A Munster farm's chicken coop became the site of a wildlife rescue when a juvenile Southern African python was discovered near the roof.
On September 22, snake catcher Sarel van der Merwe was called in and removed it without harm.
Here's what to know
According to the South Coast Herald, the young snake was found in the coop's roof area before van der Merwe arrived. South Africa classifies the Southern African python as a protected animal, and the latest South African Red Data Book lists it as Vulnerable, so it may not be captured or killed.
Van der Merwe described the python as a large-bodied species found only in South Africa, generally distinct enough not to be confused with other snakes. Yet even with that bulk, it can remain surprisingly difficult to notice, which is how it can stay concealed in places such as a roof space.
The Munster area has also seen a run of python reports, including a small hatchling found on the beach. That broader pattern suggests the coop find was not an isolated sighting.
More background
Game birds, monkeys, small antelope, and dassies make up much of this python's diet, and it also takes prey such as leguaans and even crocodiles.
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That diet helps explain why a chicken coop could draw a python close to people. Farms, outbuildings, and animal enclosures can create opportunities for wildlife to move into places where humans live and work, raising the chances of tense encounters even when the animal is not actively seeking conflict.
Many wildlife incidents are shaped by the ways human activity overlaps with animal habitat. In this case, the snake could've been seeking shelter, food, or both.
What can be done?
People who encounter one of these pythons are being told to leave it alone rather than trying to handle or kill it themselves. Because the species is protected and listed as vulnerable, an untrained removal attempt can endanger the snake and the person involved.
Instead, residents should seek out a qualified snake catcher. In the Munster case, van der Merwe was called to the farm and safely carried out the removal.
The report also listed van der Merwe for snake removal assistance at 082-683-1604. In areas with multiple reported sightings, local snake removal contacts can help reduce panic while protecting a species people may not capture or kill.
Where can I learn more?
The Munster rescue fits into a broader pattern of snakes turning up around homes and farms. These stories look at rising python sightings, new ways to locate rare snakes, and other cases of snakes entering human settlements.
• In South Florida, Burmese pythons are turning up around homes, heightening fears of urban spread.
• In Australia's Murray-Darling Basin, detection dogs are helping find endangered carpet pythons.
• In Florida, a giant python nest in an odd spot showed fierce maternal defense.
• In Dhaka, snakes frequently sneak into human settlements as urbanization squeezes their habitat.
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