Wily Cape Cobra Capture (Don’t try this at home)

Cape cobras are fairly common in Cape Town. I’ve caught my fair share but none have tested me more than this relatively large snake. They are diurnal and tend to move when temperatures reach the high 20’s and low 30’s. A hot snake is an active snake and this is no more evident than in this tricky capture. Granted I…

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Cape Cobra VS Mole Snake

Rule # 1: NEVER interfere with a snake in any way if you are not 100% sure what it is. Cape cobras are easily and often mistaken for mole snakes, and if you are at all familiar with the distinction between these two snakes you’ll know exactly why this could be a serious problem. Cape cobras are Africa’s most venomous…

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How to Avoid Snake Bite!

What’s the best way to avoid snake bite? Simple answer - leave snakes alone. Up to 95% of bites occur when people try to catch, kill or interfere with a snake in some way. This mole snake (Pseudaspis cana) was rescued on a scorching day. The snake was hot, extremely active and by the time I got it to the release…

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Snake Conservation - What’s the Point?

If you are one of the people that still follow the old adage of the only good snake is a dead snake, you’re not alone. Many people feel this way. After all, snakes are slimy evil creatures; I mean look at those eyes and those scales – disgusting right!? Why do we need them anyway? Well, let’s for a minute…

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Are Snakes Smart?

There is very little known about snake intelligence. Most of the information that we do have comes from keepers whose anecdotal reports and experience are often strongly divided in opinion. The two predominant schools of thought on whether or not snakes are smart are: Snakes generally have small brains and are purely instinctual Snakes have the ability to learn and…

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Snake in Your House! Who Pays?

Just what value is attached to the removal of a problem snake is a contentious subject in South Africa. On the surface the issue may appear simple. Some handlers charge, some don’t. However, in small ‘snake-catching communities’ there is more than meets the eye and these issues are often fraught with politics.

Fear of Snakes: Learned or Genetic?

Snakes are commonly regarded as slimy, disgusting creatures. For many, no animal on this planet elicits more fear than a loathsome snake. For some, this fear of snakes goes beyond the seemingly rational. While you are reading this you may be inclined to leave this site as quickly as possible for fear of simply seeing one more snake picture. Wait,…

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