A spatial and temporal assessment of snake (sub-order Serpentes) occurrences in Windhoek, Namibia

Conflict between snakes and people in urban areas is a problem Windhoek shares with many cities around the world. Surrounded by farm and conservation land, this capital city of Namibia experiences regular snake occurrence in... [ view full abstract ]

Conflict between snakes and people in urban areas is a problem Windhoek shares with many cities around the world. Surrounded by farm and conservation land, this capital city of Namibia experiences regular snake occurrence in and around houses, gardens and industrial sites. This study used snake (order Squamata, sub-order Serpentes) removal data from the city’s designated snake removal institution, Snakes of Namibia, in order to determine numbers and diversity of snakes occurring in the city during the summer of 2015-2016, and identify possible reasons for conflicts. It would also provide a baseline for annual biodiversity monitoring with snakes as a proxy for ecosystem community dynamics. Over the period August 2015 to April 2016, 182 snakes of 12 species were removed from homes, gardens and industrial sites in the city. Puff Adder (Bitis arietans) which represented 35.52% (n=65) and Zebra Snake (Naja nigricincta) 28.96% (n=53) dominated removal incidents. Of the other species, only Brown House Snake (Boaedon capensis) 11.48% (n=21) and Boomslang (Dispholidus typus viridis) accounted for more than 10% of removals. Monthly snake removals correlated highly with monthly total rainfall, with highest number of incidents reported in January 2016 (22.53%, n=41). Incidents were concentrated in the eastern and southern suburbs, as a result of garden irrigation although the study could not determine whether reporting diligence was consistent across all suburbs. Although 80.77% (n=147) of snake incidents involved venomous species no snakebite incidents were reported during the period. The study provides a baseline for year-on-year monitoring, a useful parameter for the city’s biodiversity programme.