Durban snake rescuer removes 3.1 METRE python – PICTURES

Well-known Durban-based snake rescuer Nick Evans was called to remove a Southern African Python from beneath a staircase last week.

According to Evans’s Facebook page, the python was barely visible through the gaps of the stairs, and a quick assessment drew him to the conclusion that digging it out would be the easiest, logistically and fastest way of extracting it, especially considering that it was soft sand.

Evans takes up the story.

“So I was handed a spade, and the digging began.

“Eventually, I made my ‘burrow’ big enough for me to crawl into, and had some space to get up on my knees. The python was wedged in, but once I started removing the sand from underneath it, first with a spade then my hands, it had lost its safe space.

“I tried pulling the python out, but that wasn’t working well. They’re incredibly powerful.”

Southern African Pythons are a protected species

“Suddenly, though, the python turned, and moved straight towards me.

“Not in ‘attack mode’ though.

“It had tried getting out the other end, but couldn’t. It knew it couldn’t stay in there with a human, and that it’s only way out was behind me, so that’s where it was determined to go.

“I wore my cap going in there for just in case a scenario like this unfolded.

“Obviously, I don’t want to try and reach for a pythons head face on. I didn’t want those rows of needle like teeth in my hand.

“So, I simply put my cap over its face, which didn’t stop it from moving forwards, and grabbed it by the neck. That was surprisingly successful!

“It was a large male, 3.1m in length. Don’t see many male pythons over 3m. It’s smooth skin prevented if from being covered in sand, unlike me. I was covered.

“After getting the snake into a box, and getting ready to walk back to my car, someone asked, “Where are your slops (flip flops)?”

“I closed my eyes for a second out of frustration. After digging that sand out for the python, I now had to dig through it again, this time to find my slops! Luckily a bystander offered to help, now that the snake was gone.

“It was released far away from staircases.”

As a reminder, the Southern African Python is a protected species. It may not be killed, sold, eaten, kept as a pet, or relocated without a permit/permission from authorities.

Anyone in the KwaZulu-Natal province looking to have a snake removed can contact Nick Evans on 072 809 5806 or nickevanskzn@gmail.com