“What attracts snakes to your house” – Snake expert Dr Mark Ofua

Snake expert Dr Mark Ofua, veterinarian, conservationist, and educator, has revealed common reasons snakes are often found in residential homes in Nigeria.

In an exclusive interview with Legit.ng, Dr Mark, founder of Saint Mark’s Animal Hospital, explained that snakes do not naturally seek out humans, but human activity has brought them into closer contact with people.

Snakes Don’t Want to Be Near Humans

According to Dr Mark, snakes are primal creatures focused solely on survival.

“Snakes ordinarily don’t want to come close to people. It’s usually people who go to clear out the snake homes (forests) to build their houses,” he said.

He added that snakes have almost no concept of play or fun and interact with humans only when their natural environment is disturbed.

Snakes encountered in homes are typically on the hunt for food, fleeing danger, returning from a hunt, or sunning themselves to gain energy for their next hunt.

Human Encroachment Causes Conflicts

Dr Mark highlighted that human activities such as deforestation and construction are the main reasons for human-snake interactions.

He described this as human-wildlife conflict, stressing that snakes are reacting to changes in their habitat rather than targeting humans.

What Lures Snakes to Your Compound

The expert pointed out that certain conditions in homes and compounds can attract snakes. Rubble, leftover building materials like pipes, wood, and blocks provide ideal hiding spots.

Another key factor is the presence of prey. Rats, lizards, frogs, and even chickens can draw snakes into residential areas.

“Snakes will travel long distances following trails of rodents or other prey. If you have snakes in your compound, ask yourself why,” Dr Mark advised.

Steps to Take If Bitten

Dr Mark also shared safety tips for snake bites. He recommended moving carefully away from the snake to avoid another bite and, if possible, noting its appearance for medical purposes.

These tips align with his viral X post on February 1, which outlined seven crucial steps to follow after a snake bite.

Preventing Snakes from Entering Your Home

To reduce the risk of snakes entering your property, Dr Mark advised keeping compounds clean, removing rubble or leftover building materials, and controlling rodent and lizard populations.

In his words: “Snakes ordinarily don’t want to come close to people. It’s usually people who go to clear out the snake homes (forests) to build their houses.

Snakes ordinarily would want to have nothing to do with humans, but these incursions into their territories have caused an unavoidable interaction also known as human-wildlife conflict. Snakes are very primal creatures. They have almost no concept of play or fun or such.

Their senses are very basic, and if you come across a snake, it’s either on the hunt for food, running away from danger or returning from a hunt…or sunning itself in preparation for a hunt (they get energy from the sun).

As a result of this, if you have snakes in your compound, the question to ask is why? What have you done to attract them?

Has your compound created a safe abode for the snakes? Do you have rubble and leftover pipes, fittings, blocks, wood or other building materials that have created a haven for them?

The next question to ask is, do you have their prey/food in your house or compound? Snakes will travel great distances following trails of rats and other rodents, lizards, frogs and even chickens, and all these can attract them to your abode or just unfortunately, their path of travel just takes them through your home!”