ITS not everyday you get to stand face to face with a Mozambique Spitting Cobra, but recently local snake catcher, Nick Evans, was called out to rescue two of these dangerous – but seemingly cute – baby reptiles.
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By the photo it might seem that they are happy to see him, but the truth, says Evans, is they’re far from happy.
“I’m there to rescue them, but they don’t know that. They see me as a threat, and so they defend themselves by giving me a venom shower! Fortunately, they don’t spit as much as the adult,” he said.
He rescued one of two hatchling cobras in Westville on Saturday.
“There’s been plenty around over the past two months, as it’s the hatching season for them and most other snake species.”
“Don’t panic! The babies disperse after hatching, and the mother’s are not present,” said Evans.
He captured a mesmerising photo of the hatchling. In the photo you can see that pipe-like organ in the mouth.
ALSO READ: Cobra spits deadly venom at security guard
According to Evans, it is known as the ‘glottis’, which opens up into the trachea, which they breathe through.
“Nice way to see it I suppose, if you have goggles or a visor! That’s not where they spit from, they spit from their fangs.”
For snake rescues, contact Nick Evans on 072 809 5806.
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