This is a question I am asked every day, particularly at this time of year, when there are a lot of juvenile snakes around.
The simple answer to that question is NO!
Here’s some insight into snake behaviour, which may help calm your nerves.
Most snakes come together to mate in spring. Most, not all. For instance, mambas mate during the winter months, which seems unusual for a snake to do, as one would think they’re ‘hibernating’.
ALSO READ: The role of snakes in our environment
It’s not nearly cold enough in Durban for snakes to need to hibernate, and Black Mambas have got food on offer all year around (rats). Puff Adders mate in late summer, as do Boomslang. But, for most snakes, they usually come together in September-November.
Female snakes leave pheromones behind, a scent trail. Male snakes pick up this scent using their forked tongue, and they then track the female down. They will then mate, usually in a hidden area, and after a day or few, they go their separate ways. So that’s ‘the dad’ out of the picture. You definitely don’t need to worry about him watching his babies.
Hatchlings disperse
Two months, or so, later, the mother snake will lay her eggs. Snakes usually lay their eggs underground, or under any suitable shelter.
Interestingly, snake eggs (which are leathery) stick together in a clump, when they’re laid.
Upon laying her eggs, a mother snake leaves them. She does not guard them. (The Southern African/Rock Python is an exception).
ALSO READ: Snakes and their babies: what you need to know
Another two-three months later, the babies start to hatch. The mother snake does not return at this time to fend for her young.
No, baby snakes have to defend themselves. When the babies hatch, they disperse. In their first week to ten days, the hatchling snakes generally don’t eat, but after the first 7-10 days, they shed. Then, they’re ready to eat.
If the young snake is a venomous species, like a Black Mamba for example, it has its venom from day one, the same venom as its parents.
No parental supervision
So, now, if you see a young snake, you really don’t need to worry about the parents.
They’re long gone! Sometimes, people do encounter a couple of baby snakes in a short period of time.
ALSO READ: Snake tales: Durban’s most common snake – the Spotted Bush Snake
This just may mean that the eggs were laid in your garden or close by, and that you’re just chancing upon dispersing youngsters. To find a snake’s nest is near impossible.
The little snakes are just looking for little frogs and lizards, and maybe even tiny rodents!
Baby black/grey snakes
If you see a tiny black or grey snake, that’s less than 50cm or so, it’s not going to be a Black Mamba.
Believe it or not, when a Black Mamba hatches out of the egg, it’s already 50cm-60cm long!
That’s a big baby! Also, mambas are ferocious feeders with a fast metabolism. They grow quicker than the other snakes.
And, with their shy and nervous nature, they usually (not always) manage to slither through properties undetected. Because of these factors, seeing a baby mamba is really rare.
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