RENOWNED Empangeni snake catcher Fred Lubbe had to rely on experience when encountering a highly-venomous snake during a call-out at Qalakabusha Correctional Centre on Wednesday afternoon.

Lubbe responded to a call from a SAPS detective who spotted a black snake in the kitchen of one of the staff houses at the centre.

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‘When I got on scene, I found the Mozambique spitting cobra behind the fridge,’ said Lubbe.

‘These snakes are highly venomous and contain poison that they continuously spit at the enemy.

‘I did not have my safety goggles on, so I had to proceed with caution and use my experience.’

Lubbe managed to catch the 90cm cobra which was spitting at his eyes during the entire ordeal.

‘These guys never stop spitting when on the defensive and, if bitten, can be very serious.

‘They like to eat geckos, lizards and small mice.

‘It is not cold enough in South Africa for snakes to hybernate, so they brumate, which means they only come out on hot days.

‘It is currently mating season, so snake calls-outs have been coming in fast and furious.’
Anyone who has a snake issue can contact Fred Lubbe on 066 2433 377.

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