Southern African Python caught at Durban house – PICTURES

A Southern African Python weighing 23.95kg and measuring around 3.3m in length was recently caught at a Durban house.

Well-known snake catcher Nick Evans said he caught the massive python on Saturday evening at a property in Clare Estate in Durban.

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And it was not an easy catch!

NICK WAS STRUCK TWICE DURING THE RESCUE

Nick said the python was in a horrible position to catch it in. It was sprawled out over the top of a two-metre-high brick wall, under a layer of barbed wire built on the wall.

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“It was also lying against a standard wire fence, but right behind that was another barbed wire fence. An absolute nightmare. I was deeply concerned that the snake was going to tear itself apart during the capture.”

He said the homeowner gave him permission to cut as much of the fence as needed.

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“I first cut the barbed wire that was now below the snake, which it was initially lying under. It would catch her when we pulled her out, and it was hooking on my assistants. I then cut the standard wire around the snake.

“I wanted to secure the head quickly. I reached for her head with my left hand, and she instantly wrapped her jaws around my thumb and released. I responded by immediately reaching with my right hand- same result, said Evans.

A PYTHON’S MOUTH IS LINED WITH HOOK-LIKE TEETH

Nick said he had caught dozens and dozens of pythons without incident.

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“Until last week, I received a minor bite, and now on this occasion. Must be old age.

“A python’s mouth is lined with hook-like teeth, so it’s a tad painful. Blood poured from my hands.”

FOUR PEOPLE HELPED NICK TO HOLD THE MASSIVE PYTHON

Nick said the python moved after momentarily fending him off, but a piece of cut barbed wire on the ground got stuck on her neck, and he couldn’t grab her then.

“I used the bolt cutters to push them off. Then, my assistants pulled her away from the chairs and stools we’d been standing on, and when she was in the open, I grabbed her, successfully, this time! My assistants quickly held the rest of her body down.”

Nick said the python was massive. 23.95kg and around 3.3m in length.

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LOOK AT THESE PHOTOS OF THE RESCUE:

“Fortunately, we didn’t notice any visible wounds. She had quite a bit of blood on her, all mine.

“We managed to get her in the bucket, and then Vincent treated my bite wounds.”

THE PYTHON WAS CAUGHT AND TAKEN TO USHAKA SEA WORLD

Nick said the python was taken to Ushaka Sea World, and it will be released in an undisclosed game reserve.

“The Southern African Python is classified as a Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS). It is illegal to kill, catch, transport, and keep them. Just for me to rescue them, I have to have a permit.”

It is still unclear how the python ended up in this area as it is unusual.

IT IS UNUSUAL FOR A SOUTHERN AFRICAN PYTHON TO BE IN THIS AREA

“The Southern African Python, previously known as the Rock Python (which is technically now the East African subspecies), does not occur in this area or anywhere nearby. Historically, yes, nearby, in the Palmiet valley, but they’ve since been wiped out,” Evans concluded.