“They Can Live With You”: Snake Expert Warns of Snakes in Homes After Ifunanya Nwangene’s Fatal Bite
- A snake expert explained that snakes can live in your home for years without you knowing they're there
- Dr Mark Ofua shared four warning signs that a snake might be hiding in your room or house
- The wildlife veterinarian's warning comes after Nigerian singer Ifunanya Nwangene tragically died from a snake bite
- Briefly News spoke to health expert Jayshri Rangasamy about what the best thing to do is if someone is bitten by a snake, especially if they cannot reach medical help immediately
Source: Facebook
According to an article by Legit, a snake expert has warned that you could be sharing your home with a deadly snake for years without even realising it. Dr Mark Ofua, a wildlife veterinarian and founder of Saint Mark's Animal Hospital in Lagos, shared important information about how to detect if a snake is living in your space.
The expert, who has been practising since 2014, explained in an exclusive interview with Legit that snakes are silent and primal creatures. They're smart enough to time your movements, know when you're out of the house, and can live undetected for years.
His warning comes after the tragic death of Nigerian singer Ifunanya Nwangene, who passed away from a snake bite. The incident has reminded many people about the very real danger that snakes pose when they enter homes.
Warning signs of snakes in your home
Dr Ofua pointed out four possible signs that a snake might be living in your home. The first thing to look out for is strange poop. Snake droppings look different from other animals, and if you spot them in your house, it's a clear sign.
PAY ATTENTION: Briefly News is now on YouTube! Check out our interviews on Briefly TV Life now!
The second warning sign is hearing rustling sounds in your storage room or cupboard. If you hear items or utensils moving around and you investigate but can't find anything obvious, it could be a snake moving through your belongings.
The third sign is hearing squealing sounds from prey animals like rats or frogs. When a snake catches something, the animal being attacked makes a specific sound as it tries to escape. If you hear that noise and investigate, you might discover a snake.
The final sign is hearing movement in your ceiling. Snakes often hunt rats in roof spaces, and the noise of them moving around up there is sometimes the only way people realise they have a snake problem.
Dr Ofua, who is also a passionate conservationist and founder of Pangolin Nigeria Trust, explained just how clever snakes are at staying hidden. They understand your routine, know when to move without being seen, and can go completely unnoticed for years if you're not paying attention to these warning signs.
Who is Dr Mark Ofua?
According to Daily Maverick, Dr Mark Ofua is known for his work rescuing animals from bushmeat markets in Lagos. He runs both an animal hospital and a pangolin orphanage, dedicating his life to saving wildlife and educating people about conservation. His childhood encounter with a cobra at age four started his lifelong passion for understanding and protecting animals, particularly snakes.
Speaking to Briefly News writer Nerissa Naidoo, health expert Jayshri Rangasamy explained what the most important thing after a snake bite is. She said:
"The best thing is to stay as calm and still as possible to slow the spread of venom in the body. Keeping the bitten limb still and lower than the heart, removing tight clothing or jewellery, and getting medical help as soon as possible is the next best thing to do. People should not cut the wound, suck out the venom, or apply ice, as these actions can make the injury worse."
Source: Facebook
More on snakes in SA
- Briefly News recently reported on a boomslang in the Western Cape that shocked South Africans with its speed and ability to jump.
- Cape Town authorities debunked viral claims that over 500 green anacondas were breeding in Zeekoevlei Nature Reserve.
- A hiker's experience with a puff adder in the Eastern Cape left social media users stunned.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
Nerissa Naidoo (Human Interest Editor) Nerissa Naidoo is a writer and editor with seven years of experience. Currently, she is a human interest writer at Briefly News and joined the publication in 2024. She began her career contributing to Morning Lazziness and later joined Featherpen.org. As a TUW ghostwriter, she focused on non-fiction, while her editorial roles at National Today and Entail.ai honed her skills in content accuracy and expert-driven editing. You can reach her at nerissa.naidoo@briefly.co.za
Jayshri Rangasamy (Medical Scientist - Pharmacologist - Clinical Team Lead) Jayshri Rangasamy, Fortrea's Clinical Operations Delivery Leader, oversees the company's Clinical Team. She has extensive experience in both infectious diseases (tuberculosis, Ebola, COVID-19) and non-infectious diseases (cardiovascular, endocrinology, and gastroenterology), as well as oncology (lung cancer, hematologic malignancies). Rangasamy, who holds a MS and BS in Pharmacology and Human Physiology from the University of Pretoria, is an advocate for empathetic leadership. She's also a certified Latin and ballroom dancer.
