Deep South Reptile Rescue

ANTIVENOM UPDATE – 1 June 2026

The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) / South African Vaccine Producers (SAVP) have released an updated production schedule for antivenom supplies.

According to the latest stakeholder communication:

• Polyvalent Antivenom – Expected release: 15 July 2026
• Scorpion Antivenom – Expected release: 19 June 2026
• Spider Antivenom – Expected release: 30 July 2026
• Echis Antivenom – Stock available
• Boomslang Antivenom – Stock available

This is welcome news for the medical, veterinary and conservation communities after ongoing concerns regarding antivenom availability.

While these projected release dates are encouraging, it remains important that snakebite incidents are treated as medical emergencies and that hospitals and veterinary practices continue to verify stock availability and treatment protocols.

We will continue monitoring the situation and sharing official updates as they become available.

Source: NHLS / SAVP Stakeholder Communication, 1 June 2026.

Herald snake
Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia
Mildly venomous

This picture of a Herald snake feeding on a gecko was sent to me for identification. Heralds have a mild venom that is not considered medically significant to people or pets such as dogs and cats. Their venom is mainly used to help subdue small prey like geckos, frogs, lizards and other small animals.

You can identify a Herald snake by the dark temples behind the head and the small white speckling visible along the olive-green body. Their colour can vary from lighter to darker shades, and some individuals show the classic red lips that gave rise to the name “Red-lipped Herald”.

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When every second counts, the right equipment matters.
The Venom Gear Bagging System is traditionally known as a professional snake handling tool, but it also serves another incredibly important purpose — emergency evacuation and disaster preparedness for keepers.
Imagine a fire, flooding, structural emergency, or any situation where you need to move animals quickly and safely. Multiple tubs can become bulky, time-consuming, and difficult to transport under pressure. A proper bagging system offers a faster, more efficient solution for experienced handlers.
The Venom Gear Bagger allows for:
Quick and controlled bagging
Safer handling during high-stress situations
Compact transport of multiple animals
Professional-grade reliability when it matters most
This is the kind of equipment you hope you never need — but when you do, you’ll be grateful to have it ready.
Massive respect to Venom Gear for producing practical, professional tools that support both field work and responsible captive management.