A snake catcher in South Africa was called out to capture a large brown hissing snake that he thought was a cobra. But it turned out to be his first-ever mole snake rescue.
Here's what to know
Snake catcher Nick Evans from Durban, South Africa, responded to a call about a large, brown, hissing snake discovered at a warehouse, The Witness reported.
Initially, before seeing the snake, Evans suspected it was a Mozambique spitting cobra. Evans then received a photo of what he identified as a mole snake, an elusive species that Evans himself has only encountered once before.
Evans said, "For snake rescuers in other provinces, especially in the Western Cape, mole snakes are common … I got sent a photo, and I became super excited! My first Mole Snake call! I raced over there."
In a Facebook post, Evans explained, "Mole Snakes are non-venomous, but have knife-like teeth, which can inflict a really nasty bite, with bites sometimes needing to be stitched up. They bite and twist."
When Evans arrived, he noted that the warehouse staff were keeping a safe distance and a vigilant eye on the snake until he could intervene. Unable to fit its large body through the gaps in a fence, the snake was stuck where two fencing sections met.
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Evans used a hook stick to remove the snake from the crevice, calling it "grumpy" as soon as it was removed from its hiding spot.
"One can't blame it, it was absolutely terrified," Evans wrote.
"It was hissing away, and each time I tried grabbing the tail, as it was wriggling around on the floor, it lunged back at me. I was using the hook stick to keep [its] mouth away from me," Evans explained. He then successfully placed the snake into a bucket.
Although Evans had encountered a mole snake once before on a hike in Lesotho, he had never previously been called to remove one.
More background
According to the African Snakebite Institute, the likelihood of encountering a mole snake varies by region, even though the species inhabits much of southern Africa.
Even an experienced snake catcher might rarely encounter a species that spends most of its time below ground. Mole snakes hunt mole-rats and other rodents in that hidden habitat.
During this encounter, no one was reportedly bitten. But snakes and other wild animals may attack humans, even experts, if they feel threatened. Habitat encroachment and protecting offspring can heighten the risk.
Where can I learn more?
Other snake handlers in South Africa have had surprising encounters of their own.
• A South African snake catcher awaited a massive black mamba at a roof hole.
• A South African homeowner spotted one snake, but a catcher found two black mambas.
• In South Africa, a snake lunged at handlers.
• A South African handler filmed a large snake slipping from a toilet into pipes.
• In Empangeni, South Africa, homeowners discovered a black mamba inside a garage box.
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