13/12/2025
It is a hot Hoedspruit Summer afternoon.
We hear the Starlings and Tree Squirrels alarm calling, going mad in-fact. Other birds join in the racket.
We look to see where they are and what is upsetting them.
There is some movement down the bottom of the yard… a snake! Not just any snake, a !
By far the largest venomous snake in Africa and in my opinion, one of the most beautiful.
Not that you would ever catch me approaching or trying to catch it, noooo-way hozé! I am quite happy admiring it from a distance. We estimate this one to be approximately 3 metres long.
The venom of this snake is potently neurotoxic, antivenom is effective but often required in large quantities (10 – 15 vials).
Despite its reputation as a formidable and highly aggressive species, the black mamba attacks humans only if it is threatened or cornered.
Back to my story:
We watch for about two hours as he goes from one end of the yard to the other, up trees and shrubs and down, he is hungry and on the hunt. So interesting to watch the various birds reactions to him.
As the sun sets, he retreats without a meal.
Over the next two afternoons this is repeated.
The third afternoon, I am busy inside the house when I hear the birds alarm calling again… sowaar! He is out and on the prowl again. As I am observing (from a safe distance), he catches a squirrel, I run to get my camera, yeah, I know, I should’ve had it with me already!
I get back when he administers one last kiss of death and starts to ingest his meal.
Once done, he heads off to his lair and I (we) hope that as it a rather mature snake that we will retire for a week or two.
