LOOK: Green Mamba found in braai on North Coast

What a surprise! A 1.5m Green Mamba was recently found inside a gas braai on the North Coast.

LOOK: GREEN MAMBA FOUND IN BRAAI ON NORTH COAST

Snake rescuer Nick Evans said a homeowner on the north coast had bought braai and had left it for just over a week on a table on his verandah.

“It was covered, so unbeknownst to him, an indigenous rodent species had wasted no time in building a nest in there.

“The smell of the nesting rodents was irresistible for a resident Green Mamba. It slithered down from a tree and made its way into the braai. It bit the rat, and the rat ran out (and succumbed quickly to the venom).”

Nick said.

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NATURE’S BEST SNAKE FINDERS -BIRDS- ALERTED THE OWNERS

Evans said the mamba didn’t follow, as by this time, the residents were outside.

Nature’s best snake-finders- birds- alerted them to the snake’s presence.

“Interestingly, this is the first call I’ve attended to where a Green Mamba has eaten/hunted anything but a bird.

“Although they are known to eat rodents and readily do in captivity. “

THE 1.5M FEMALE GREEN MAMBA WAS SAFELY SECURED

Evans called veterinarian Dr.Carla Goede, who was nearby at the time.

“We took off the bubble wrap cover, then lifted up a sheet of aluminum before Carla spotted the mamba in the braai. It was under the grid.

“It is such a strange place to see this arboreal snake.”

Nick Evans said.

The 1.5m female Green Mamba was safely secured and later released into pristine Green Mamba habitat.

What to do if you encounter a snake in your house?

• If you do happen to see a snake in your garden or home and you are uncomfortable with it, get someone to watch it from a safe distance of 5 meters or more.
• Contact a competent snake remover.
• Keep children and pets well out of the way.
• Always keep an eye on the snake, as this will help the remover easily locate it and make the removal process easier.
• If the snake is in the house and you are comfortable with the idea and it is possible to do so without putting yourself in danger, you can throw a towel over the snake.
• Await the arrival of a snake remover – the snake normally stays curled up under the towel until uncovered.
• Otherwise if it is a small snake and if possible (without putting yourself in danger) place a bucket over it with a heavy object on top of the bucket and call a snake remover.
• If you are comfortable with snakes, you can use a broom and just sweep the snake outside or into a box or bucket. Remove it yourself. You can release the snake in the closest open veld away from other people.