Snakes slither out for Spring

AS expected, snake activity has been on the rise since the temperatures started increasing at the start of Spring.

According to Nick Evans of the KwaZulu-Natal Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Spring sees an increase in frog and lizard activity, so there’s more food for the snakes to hunt now.

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“It is also the start of the breeding season for most species, including the most common snake in the greater Durban area, the Spotted Bush Snake.”

“This thin green snake, with black spots, is causing quite a bit of worry and panic in the area, as they are appearing around homes in search of geckos. It is a harmless species, often confused for a Green Mamba (which does not occur in the Highway area). Harmless Brown House Snakes and Herald Snakes, as well as the venomous Night Adders, have also become frequently seen of late,” said Evans.

Evans said after many months, he finally caught a massive mamba recently.

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He removed a large Black Mamba from a garden in Headingly Avenue in Westville at the weekend. The snake had tried to move down the tree, but was chased back up the tree by two small dogs. This is when it was spotted by the neighbours, who alerted the homeowner to the snake’s presence.

“These kinds of encounters between pets and snakes often don’t end well for the dogs or the snake, so lucky the mamba was able to climb.”

“The homeowner and neighbours kept a visual on the mamba until a I arrived on scene. Some drama ensued, with the snake being unusually aggressive in its defense, but it was soon restrained and removed. It was released into a valley the following day, after being measured and microchipped (for ID purposes).  It turned out to be a female, measuring out at 2,75m. A very impressive specimen,” said Evans.