Philip Wolmarans, son of local snake fundi Neville, had a close encounter with a black mamba last Tuesday which saw him spending a day in hospital.
The father and son team were at the Ndlondlo Reptile Park preparing to shoot footage of a black mamba on the ground. Philip was to handle the camera while Neville wrangled the snake.
“Philip was reaching out to pick up the bag (above the tie because black mambas notoriously bite through the bag) and as his hand got close to the bag the mamba struck, biting him on his right hand index finger,” said Neville.
They wiped the bite down to clear excess venom off the skin and away from the puncture wound and phoned Tracy Riley of Eco Balance Landscapes and asked her to contact Alberlito Hospital.
Neville continued to apply the standard first aid treatment and drove Philip to the hospital. The trauma centre staff was waiting for them and immediately started treatment.
“Having been to a few different hospitals for snake bites and seeing how little most places know about them I was really impressed to see the professionalism and efficiency displayed by Dr Patel, Dr Steer and his staff,” said the relieved father.
The Ballto Dolphins’ number eight was discharged twenty four hours after admission with a relatively clean bill of health.
The Wolmarans family said they would be forever grateful to the Alberlito Hospital and everyone that helped avoid what could have tragic situation for them.

According to Wikipedia the black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis), also called the common black mamba or black-mouthed mamba. This is the longest venomous snake in Africa and the second longest venomous snake in the world, behind the King Cobra, averaging around 2.5 to 3.2 m (8.2 to 10 ft) in length, and sometimes growing to lengths of 4.45 m (14.6 ft).
It is named for the black colour of the inside of the mouth rather than the colour of its scales which varies from dull yellowish-green to a gun-metal grey. It is also the fastest snake in the world, capable of moving at 4.32 to 5.4 metres per second (16–20 km/h, 10–12 mph).
The black mamba has a reputation for being very aggressive, but it usually attempts to flee from humans like most snakes, unless it is threatened. Without rapid and vigorous antivenom therapy, a bite from a black mamba is almost always fatal.