Cobras keep snake rescuer busy in October

DURBAN snake catcher, Nick Evans had a busy start to October with rescues of four Mozambique Spitting Cobras in a single day, a Black Mamba retrieval from the ceiling of a Westville home and a Green Mamba sighting in coastal forest.

Evans, who was initially inspired by Australian Steve Irwin to become a conservationist, says that Mozambican Spitting Cobras are becoming active with the change of the seasons.

“Monday was a busy one as I had four cobra rescues: three in Westville and one in Clare Estate. Cobra season is September and October although they are active throughout summer. Cobras are generally less active in winter as they eat toads, and there are not many around in winter, but the toads are out now. It is cobra mating season; I usually catch a lot of adults at this time of the year as they are looking for females to mate with,” says Evans.

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The Spitting Cobras are commonly found by residents in eThekwini as there are many nature-conservation and green areas closely located to homes in the suburbs. In addition to toads, the species’ diet consists of lizards, rats and other snakes, which are plentiful in Durban and surrounds. Cobras are active in daylight hours and in the evenings.

According to Evans, Spitting Cobras are ‘highly venomous’ and their cytotoxin venom can cause fatalities. This snake species is responsible for the most annual snakebites in the country. Evans maintains that the wisest course of action to take should you find a snake on your property is to leave the reptile alone and call for the assistance of an experienced snake catcher. The conservationist says that domestic animals frequently encounter the reptiles first.

“We’ve had dogs spat at and bitten so it’s best for people to keep their dogs away from snakes. Unfortunately, it is usually dogs that find the snakes first, so if that happens people must try to call them away for their own safety. However, they should under no circumstances get between the dog and the snake.”

Cobras are infamous for their ability to spray venom as an effective self-defense mechanism. Should you, your family or pets become a victim of this practice, Evans advises washing the venom off the skin or flushing it from the eyes immediately, and then to seek urgent medical assistance.

Evans maintains that snakes prefer not to interact with people.

“Snakes are genuinely very scared of people and just want to be left alone. People should keep their properties clean by removing rubbish, piles of wood, or construction materials. The best deterrent for snakes is to keep your yard neat and tidy,” says Evans.

Enquiries: Nick Evans on 072 809 5806 or nickevans@gmail.com