Beware: it’s snake mating season!
EXPERIENCED snake catchers Fred Lubbe and Peter Daniel received a call-out to the uMhlathuze landfill site in Empangeni on Monday morning, with a message that workers were trying to kill a snake buried in a huge pile of refuse.
‘We rushed to the scene and identified the snake as a Southern African Python, a protected species,’ said Lubbe.
Lubbe and Ezemvelo Honorary Officer Daniel immediately secured the scene and with the aid of an excavator managed to catch the three-metre reptile.
‘This specific species was first called the African Rock Python, but it was later determined that it was a species on its own, hence the name change,’ said Lubbe.
‘Southern African Pythons are constrictors and eat anything from small domestic pets, cane rats, rabbits and small buck.’
They took the python to Lubbe’s farm, where they cleaned and measured it before releasing it at a safe location.
‘One mistake many South Africans make is believing that snakes hibernate during winter, which does not happen in South Africa.
‘Snake metabolism does slow down during the winter months, but they will pop up on a sunny day and hunt when hungry,’ Lubbe said.
Minutes after the python rescue, he received another call from Oilco in Empangeni.
The snake was in a dry wall in an office block, which prevented Lubbe from reaching it.
‘I had a look and presumed it was a herald snake. I advised the staff to leave it alone as it was harmless, but to call me again if it came out.’
The call came 10 minutes later informing us that the snake had made its way under a cupboard.
‘I found it was a juvenile Mozambique spitting cobra measuring 60cm, and it was spraying its venom all around the room in defense.’
Lubbe told the ZO that this specific species is highly venomous.
The cobra was removed and also released in a safe area.
Lubbe said he was expecting many calls in the next few weeks as it is mating season for mambas.
Both Lubbe and Daniel urged the community to call them if they encounter any snakes.
Lubbe can be contacted on
066 2433377 and Daniel on 076 0516420.