136 | Venomous Snakes in South Africa

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Hiral Naik, Research and Conservation Manager for Save the Snakes, for a fascinating discussion on venomous snakes and human-wildlife conflict in South Africa. Based in South Africa, Hiral recently completed her PhD on the ecology of venomous snakes and the dynamics of human snakebite incidents. The conversation begins with an overview of South Africa’s geography, climate, and the resulting distribution of its diverse venomous snake species. Hiral shares insights into the natural history and behavior of species like the Puff Adder and Mozambique Spitting Cobra, before diving into the complex issue of snakebite and how species ecology affects its prevalence and severity.

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