“There Are a Lot”: 7 Puff Adders Caught in Cape Town CBD As Snake Activity Rises With Warmer Weather

• A snake handler caught several puff adders in and around Cape Town's CBD as warmer spring weather drove increased snake activity across the city
• Snakes are more prevalent in warmer months, and the Mother City appears to be a hot spot for some venomous vipers.
• Cape Town residents took to social media to share their concerns, with some warning others to stay alert in rocky and grassy areas

A snake handler in Cape Town caught seven puff adders in and around the city's CBD on 10 September 2026. The sightings prompted an urgent warning to residents as rising temperatures signal the start of peak snake season in the Western Cape.

Puff adders are among the most venomous snakes in Africa and are responsible for the majority of serious snakebite incidents on the continent. Their appearance in an urban centre like Cape Town raised alarm among locals, many of whom are unfamiliar with how to respond to a snake encounter.

Warning signs about snake sightings were posted by an expert. A post by snake rescuer Tyrone Ping on the Atlantic Seaboard Community Forum Facebook page revealed that he had caught five puff adders since 5 September 2026. He's since caught two more, for a total of seven in a short period.

Wildlife experts generally advise that warmer spring and summer months bring snakes out of dormancy. Most snakes are in search of food and mates, increasing the chances of human encounters.

Cape Town stunned by snake warning

Authorities and wildlife handlers are urging residents to contact a professional snake catcher rather than attempting to handle any snake themselves. The news drew a strong response on social media, with many Capetonians sharing their nerves and frustrations:

Charles Bernard Vorster commented:

"The more they get caught and released, the more they will become. There is no place for dangerous snakes where there are kids and people."

Lorraine Heneke said:

"I will just avoid going out where there are rocks and long grass."

StunningApricot4979 added:

"Thank you for the warning. I mentioned it to someone this morning. There are a lot, they are breeding."

Other Briefly News stories about snake encounters

• Limpopo youth Denzel Ncube sparked massive social media interest after unveiling his home collection containing over 15 large snakes stored in buckets and jars.
• Chilling footage recorded inside a wooden enclosure captured Africa's fastest venomous snake raising its hood and striking multiple times in quick succession.
• Neville's Snake & Reptile Rescue responded to an urgent call-out to safely capture a juvenile boomslang at a student residence in Alice.

Source: Briefly News