A QUIET afternoon in a Westridge home quickly escalated into an unsettling experience when a snake, later identified as a Mozambican spitting cobra, found its way into their living space.

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On April 12, around 15:25, The Bluff-based snake catcher Warren Dick received his initial call regarding the incident. The homeowner, audibly distressed, explained that a light grey snake had entered her home through the front door. She recounted being in the lounge with her Great Dane, both engrossed in television, when the snake calmly moved past her feet and then vanished beneath the couch.

First encounter

According to the homeowner, “The snake was approximately a metre long, with a thickness comparable to a broomstick.” From this initial description, Dick noted that it did not immediately suggest a dangerous species. Despite his offer to attend the scene without delay, the homeowner opted to await the return of her husband and son, intending to enlist their assistance in locating the slithery visitor.

The situation remained unresolved for six hours. Then, around 21:30, Dick received a second, more urgent call. The family had again gathered before the television when a distinct ‘plop’ sound emanated from behind the TV. Their subsequent investigation brought them face to face with the snake once more and this time they immediately called for help.

Meeting face to face

Accompanied by his wife, Dick responded to the residence, anticipating the identification of a harmless brown house snake. However, the reality of the situation presented a significantly greater degree of hazard than initially presumed.

Upon their arrival, they were led to the lounge. The snake hid itself behind a double bass. As Dick cautiously repositioned the instrument and directed the beam of a torch into the darkened corner, he encountered a sight he had not anticipated, a Mozambican spitting cobra.

“I moved some furniture to create the necessary space, then carefully shifted the instrument. The snake, visibly distressed, remained motionless, seemingly hoping its presence would go unnoticed,” said Dick.

He acted swiftly, using the snake tongs to secure the cobra. This intervention prevented the creature from deploying its defensive spray.

The cobra, measuring approximately 1.3m in length and possessing a girth comparable to a human wrist, was captured without further complication.

He emphasised that this incident underscored a crucial point about snakes. “Snakes generally do not seek confrontation. This particular individual had ample opportunity to react aggressively towards the woman as she sat on the couch, yet it chose avoidance, prioritising an escape,” said Dick

Contact

If you encounter any snakes for identification or removal, contact Warren Dick on 072 211 0353.

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