DURBAN – A brown house snake, Boaedon capensis, is recovering at the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (Crow) from an injury suspected to have been sustained during grass cutting.
The snake was brought to the centre by a member of the public.
Crow operations director Clint Halkett-Siddall said it was unclear what caused the injury, “but is very similar to an injury to a black mamba we rescued last year that was hit by a weed eater while grass was being cut,” he said.
Halkett-Siddall said the snake had needed stitches when it was brought to the centre, which have been removed.
“We are keeping the snake in a reptile enclosure with heat on one third of the enclosure in order to allow it to thermoregulate. We are concerned as the bottom third of the body is not moving as it should but we will monitor it closely,” he said.
He said the Boaedon capensis was one of the most common non-venomous snakes in South Africa. It was found throughout the country and neighbouring countries including Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.
“They are characterised by a brown body with a cream belly, and cream stripes from the nose to behind the eye and nose to end of the lower jaw.
“The snake can reach a length of 1.2 metres but generally stay smaller at between 60 to 80cm. They prey mainly on rodents and lizards making them the perfect snake to leave in our garden as they will control any unwanted pests,” he said.
Halkett-Siddall also urged the public to stay safe from venomous snakes.
“Contact Crow or your closest wildlife rehabilitation centre should you come across any injured, orphaned or displaced wildlife,” he said.
THE MERCURY