Snake season breeds fear
Snake catchers warn of snake hatching season and 'feeding frenzy' before going into hibernation
NOT only has the time arrived for snake eggs to hatch, but slithering reptiles are also currently out and about foraging for food before going into hibernation from April.
According to five local snake catchers, Zululanders need to be wary this time of year as call outs, particularly for baby African rock pythons and mature forest cobras, skyrocket.
Between Alfie Marques, AJ Mollentze, Jan Combrinck, Kent Lawrence and Zephian Alberts, they have caught 14 forest cobras in the last month varying in sizes from one to over three metres long.
‘Snakes are capitalising on the food Zululand has to offer to fatten themselves up with reserves before winter,’ said Alberts.
‘People must keep a look out, but not try to capture the snakes themselves – it is extremely dangerous if the snakes are venomous.’
Combrinck urges the public to keep an eye on the reptile while waiting for a snake catcher to arrive.
‘I cannot tell you how many times it has happened that I get called out in the middle of the night, only to get to the place where a snake was seen and it had already escaped with no one knowing where it went.
‘A snake’s first reaction is to bolt, not to attack you so you are advised to watch it from a safe distance, while keeping your pets and children away, and you won’t get hurt.’
Hatch trick
With hatching season in full force, reptile experts also suggest leaving nests to the pros.
‘If you find a nest, do not disturb it,’ said Lawrence.
‘Keep your local snake catcher’s number on your phone and call them to have the nest removed safely.
‘Even small snakes and juveniles can be venomous.’
After a boa constrictor was recently found by Marques, pet reptile owners are also strictly warned to report their missing snakes to the authorities, snake catchers and the media.
‘If you have an exotic snake that escaped your house, you absolutely have to report it to us so we can notify all the catchers as well as the public to keep an eye out for it,’ said Marques.
For more information, contact Alfie Marques on 082 7043917, AJ Mollentze on 083 5149402, Jan Combrinck on 083 4607661, Kent Lawrence on 076 1220011 or Zephian Alberts on 082 3218425.
