Snake catcher rescues pregnant Black Mamba
The pregnant snake rescued in Queensburgh was a little over 2m in length.
A PREGNANT Black Mamba was rescued in Queensburgh on Wednesday, September 6.
The Black Mamba was caught by local snake catcher Nick Evans with help from his friend, Dr Rowan Leeming.
This was good news for the snake catcher as he said it has been an exceptionally quiet winter for him.
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“Life is starting to get interesting again,” he said.
According to Evans, the Black Mamba had been seen basking in the same place for a few weeks.
“It would bask below some boulders next to the driveway. The homeowners grew a bit concerned that it may decide to venture up into the property one day, so they asked me to take it away.
“I was lucky to have my friend, Rowan, a wildlife vet who does extremely important work in northern KZN, available to lend a hand.
“Leeming assisting in the translocation of various species, assisting with research and saving animals in distress, including endangered species, makes him an invaluable member of the conservation community. He also happens to have a keen interest in snakes and has been in ceilings to help me with mambas before,” said Evans.
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When the two arrived at the spot where the snake was, they peered over the boulder and saw the mamba looking back at them. “I was sure it would dash off. I decided to try my luck anyway, having no other option.”
Evans climbed down slowly, and fortunately, the mamba barely moved. It was still early, and it hadn’t been out long.
“I managed to grab it with two sets of tongs and passed the tongs and mamba up to Rowan, who held onto it for me while I climbed back up to pin it down. The pregnant snake was a little over 2m in length.
“I’ve never seen a gravid [pregnant one] earlier than November,” he said.
For snake removals, contact Nick Evans on 072 809 5806 or email nickevanskzn@gmail.com.
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