Myths, Hoaxes and Viral Posts

Myths, Hoaxes and Viral Posts

“Poisonous snake vs Non-poisonous snake”

Viral Posts “Poisonous snake versus Non-poisonous snake” Another misleading viral post doing the rounds on social media “Poisonous snake vs non poisonous” (Most snakes are considered venomous and not poisonous,…

“The Black Mamba Snake”

Viral Posts “The Black Mamba Snake” Another viral image filled with misinformation. Firstly the photograph is not of a Black Mamba – looks like an Australian Red-bellied Black Snake. The Black…

Free Handling Puff Adders

Viral Posts Free Handling Puff Adders Another popular video and the man free-handling three Puff Adders is reportedly from Northwest Province. Not just does he freely handle and even kiss…

Snakes and bite marks

Viral Posts Snakes and bite marks Misinformation doing the rounds on social media again. Fang marks are rarely useful in diagnosing a serious snakebite and few snakes leave two distinct…

Hypnotizing snakes

Viral Posts Man “hypnotizes” cobra A video clip of a man ‘hypnotizing’ a cobra has been doing the rounds on the social media for quite some time. There are a…

Snakes and vibration

Myths and Hoaxes Snakes and vibration Snakes do not have external ears and lack a tympanic membrane. The inner ear, however, is well developed and despite popular belief snakes respond…

“Harmless vs Venomous”

Viral Posts “Harmless vs Venomous” Another image doing the rounds on social media is this one. Telling users how only venomous snakes have a single row of scales after the…

“Poisonous versus Non-poisonous”

Viral Posts “Poisonous versus Non-poisonous” Another misleading viral post – “Poisonous vs non poisonous” (Snakes are considered venomous and not poisonous.) The line illustration pointing out the differences between ‘poisonous’…

Can Puff Adders strike backwards?

Myths and Hoaxes Can Puff Adders strike backwards? It is a popular myth that it is safe to stand in front of a Puff Adder as they have fangs on…

Giant Anaconda

Viral Posts Giant Anaconda Several photographs of a giant Anaconda/Reticulated Python have been doing the rounds on the social media since 2010. In some of the photographs the snake is…
African Snakebite Institute