Jan Meyer, a local dog trainer and resident of the Scenic South, saw a large snake on the Noordhoek sportsfields while walking his dogs. Concerned that the snake might be killed by labourers in the area, he called us for the contact details of a local “snake man”. We put him in contact with Sean Boddinton of the Reptile Park in Kommetjie, who kindly came to remove the large Mole Snake from the rubble heap where it was hiding. Jan sent on these photos showing Sean in the process of removing the snake from the rubble.
Mole Snakes are non-venomous constrictors – although when threatened they can inflict a painful bite – and are found in a variety of habitats throughout Southern Africa. Adult Mole Snakes are often confused with the Cape Cobra and the Black Mamba, their colours varying from almost black to light brown, while their young may resemble the Dwarf Beaked Snake and the Spotted Skaapsteeker. The Mole Snake has a small head with a pointed snout. Much of its time is spent burrowing underground for food. Their diet includes rodents and other small mammals – as well as birds and eggs. Fights between male Mole Snakes in the breeding season can be quite spectacular. Adult Mole Snakes in the Cape can reach lengths greater than 2 m.
(Source: A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa by Johan Marais)
For Sean’s contact details and other contact numbers of people involved in the rescue and conservation of wild animals in our urban environment see
https://scenicsouth.co.za//environment/urban-wildlife/
If you see a snake in your garden, please rather call Sean than kill it!
Viv
3 Comment
Snake Season returns with Spring in the Far South Peninsula | The Scenic South, September 19, 2012 at 5:54 pm
[...] As far as your garden goes, make sure that there is nothing in your property that resembles snake habitat. Rockeries, grass piles, compost heaps, old branches or garden material, sheeting of any kind or anything that would provide a secure hiding place for a snake. (Editor’s comment: That pile of logs, leaves, a compost heap or building materials also provide a home for geckos, lizards, safe snakes such as slug eaters and toads. I would not like to forgo the opportunity of providing a home for these gardener’s friends. But I shall keep the local snakeman’s phone number handy. Sean Boddington of the Reptile Park in Kommetjie or ) Photo on RHS of Sean rescuing a mole snake from the Fish Hoek Sportsfields. Read more at: https://scenicsouth.co.za//2012/02/mole-snake-at-noordhoek-sports-fields-gets-new-lease-on-life/ [...]
Boomslang in Clovelly garden feeding on baby Red-eyed Dove | The Scenic South, April 2, 2012 at 5:56 pm
[...] Viv See also : https://scenicsouth.co.za//2012/02/mole-snake-at-noordhoek-sports-fields-gets-new-lease-on-life/ [...]
Jan Meyer, February 13, 2012 at 9:07 pm
What made the snake catching incident even more worthwhile was the opportunity Sean had to explain to the fast gathering group of construction workers the value of the Mole snake to the area.They also observed how, by not chasing a snake, it became possible to capture and save it.