Snake catcher removes three Black Mambas in Westville

IT was a busy day on Saturday (January 6) for Highway snake catcher Nick Evans. Evans and his friend, veterinarian Dr Carla Goede, responded to four Black Mamba calls in quick succession, all around Westville North, and they captured three.

Saturday was a warm day and a bit windy. Sunday was cooler with some rain. According to Evans, the day before the weather changes often sees an increase in snake activity.

He said the first mamba had entered an open kitchen window.

Also read: Nick Evans shares his exciting Black Mambas removal day

“One of the dogs at the property alerted its family to the snake’s presence, but fortunately, did not get too close to the mamba, which quickly hid behind a dishwasher.

“The owners promptly locked the dogs outside.” Evans emphasised the importance of keeping the dogs away from snakes.

“Of the three snakes, this one was the easiest to catch, a 2.2m male. We then went off to capture one in another kitchen. This mamba was hiding behind a washing machine and did not make for an easy catch like the first mamba.”

As the duo approached, it shot out from behind the machine in a panic and bolted behind the fridge.

“Carla and I stood on either end of the fridge trying to extract the frightened, fired-up snake. She eventually managed to pull it out of there and secure it. It was also around the 2.2m to 2.3m mark. She put the mamba in a bucket quickly, and we rushed off to the next call,” said Evans.

This Black Mamba had taken refuge in a garage roof, gaining access via a tree.

Also read: WATCH: Snakes of the 031 – the Night Adder

“The residents watched it for us from the outside in case the mamba made an exit, while Carla and I went in the garage and discovered that the mamba was in the middle of the roof, on top of the plastic sheeting.

“There were some holes where we thought it was. We hoped to extract it through those.”

Evans went onto the roof and soon spotted the mamba between the centre roof tiles.

“Fortunately, they were loose, making life a whole lot easier. I lifted them and got tongs on the mamba, while Carla used my 1.8m tongs to grab the mamba through one of the holes in the plastic,” he said.

Together with Dr Goede, they moved the mamba through the hole in the plastic and lowered it down into the garage, where Carla pinned it down.

“Another 2.2m-plus specimen with a meal in it – a rat, judging by the size.”

For snake removals, contact Nick Evans on 072 809 5806 or nickevanskzn@gmail.com.

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