Local news

PICS: South Coast snake catcher has midnight wrestling match with python

The soaring temperatures have brought the snakes out! If you need a snake removed, contact Sarel on 082 6831604.

January 11, 2023
Shona Aylward 1 minute read
One big Monty!
Snake catcher, Sarel van der Merwe rescued a Southern African python in Trafalgar just after midnight on Wednesday, January 11.
Sarel van der Merwe with the python.
Sarel said he received a phone call at 00:15 for a Southern African python in Trafalgar, which was trying to get onto a property.
The homeowners were alerted by their dogs continuous barking.
The python caught the neighbourhood’s attention.
Sarel said it wasn’t the biggest python he has caught, but it certainly flexed it muscles.
“It was a wrestling match to get it into a bag. I released him today,” said Sarel.
Sarel van der Merwe carefully putting the python in the bag.
Interestingly, it has been said that while humans have between 700 and 800 muscles in their body, even the smallest snake has between 10,000 and 15,000 muscles in its body.
Not going into the bag without a fight.
Southern African pythons are protected as vulnerable in the latest South African Red Data Book, and may not be captured or killed.
In South Africa, it is the only one of its kind; a very large and bulky snake that cannot be easily confused with other snakes.
Sarel van der Merwe with the black mamba. PHOTO BY DILLION
Sarel has been super busy!
He recently nabbed a black mamba in Albertville in Port Shepstone.
“The mamba was playing hide and seek in a storeroom, that was as hot as a sauna,” joked Sarel.
“I first had to clear the bottom of the storeroom and work myself up to the shelves. He was flying like a rocket out of a box but I got hold of him,” he said.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram

At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
January 11, 2023
Shona Aylward 1 minute read

Support local journalism

Add The Citizen as a preferred source to see more from South Coast Herald in Google News and Top Stories.

Add as a preferred source on Google
Follow on Google News

shonaaylward

Shona Aylward is a vastly experienced journalist working as a senior reporter. Aside from her extensive community involvement and story writing, she is also involved in creative page layout, and the various media platforms. Shona began her career with Caxton at the Southlands Sun. Previous to this she worked in the marketing industry for surf magazines. Shona is a renown 'greenie' and champions environmental causes. She is also Mom to a number of dogs and cats, and the occasional uninvited snake. When she can find some spare time, it's usually to the beach that she heads.
Back to top button