Durban — Police in Msinsini on the South Coast between Hibberdene, towards Mtwalume, called a local snake catcher multiple times to remove a green mamba that was seen slithering up and down a walkway.
Sarel van der Merwe said he received a phone call from Msinsini SAPS.
Van der Merwe said an officer was watching the snake along the walkway near a bush and road, waiting for him to arrive.
“The snake was moving up and down,” he said.
“The officer called about four times.”
Van der Merwe said the officer kept watch of the snake until he arrived.
“The green mamba was in the blues. That means she is shedding her skin. Two reasons. First, while the snake’s body continues to grow, its skin does not. Kind of like when humans grow out of their clothes. A roomier skin layer is generated, and the old layer is discarded. Secondly, shedding, or sloughing of the skin, removes harmful parasites,” Van der Merwe explained.
He said it was quite a big snake, a beautiful female.
“It was a quick grab to get it out and bag it,” Van der Merwe said.
He added that one of many call-outs turned out to be a vine or twig snake at a property in Umtentweni.
Daily News