With summer here, snake catcher Sarel van der Merwe has been EXTREMELY busy, racing up and down the coast rescuing dangerous (and not-so-dangerous) snakes.
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On one occasion Sarel had to abandoned his Sunday roast to go and rescue a green mamba from Illovo Sugar Mill, as this ‘big green’ had a sweet tooth and seemed to be after a few spoons of sugar.
Sarel said that last week he needed a 4×4 rather than his trusty Toyota Yaris to get to Mvutshini, inland from Margate.
A green mamba had scaled the palm tree, which led to Sarel having to cut a few branches, then climb a rickety wooden step ladder and nab the mamba in front a screaming audience.
Not all call outs are mamba-related, and Sarel recently got an early morning call to rescue a Natal black snake in Margate. Sarel said the Natal black snake’s diet included frogs, lizards and small rodents.
This snake is easily mistaken for a purple-glossed snake but differs in that it has single subcaudal scales whereas the purple-glossed snakes have paired subcaudals. Little is known about the venom, as the snake rarely bites. There is no antivenom for this snake, so parents please note it’s not a pet
And… Sarel has all the fun!
He also recently got a call out to rescue a green mamba trying to get in through the window of the spa at San Lameer Hotel.
“I’m sure his plan was to get into the Jacuzzi with the girls. Girls, don’t stress, you can go back to the spa now, I’ve removed the snake,” he chuckled.
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