WATCH Rare Capture of Black Mamba on Scottburgh Beach, South Africa

It’s been blistering hot in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and it appears even one of the world’s most dangerous snakes needed to cool off on Thursday evening!

According to a statement by Crocworld Conservation Centre, a male teenager almost tripped over the 2.8 metre Black Mamba as he was jogging past the Cutty Sark Hotel, just north of Scottburgh’s main beach, at around 18h00.

KZN couple Owen and Nadi Kuyper, who were about to enjoy an evening swim, alerted Crocworld to the rare incident… and then filmed the safe capture of the venomous reptile, by Crocworld Manager Martin Derek Rodrigues, on their cellphone. Watch below.

Rodrigues, a highly experienced herpetologist and snake catcher, said it was the first time he had seen a Black Mamba captured on a beach. They are highly venomous snakes.

He said it was possible that due to the extremely hot weather, the snake was cooling down on the shore or having a drink of salty water. Crocworld said it may have been tired or caught up in the waves.

“When I tried to catch the snake, I noticed a lot of water coming out of its mouth so it may have swallowed quite a bit of sea water,” added Rodrigues.

After a thorough health check, it was safely released back into its natural environment on Friday 09 February 2018.

WATCH 2.8 m Black Mamba captured on Scottburgh beach in South Africa

https://www.facebook.com/CrocworldConservationCentre/videos/2011262158915252/

And after a thorough health check, the snake was released back into its natural environment the following day:

https://www.facebook.com/CrocworldConservationCentre/videos/2011377568903711/