WATCH: Snakes of the 031 – the Black Mamba
The venomous snake is common in valley and nature reserve areas in Durban but is not known to be aggressive.
CAXTON Local Media has partnered with snake rescuer Nick Evans for a series called ‘Snakes of the 031’.
In this series, Nick will be introducing the most common snakes of Durban.
In the fifth part of our series, Nick speaks about the Black Mamba, one of the largest venomous snakes in the world.
According to Nick Evans, the venom of this snake is potently neurotoxic.
“They are extremely good climbers and elusively fast. They aren’t aggressive snakes as some would believe. They are actually shy and if encountered, will try to do everything they can to get away. These snakes are very common in Durban, especially in valley areas and nature reserves.
“More often than not, homes bordering these areas are likely to encounter them. The easiest way to identify the snake is its size – they are large, and you rarely see hatchlings. The average size of Black Mambas we rescue is between 2.2 to 2.5 metres in length,” Evans said.
Evans urged residents that should they see any snake, they should contact a professional rather than approaching the snake themselves.
“The best thing to do is monitor the snake and call in a professional,” he said.
Contact him on 072 809 5806.
For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
