SIZZLING summer is here – and so are the ssslithering sssnakes who like to go rogue around the abode in reptile heaven Zululand.
And while locals are not unfamiliar with encountering some wayward sneaky belly creepers in the grass on the odd occasion, a Wildenweide resident was left speechless – and not willing to talk about it – when arriving home to a welcoming party of 10 spotted bush snakes at the door last week.
Not that they came knocking. It was rather a case of the uninvited guests ‘messshing’ around like undecided politicians on a wire.
Fortunately the ‘Green Party’ members making many surprise appearances in the region are harmless.
But those that could be bringing danger to the door should be closely observed from a safe distance.
Richards Bay snake catchers Alfie Marques and Jan Combrinck shared some pointers on how to act after the initial freak-out
‘My advice is to keep an eye on it and immediately contact a snake catcher.
‘Do not delay as there is a very small window period to catch it,’ says Marques.
Combrink agreed.
‘Once you spot a snake, stay calm and firstly ensure children and pets are kept at bay.
‘Observe its movements to inform the snake catcher where to find it. Do not confront it.
‘Snakes do not want to fight. Their first instinct is to hide and they only retaliate when they feel threatened.
‘In the case of spotted bush snakes, they are the most prevalent in our area and it is important that people know what they look like and realise they are harmless.
‘Residents must also understand when I charge them for a call out – it is a business to catch and release snakes with the assistance of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.’
• Snake catcher numbers: Jan Combrinck 083 4607661; Wayne Rawlinson (Mtunzini) 076 7324499; Alfie Marques 082 7043917; Zephian Alberts 082 3218425.
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