Spring has properly arrived on the West Coast. The wildflowers are out, the days are warming up — and the snakes are awake. Last week we spotted not one but three different species in the greenbelt along the Daisy Walk: a Cape cobra, a puff adder and a boomslang. If you walk, run or take the dog along the Daisy Walk, now is the time to pay a little extra attention.
None of this is cause for panic. Snakes have always been part of life in Langebaan and the West Coast National Park, and they want nothing to do with us. But all three of these species are venomous, so knowing what you're looking at — and what to do — matters.
Why Now? Snake Season on the West Coast
From roughly September to April, rising temperatures bring snakes out of their winter slow-down. Spring is particularly busy: they're hungry, they're looking for mates, and they're out basking on warm paving, paths and rocks in the morning and late afternoon. Greenbelts like the one along the Daisy Walk are ideal snake habitat — thick fynbos cover, plenty of birds and rodents to eat, and sunny open spaces right next door.
The Three Snakes We Saw
| Species | How to recognise it | Venom | Behaviour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape cobra Naja nivea | Slender; yellow, golden-brown or dark brown, often speckled. Spreads a hood when threatened. | Neurotoxic — very dangerous | Active by day, moves quickly, often raids bird nests. Will usually flee if given space. |
| Puff adder Bitis arietans | Thick, heavy body with pale chevron (V-shaped) markings; flat, triangular head. | Cytotoxic — very dangerous | Relies on camouflage and does not move away. Most bites happen when someone steps on one. |
| Boomslang Dispholidus typus | Large eyes, short head. Males often bright green or black-and-yellow; females brown or olive. | Haemotoxic — slow-acting but serious | Lives in trees and shrubs, very shy. Bites are rare and almost always from handling. |
Cape cobra
The cobra in our video is a classic Cape cobra — a beautiful golden-brown snake that is common across the Western Cape. They hunt birds, rodents and other snakes, and are often seen near weaver and sparrow nests in spring. If you meet one, stand still, then back away slowly. A raised hood is a warning, not an attack: give it room and it will leave.
Puff adder
The puff adder is the one to really watch for on paths. Unlike most snakes it won't get out of your way — it lies still and trusts its camouflage, often right on the edge of a path or in the sand. Watch where you put your feet, especially at dusk on warm evenings. (Read our earlier puff adder sighting report for more.)
Boomslang
Boomslangs are tree snakes and spend most of their time hidden in shrubs and branches, so you're more likely to see one at eye level than at your feet. They are extremely shy. Its venom is slow-acting, so any bite needs hospital treatment even if the person feels fine at first.
⚠️ Seen a snake? Don't approach, photograph up close or try to move it. Keep people and pets well back and contact the African Snakebite Institute (ASI) to find a trained snake remover near you. Let your neighbours know too.
Staying Safe on the Daisy Walk
- Stay on the path and avoid walking through long grass and thick fynbos.
- Keep dogs on a leash. Curious dogs are bitten far more often than people. (See our post on dogs on leash in Langebaan.)
- Wear closed shoes, not flip-flops, and take a torch if you walk at dusk or after dark.
- Watch your step around warm paving, rocks and path edges in the morning and late afternoon.
- Keep your hands out of bushes, and check before you sit down on a rock or log.
- Supervise children and teach them to stand still and call an adult if they see a snake.
If Someone Is Bitten
Stay calm and keep the person as still as possible. Remove rings, watches and tight clothing near the bite. Do not cut the wound, suck out venom, apply ice or use a tourniquet. Note the time of the bite and, only if it is safe, what the snake looked like — but never try to catch or kill it. Then get to the nearest emergency unit in Vredenburg as quickly as possible.
For any medical emergency, dial 112.
Get Help With a Snake: The African Snakebite Institute
If you need help with a snake — whether it's one in your garden, one on the path, or you just want to know what you saw — contact the African Snakebite Institute (ASI). They can put you in touch with a trained snake remover near you and offer expert advice on snake identification and snakebite first aid.
| ASI resource | What it does |
|---|---|
| ASI Snakes app (free on iOS & Android) | Snake identification guide, snakebite first aid, and a directory of snake removers near you. Download it before your next walk. |
| africansnakebiteinstitute.com | Snake information, safety resources and snake-awareness courses. |
Respect, Not Fear
Snakes play a vital role in keeping rodent numbers in check around Langebaan, and seeing one is a reminder of how wild and special this corner of the West Coast still is. Enjoy the Daisy Walk, enjoy the spring flowers — just walk with your eyes open for the next few months. If you'd rather enjoy the lagoon from the comfort of your couch, the live cam is always on.
Spotted a snake in Langebaan? Have a look at our snake sightings guide, and let us know what you saw and where.