Imagine sitting at your desk and spotting a massive snake slithering under your chair. Most people would probably do what Simeon Combrink did: Jump up, freak out and start recording.

A video of the encounter was posted on Arnold van Wyk’s Facebook page on Friday and, by the time of writing, had garnered more than 413 000 views. The viral video prompted Caxton Network News to reach out to Combrink, a computer programmer who shared his account of events.

The moment the snake appeared

Combrink, who works remotely, was visiting his parents’ house in an eco-estate in Mbombela when the incident occurred.

He says the video in question was taken on October 8 at 15:30 and that, although he has seen and even handled a few snakes in his life, this experience surprised him.

“I had just finished an online meeting and heard a ‘shhhh’ sound while playing music on my headphones. I checked behind me and then noticed a snake was under my chair, sailing past,” he shares.

Mere seconds passed before Combrink decided to start recording the video that has since gone viral. He mentions that after recording a bit, he went to check on his parents’ miniature poodles, as the day before, the dogs had barked at a snake at their compost heap.

He said he suspected the snake was hunting, as it was moving quickly. One of the dogs had been close to the snake, while the other, frightened, ran to domestic worker Linah Vilakazi. He added that the snake may have been in the area because small antelopes are present there.

Combrink estimates that the snake was about 4m long and quite thick.

Removal

Fortunately, the snake was safely captured and released about 2km from the house.

Combrink says snakes are common in the area and that about a week ago, another much smaller python was seen in front of their yard.

He adds that people have joked he codes in Python – a computer programming language often used to build websites and software, automate tasks and conduct data analysis.

“Yes, I do,” the man, who is set to get married in a week, jokingly adds.

Expert weighs in

Lowveld Venom Suppliers director Chris Hobkirk told Caxton Network News that the snake is a southern rock python and appears to be a large female.

“She’s very wide at the hips, which means she is probably gravid, meaning she has eggs,” he said, adding that he doubts the snake was hunting Combrink’s parents’ dogs, as they don’t feed at this time.

Hobkirk said there are two possible scenarios for the animal’s behaviour: The snake was looking for a place to lay her eggs or, if she was not pregnant, was attracted to the house by the scent of the dogs.

“In my professional opinion, she was looking for a place to lay eggs,” he said.

Hobkirk confirmed that these pythons are very strong. “Our rule of thumb is to add a person for every metre of snake, to help you.”

Protected under the law

He added that the species is listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which means they may not be killed, and a person may not own one – or even its skin or a tooth – without a permit.

“You can also not catch or remove the snake without a permit,” Hobkirk said, adding that most of the catchers in Mbombela have completed his course on capturing and handling these pythons.

Watch a video compilation:

Videos supplied by Combrink. Follow him on Instagram @simsscave.