The victim of the snakebite received false information that he was not in danger because Facebook users mistakenly identified the Green Mamba as a harmless species, which delayed him receiving urgent medical assistance.
The incident occurred in the Bluff area after a resident discovered a homeless man who had killed a green snake. The man worked in the area and was apparently bitten by this snake. Concerned about the man's condition, the resident took photos of the snake and posted them on Facebook asking for identification.
Several commenters incorrectly identified the snake as a harmless Spotted Bush Viper. Snake catcher Jason Arnold, known as 'Snake Man,' stated that he saw the post and immediately recognized the snake as a Green Mamba.
Arnold told sundaytribune.co.za that he has been catching snakes and providing professional services to the public for 27 years, starting in 1999. He noted that he immediately understood the snake was a Green Mamba and noticed comments where people with evidently insufficient knowledge mistakenly named it a harmless Spotted Bush Viper.
Arnold recounted that the original poster seemingly accepted the incorrect identification and left Facebook. He immediately commented, informing the man that he was a snake expert and that the snake he posted was actually a highly venomous Green Mamba, and that the bitten person should go to the hospital immediately.
When no response came, Arnold tried to contact the man via Facebook Messenger and then asked other group members to provide his contact details. Two women who saw Arnold's warning joined the search and eventually managed to find the original poster's phone number.
Arnold contacted the resident, who reported that the bitten man was a homeless individual often seen in the area. Arnold advised the resident that the man required urgent hospitalization.
However, the damage caused by the misidentification had already occurred. The resident told Arnold that after several Facebook users identified the snake as harmless, he assured the bitten man that nothing would happen to him. 'The young man left confident that everything would be fine,' Arnold said. The resident then started looking for him in the Brighton Beach area but could not find him.
Arnold emphasized that the situation was particularly alarming because the man was homeless and could deteriorate without the presence of people who could recognize the seriousness of his condition. He added: 'In such a situation, he could have died, especially considering he is a homeless person without family or friends nearby so people could notice if something started happening and take him to a medical facility.'
Arnold warned that a serious Green Mamba bite can be fatal within hours. He explained: 'A Green Mamba bite is absolutely lethal if it is a full bite and a lot of venom is injected. It can kill a person anywhere between two and eight hours.'
He specified that the venom can affect the respiratory system and muscles, ultimately causing paralysis. Fortunately, the missing man was later found at an Engen petrol station on Tara Road.
Community response and CPF members received information that the man was in a garage and spread this information in groups. They managed to find him, examine him, and confirm that he had been bitten on the forearm.
Arnold reported that the man's arm had two swollen spots or nodules, and that he had previously complained of malaise and vomiting. Although the man looked relatively healthy, Arnold noted that swelling and vomiting are worrying symptoms after a suspected mamba bite.
'Due to the forearm swelling and vomiting, which are typical symptoms of mamba poisoning, I strongly recommended that he go to the hospital and remain under observation at least until morning,' Arnold said. The man agreed to walk to the nearby Wentworth hospital and wait there, even just in the reception, in case his condition worsened.
Arnold also warned that symptoms after a mamba bite can appear with a delay. He noted: 'You might feel absolutely nothing and seem healthy, and then suddenly start deteriorating a couple of hours after the bite.'
The man was later seen walking without obvious difficulty, although Arnold did not know if he remained in the hospital as recommended. 'He just walked very easily,' Arnold concluded. He added: 'There was definitely some intoxication, otherwise he wouldn't have experienced any symptoms, which means he received a very mild poisoning from this snake.'
This incident highlighted the dangers of relying on social media for snake identification, especially in a region where several types of green snakes can look strikingly similar. Arnold mentioned that several green snakes inhabit Durban, including the Green Mamba, Boomslang, Spotted Bush Viper, Eastern Natal Green Snake, Western Natal Green Snake, and Green Water Snake. He stressed: 'Only the Green Mamba and Boomslang are venomous. The others are completely harmless.'
He explained that identification is difficult because Green Mambas have no markings on their bodies and have a uniformly green coloration, like the harmless Green Water Snake. Arnold stated that even experienced people can make mistakes without sufficient knowledge, especially because some snakes change their appearance as they age. He urged the public not to rely on the opinions of strangers on Facebook or neighborhood groups when dealing with potentially venomous snakes.
Arnold strongly advised that even a small delay due to incorrect identification could be fatal. He warned that with a bite from a Green or Black Mamba, a person has very little time to receive medical help. He emphasized that even losing 20 minutes due to an identification error while staying at home could be a matter of life and death. Furthermore, he cautioned people against trying to kill the snake after a bite to take it to the hospital. Most importantly, he advised seeking immediate medical attention after a bite, rather than waiting for symptoms to appear. He recommended residents photograph or video the snake from a safe distance, maintaining visual contact until a professional snake catcher arrives.