A teenager has captured footage of Mozambique spitting cobra crossing the uMhlanga promenade into the vegetation near the Breakers Hotel.

This isn’t the first sighting of a spitting cobra on the promenade but it is the first sighting since 2022.

Chanan Medalie (15), who was on holiday from Joburg, spotted the venomous snake, and said he was surprised by the snake cruising along.

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“I was walking along the promenade looking down at my phone and initially I didn’t realise the snake was there. It didn’t take any notice of us and calmly crossed into the dense vegetation. I knew not to approach or try and antagonise the snake,” he said.

Snake rescuer Jason Arnold explained he hoped to relocate the snake as it’s a nocturnal species and could pose a danger to walkers at night.

“Spitting cobras occur naturally near the Hawaan Forest, which would be an ideal habitat for them. I’ve been looking for an elusive cobra along that section for a while but I’m not sure it’s the same snake.

“I do fear for its safety if people react badly to it. It would be better to relocate it to an area away from people due to the fact that they are nocturnal, so it will mostly be active after dark where it will be harder for people walking in the area to spot it,” he said.

Arnold said that the best way not to get bitten by a snake is to not interfere with it.

“Snakes only become scared and defensive when they are put in a position where they feel their life is being threatened. The best thing to do is call a professional,” he said.

For any snake-related activity, contact Arnold at 082 745 6375.

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