortunately rare as there is no anti venom for this snake, Victims must be hospitalised as soon as possible.
Chris Botha
Netcare 911