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'Canned' snake found
20/04/2005 23:32 - (SA)
Eagan Williamson , Beeld
Pretoria - Vets at the Pretoria National Zoo have had lend a helping hand after a two-year-old snouted cobra got its head caught in a rusty cooldrink can.
The snake had probably been trying for days to free itself
before a Good Samaritan stumbled across it and took it to the zoo.
There the can was cut away after the snake had been given a strong tranquilliser.
Vet Leon Venter said on Wednesday the snake had probably been looking for food when it got stuck.
"The snouted cobra's head is triangular and if the broadest part is through an obstacle it becomes a problem for the snake to get out".
This snake was no worse the wear for the "adventure" and will now spend its days with two similar snakes at the zoo.
Snouted cobras are, according to the zoo, extremely poisonous and are found in Africa, Iraq, Syria and Saudi Arabia. The snakes have a distinct leathery, dark brown or black back with broad stripes.
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