SNAKE!
It’s amazing how the words ‘snake’ or ‘shark’ spark the same reaction – instant hysteria!
For snake catcher Sarel van der Merwe rescuing reptiles is something he LOVES (with a passion) to do.
Sarel, from Pure Venom Reptile Park in Izotsha is a rather funny guy. Perhaps a sense of humour is one of the criteria when dealing with some of South Africa’s deadliest snakes.
“I have been on pension for 20 years. If I didn’t have this job, I would have no life, no teeth and no hair,” chuckled Sarel.
When asked if he isn’t scared of catching a black mamba, which has quite a fearsome reputation, Sarel replied, “No. Maybe I’m too stupid to be scared.”
Sarel, who lives in Shelly Beach, never has a dull day.
On a good day, he wakes up to an incredible sunrise over the ocean before he responds to any phone calls asking for help rescuing a reptile which could be anything from a mamba, a baby night adder or a slider turtle to a water lizard.
He might also conduct demonstrations at Pure Venom, at a school or children’s party, often showing off a highly venomous snouted cobra, previously known as the Egyptian cobra.
He most recently removed a green mamba from a home in Sunwich Port.
“An elderly couple returned from shopping to find a two-metre ‘big green’ wrapped around their security gate. They couldn’t have asked for a better security guard,” joked Sarel.
A third green mamba was removed from the notorious ‘snake pit’ room in Merlewood. “The room was full of rats, and rodents attract snakes,” he added.
On Tuesday this week, he put a smile on the faces of the staff at the Department of Human Settlements and Infrastructure when he rescued and released a rock python from their workshop in Port Shepstone.
What should you do if you see a snake in your garden? “Run, if you spot a black mamba,” laughed Sarel.
On a serious note Sarel advised that you watch the snake. Yes, keep a close eye on it, as there have been many incidents when he has responded to a call only to find the snake has disappeared.
“Please don’t call me and then go watch 7de Laan. If you call me to come and remove a snake, keep a close but safe eye on it.”
Anyone who has a problem with a snake can contact Sarel at 082 6831604.
How do you tell the difference between a green mamba or a common bush snake?
Green mamba:
* Glossy grass green in colour.
* Highly venomous snake, its venom consists of both neurotoxins and cardiotoxins.
* The smallest of the four species of mambas, most green mambas are adult at six to seven feet in length.
* As it is with all mambas, the elongate, flat-sided head is often referred to as coffin-shaped.
* It is shy and non-aggressive and will usually make a getaway if it feels threatened unless it is provoked.
* The green mamba, as well as the boomslang, have a green underbelly and are much fatter snakes than the spotted bush snake and Natal greens.
Sources: www.greenmambasnake.com / www.reptilesmagazine.com
The spotted bush snake and Natal green:
* Spotted green is green with black speckles. Natal green is plain emerald green colour.
* Both are graceful and fast moving snake but completely harmless.
* The spotted bush snake, as well as the Natal green, have a white or very light green underbelly.
Black mamba:
* Just two drops of potent black mamba venom can kill a person. Black mambas have a neurotoxic venom, which shuts down the nervous system and paralyses victims.
* Back mambas are actually brownish in color, ranging from olive to greyish tones, with paler bellies.
* Extremely toxic and the fastest land snake in the world.
* Longest species of venomous snake in Africa and the second longest in the world.
* Black mambas have coffin-shaped heads and are lithe, athletic snakes. According to National Geographic, they can grow to be 14 feet long (4.25 meters), though their average length is around eight feet (2.4 m).
Source: Jessie Szalay, Live Science Contributor
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