He was taking photographs of his red spitting cobra when it spat venom at him
A GRAHAMSTOWN snake collector, who had a large number of snakes at his home, has died after one of them reportedly spat venom in his face.
Shaun Henry Moolman, 29, was taking photographs of his red spitting cobra (Naja pallida) on Sunday afternoon when it spat at him, said police spokeswoman Captain Mali Govender.
Govender said Moolman received medical assistance at his home but died shortly afterwards.
"He had permits for 89 snakes in total," added Govender.
The permits were for venomous snakes such as black mambas, white Egyptian cobras, western diamondback rattlesnakes and Asian spitting cobras.
The red spitting cobra is a beautiful but highly toxic snake that grows to about 120cm in length.
It is not indigenous to South Africa but is a primarily East African snake, said Rhodes University herpetologist Dr Chris Kelly.
Kelly said that although the snake’s venom was very toxic, it was "highly unlikely" that Moolman would have died from the snake spitting its venom into his eyes.
"It can sometimes cause temporary or even permanent blindness but is highly unlikely to result in death.
"I think a full report is necessary before we even try to speculate on what might have happened."
See more from our sister newspaper, the Daily Dispatch
.
Snake collector dies after pet cobra attacks
He was taking photographs of his red spitting cobra when it spat venom at him
A GRAHAMSTOWN snake collector, who had a large number of snakes at his home, has died after one of them reportedly spat venom in his face.
Shaun Henry Moolman, 29, was taking photographs of his red spitting cobra (Naja pallida) on Sunday afternoon when it spat at him, said police spokeswoman Captain Mali Govender.
Govender said Moolman received medical assistance at his home but died shortly afterwards.
"He had permits for 89 snakes in total," added Govender.
The permits were for venomous snakes such as black mambas, white Egyptian cobras, western diamondback rattlesnakes and Asian spitting cobras.
The red spitting cobra is a beautiful but highly toxic snake that grows to about 120cm in length.
It is not indigenous to South Africa but is a primarily East African snake, said Rhodes University herpetologist Dr Chris Kelly.
Kelly said that although the snake’s venom was very toxic, it was "highly unlikely" that Moolman would have died from the snake spitting its venom into his eyes.
"It can sometimes cause temporary or even permanent blindness but is highly unlikely to result in death.
"I think a full report is necessary before we even try to speculate on what might have happened."
See more from our sister newspaper, the Daily Dispatch
.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos