THE Bluff snake catcher, Warren Dick, successfully caught a massive Mozambique spitting cobra at a chicken farm in Silverglen, Chatsworth on February 17.

Also read: Mozambique Spitting Cobra spotted and rescued in Yellowwood Park

Dick said the snake had been roaming the farm for roughly three months, preying on the large number of rodents.

While the farm owners appreciated the snake’s natural pest control abilities and noted that it did not interfere with the chickens, concerns arose when it moved too close to the workers’ area. To prevent any accidental encounters and potential snake bites, they made the responsible decision to have it safely relocated.

“The snake was huge, maybe not a record length, but the girth of it was thicker than my wrist. It had been living the good life there,” said Dick.

The rescue

The rescue was not without difficulty, however. Dick described the effort as a “nervy tug of war” while he carefully coaxed the big-bodied cobra from a pipe. Despite the struggle, he was able to pull out the snake and had it transferred to a more suitable environment.

Highlighting the role of snakes on rodents, Dick added that non-poisonous snakes are beneficial.

“A few years ago, I started having problems with rats in my yard, so I introduced large brown house snakes into the garden, no more problems with rats but obviously one does not necessarily want a deadly snake around if you have pets or children,” said Dick.  

Dangers of a Mozambique spitting cobra

Mozambique spitting cobras are known to spit venom into the eyes of potential aggressors in a defence mechanism. “Their first line of defence is to spray venom in the eyes of the attacker, and if that doesn’t work, they will not hesitate to bite,” Dick warned. He advised that if venom gets into the eyes, one should rinse with clean water for at least 10 minutes. If discomfort persists, seeking medical attention is recommended.

In case of a bite, Dick emphasised that one must rush to an anti-venom-equipped hospital, such as Albert Luthuli or St. Augustine’s in Durban. “Their venom is highly cytotoxic and would cause severe pain, swelling, skin rot and necrosis in many cases,” he warned.

The incident highlights the importance of responsible snake management and the need for professional intervention when dealing with dangerous species.

For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox.