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This thread discusses the Content article: Revisiting the Ian Miller incident

It is a common belief that there are only three types of dangerous snakes in the Berg, the Puff Adder, Berg Adder and Rinkhals. A couple of years ago, while hiking in the Highmoor area, I came across a dusty straw-coloured snake about 1 metre in length. Not recognising it as anything dangerous, I poked with my walking pole in the grass next to it, where-upon it stood up, formed a hood, hissed loudly and then struck at the pole! Needless to say, I got the message and backed off rapidly.

A few months later, while attending a snake talk by Mark Edmonds from Underberg, he mentioned that he had encountered Cape Cobras in the Berg. I think I turned quite pale! Had I been aware of this during the encounter, I would instantly have recognised it for what it was! The Cape Cobra is probably even deadlier than the Rinkhals; it certainly needs less encouragement to bite!

Mark is an Honorary Officer and a part-time snake catcher who removes venomous snakes from residential properties in the Underberg area. You can contact him on 072-2375422.

Thanks for passing that on Dave! Certainly something to be aware of. I've just Googled it to familiarise myself with what they look like - can recommend everyone do the same.

What altitude was the Cape Cobra?

Supposedly the Puffies and Rinkhals don't venture up much past 2000m. I've only ever seen Berg Adders above that.

good to be aware of these things...thanks for the info!

I will be keeping a good lookout for all snakes

Ian Miller

this incident was long ago, and i have no data (medical reports, autopsy results), and i am also no expert, just opinionated!

but consider this scenario. ian muller was not bitten at all, or bitten by a harmless animal, or bitten by a snake that did not inject its venom, and the antivenin killed him. this is a distinct possibility.

even if he had been bitten, antivenin is snake specific, and the story admits that the snake was never identified. i was taught, if bitten, you must kill the snake, and bring it to the hospital. i was also taught that no serum should be injected until signs of poisoning are evident, except for the adder family, in which the window is short, perhaps as short as 10 minutes.

yes there are poisonous snakes in the wild, and i have seen plenty, even nearly stepped on a puff adder, who reared up, hissed twice, and let me go. snakes are hardly the biggest danger in the berg, or anywhere. lightning is far more likely to kill you, and hypothermia even more likely than that, and i am sure my list is very lacking, and of course stupidity is probably the greatest danger of all (i'm ribbing myself here!).

mr. miller's phobia meant he carried antivenin - i never do. the trouble with antivenin is that it is a powerful toxic drug. i know i do not have the expertise to administer it and monitor the effects. so i take the calculated risk that snakes will leave me alone, as they are want to do. so far so good!

last, snakes and other wild creatures add to my enjoyment of the berg. i certainly love seeing snakes. they get the heart and mind a-fluttering.

keep a good lookout for all snakes, then jump for joy (or to get out the way) when you see 'em!