Snake catcher Nick Evans—who provides a snake removal service in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province—said on Facebook that the man in the Umkumbaan area of Durban had been shaving in the living room when he “heard some movement behind him.”
The man looked towards the door to find the snake lurking behind him. The black mamba then slithered into a hiding place until the snake catcher arrived.
Black mambas are highly venomous snakes native to Africa. They are among the deadliest snakes in the world, with a fatality rate of 100 percent if a bite is left untreated.
“All of the mambas I’ve caught in the past week, have been extra grumpy, more so than the average Mamba,” Evans said on the Facebook post. “Maybe they’re also tired of the floods and the aftermath of the disaster.”
KwaZulu-Natal province has been hit with severe floods this month that have killed more than 400 people and left thousands homeless as well as wreaking havoc on wildlife. A lot of animals have been carried away from their normal environment by the floods. Some have been found in bizarre locations.
Evans said when he arrived to catch the snake it “gaped at [him],” exposing its black mouth.
As the snake catcher attempted to restrain the “powerful animal” with tongs, it “resisted like crazy.”
Along with being the longest snake in Africa, reaching lengths of up to 14 feet, black mambas are also incredibly strong. Although they use venom to kill their prey rather than constriction, they are able to use their strength to grapple with other, larger predators.
Once Evans finally caught the snake, he saw it was not the floods that had made it “so annoyed.”
“Someone had hit it, on two places, of the tail region. Doesn’t look like any serious injuries thankfully,” he said.
Evans said on the Facebook post that attempting to kill a black mamba is “extremely dangerous.”
He said he “explained this to those present,” and that it turned out to be a “good educational moment.”
“Some even touched the tail,” he said.
The black mamba measured around seven-and-a-half feet, which is fairly small for the species.
Despite their fearsome reputation, black mambas are usually shy and reclusive. They only tend to bite humans when they feel attacked and vulnerable.
“I understand why people kill snakes, hence why I try to educate. But yes, please know, trying to kill any snake increases your chances of being bitten. Snakes do not want to bite you. Don’t give them reason to,” Evans said. “I’m grateful these guys ended up calling.”
