- Snake handler Nick Evans, along with co-handler Duncan Slabbert, rescued a trio of Mozambique spitting cobras from a home in Pinetown, KZN in October.
- This was the first time Evans had seen three cobras together, they were hidden beneath the paving of a patio.
- He said it looked like the two male cobras had been fighting over the female.
Snake handlers Nick Evans and Duncan Slabbert were met with a big surprise when they found three Mozambique spitting cobras at a home in Pinetown, Durban, last month.
"I've never seen three cobras together before. It was crazy," Evans told News24.
Two of the reptiles were male and bloodstained.
Evans said it was likely they had been fighting over the female.
Although breeding season for these snakes is September and October, Evans said there was not a lot of activity this year.
"Normally, this snake is extremely common and I get far more callouts. However, this season has been surprisingly quiet," he added.
Evans and Slabbert found the snakes hidden under a patio after an eagle-eyed neighbour spotted one of them.
"They are usually found hiding under paving or in retaining walls - they like that sort of thing," Evans said.
The homeowner had dogs which frequented the area where the cobras were found.
Spat
Evans said the canines were lucky not have been spat on by the cobras.
When feeling threatened, cobras often spit venom.
"It's like a pepper spray. I've been spat at a few times and it's a bit like beach sand mixed with soap. It really burns and is very uncomfortable and if it's not treated it can cause permanent damage to eyesight," he said.
Evans added should pet owners find themselves in a similar situation with their pets they should quickly rinse their eyes with water for about 10 minutes.
But a cobra bite requires immediate medical attention.
"They have cytotoxic venom which causes swelling and tissue damage, it's a very serious bite but most people [and animals] will survive if they go straight to the hospital."
