DURBAN - A MARIANNHILL man got an unexpected surprise at his home on Friday night when he discovered a black mamba in his bathroom.
According to snake rescuer, Nick Evans, the man went to the toilet to relieve himself when he heard movement in the basket next to the toilet.
“Then, a black mamba popped its head out of the basket. He jumped into action, wanting to keep his family safe,” he said.
Not knowing what type of snake he was dealing with, Evans said the man tried stuffing a towel on top of the snake to try to trap it.
“It managed to get out, and because they thought it wasn't venomous, he was going to grab it by the tail. But he changed his mind and it then went behind the toilet,” Evans said.
Evans, who was accompanied on the callout by his wife, Joelle, said while the family waited for him to arrive, they watched the mamba in an attempt to keep it contained behind the toilet.
However, with the bathroom door unable to close completely, the man sprayed insect spray at the snake from a distance to try to keep it in the bathroom, he said.
“Not the nicest thing, I know, but I understand his actions. I'm sure panic had kicked in. It was a big, intimidating snake after all. They actually had no intention of the snake being killed,” said Evans.
Despite their attempts to contain the mamba, it managed to exit the bathroom and went into the kitchen. The family quickly went outside.
When Evans and his wife arrived, he said he went cautiously into the kitchen.
“I scanned the floor, then looked up ... What an interesting sight! It was cruising on the kitchen counter, going behind some pots.
“When the mamba went around the pots, I grabbed the tail, which was still sticking out. My word, did I regret that. I learnt that a mamba, which has been sprayed with bug spray, is one mental creature.”
Evans said after touching the mamba’s tail, it lunged at him.
“Luckily, my tongs were out quickly, and I grabbed it mid-air, while it rushed at me, and pinned it down on the floor. Only the second time that's happened to me with a mamba. That gave me a big, big fright,” he said.
He said while it is believed that mambas chase people, after working with hundreds without being chased, he believes that “mambas are not aggressive”.
However, Evans said the snake in the Mariannhill home had become agressive after the insect spray.
Describing the first time a mamba lunged at him, Evans said it had been bitten by a dog inside its kennel.
The snake catcher said the best part of the call out was the family.
“This family was so nice. The man, who could easily have ended up in hospital, or worse, helped my wife down the steep, slippery driveway, while I carried the mamba and gear. He even reversed my bakkie down the most terrifying driveway for me.”
Evans said the mamba was fine the next day.
“We rinsed off any poison on it when we got home. It will be released when the sun's out again,” he said.
THE MERCURY