A 4.5-metre rock python slithers into Mtunzini
African Rock Python weighing 50kg caught and released in Mtunzini.
MTUNZINI’S snake and reptile man, Wayne ‘Beastman’ Rawlinson, came to the rescue again last week when a 4.5-metre African Rock Python was discovered in South Road, Mtunzini.
The python, weighing anything between 44kg and 55kg, was discovered on a pavement adjacent to a residential property shocking a passer-by.
While most snakes would be hibernating in winter, the African Rock Python, is out and about since it is their breeding season, making sightings at this time of year more common.
According to Rawlinson, the African rock python kills its prey by constriction and often eats animals up to the size of antelope, occasionally even crocodiles.
‘The Rock Python is Africa’s largest snake and one of the five largest snake species in the world. It is found in a variety of habitats, from forests to near deserts, although usually near sources of water,’ said Rawlinson.
After the snake was captured by Rawlinson, who is a licensed snake handler, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife was contacted and permission to release the snake in a safe, protected environment was granted by Wildlife Officer,Truman Buthelezi.
With help from the founder of Wildlife Heritage Organisation of Zululand, Brendan Bristow, the snake was taken to a grassland area in the conservancy, away from people but close to water, where it was safely released.
‘The snake is widely feared even though it very rarely kills humans. Although the snake is not endangered, it does face threats from habitat reduction and hunting so the capture and release of these snakes is vital in order to protect their numbers.’ explained Rawlinson.
