HAVING your car serviced normally involves checking the oil, plugs and belts and perhaps finding a loose nut or wire – but never a snake.
But this is exactly what mechanics at Suzuki Richards Bay came face to face with on Thursday morning after an olive grass snake slithered into one of their bakkies’ engine bays.
According to Wayne ‘Beastman’ Rawlinson, Mtunzini’s snake catcher who was called to the scene, the snake was first thought to have been a ‘huge’ mamba.
‘I got the call from one of the sales reps who said she hated animals been destroyed and wanted the snake safely removed.
‘After looking into the engine bay I spotted the snake, but it quickly disappeared further into the motor.
‘He was quick, but not as huge as described.’ said Rawlinson.
The snake had hidden itself so well that the car had to be moved onto a hydraulic lift. This made it easier for Rawlinson to maneuver underneath the car to try and locate the scaly reptile while some rather nervous employees looked on.
‘Eventually, after no success, an air compressor was used to try and coax the snake from its hiding place.
‘As soon as we put used the compressor nozzle below the engine just above the gearbox, my sneaky reptile friend showed itself and was quickly caught.
The snake is thought to have made its way from a bushy park adjacent to Suzuki where the vegetation had recently been cut.
It is not deadly, but its venom may cause nausea and pain.
If anybody has any snake related problems, Rawlinson can be contacted on 076 732 4499.
