Naja mossambica

Naja mossambica

Postby Mehelya » Tue Dec 24, 2013 9:39 am

Was visiting a friend last night, and at about 20:00, I decided it's time to go home. As I got to the gate, I got a phone call for an extremely large snake on a farm nearby, and that the owner's dogs were trying to go for this "extremely large" snake...

Grabbed all my equipment, except a torch (stupid *face-palm*), and rushed out to the farm. On getting there, there were 4 dogs running around, and the owner standing in the road. After the greetings, and explaining how he saw this ginormous snake on the porch, we proceeded to the veranda. He pointed to a large metal dog kennel, and shined his torch in to the corner.

Peering carefully around the side, I immediately moved back, grabbed a full-face visor, and the longest of the two sticks that I had with me, and removed a beautiful, and obviously irritated Mfezi from behind the kennel...

It took 5 shots at the sticks and myself, and had two venom dumps on the sticks thereafter, and did not want to stay in the tote box, managing to push the lid straight off, and start climbing out, while I was busy talking to the owner.

The one dog, a pureblood staffie, had obviously tried to tangle with this beasty, and had come off second best. There was some blood around the Mfezi's mouth and neck, but no signs of trauma or injury on the snake, except at the tail, where it seems the dog(s) may have tried to go for the snake, and it just defended itself, and I said as much to the owner. I helped them wash the staffie's eyes out, and suggested they get the dog to a vet for further treatment, should it worsen, or look as if it is getting more uncomfortable for the dog.

By now, it was 9 pm, and I had to pick up the missus from work, and putting hazards on, and driving just within legal limits, I rushed off, hoping and praying that a traffic officer would stop me, and request to search my vehicle... Unfortunately, they all seemed to be on coffee break at the local garage... :(

Well, got the snake home, into the outside room, away from my other long-term captives, and started an inspection of the snake, with 5mm glass between us. It sprayed a few times, and after realizing that the glass was preventing the desired effect, it decided to try standing, hooding, and gaping... This it did with gusto, and even when I moved to over 3m away, it stayed in that "confrontational" frame of attitude... So, without further ado, here are the pics that I did manage to get.

Starting with the bloodied tail... Most likely one of the dog's handiwork...
Image

A shot for size comparison (left enclosure wall is 40cm long)...
Image

Side Profile
Image

And the business end...
Image

Well, the really nice thing about this one is that it is a first for me... After herping this area for about 20 years, it is the first one that I have actually seen here, even after all the stories and yarns about farmers seeing them etc. So, finally a "new" species that I can cross off my list.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy!
Rian
If I wasn't me, then I'd probably be someone else...
Forceps. Not fingers...
Yes, it probably will bite you if you carry on that way...
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Mehelya
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Re: Naja mossambica

Postby imperial exotix » Tue Dec 24, 2013 3:09 pm

Awesome find and great post!

Enjoyed reading it.

Regards
Aadil.
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Re: Naja mossambica

Postby Bushviper » Wed Dec 25, 2013 6:39 pm

Luckily the injury is superficial and of no consequence.

Torches are like gold. I usually have at least a single flashlight and a headlamp in my car. I have learned my lesson.
It is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.

Those who are afraid to ask are ashamed of learning.
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Re: Naja mossambica

Postby Mehelya » Sat Dec 28, 2013 9:16 pm

Thanks Aadil, much appreciated.

BV, I know. Stupid move, but had to get out asap, for the safety of the snake, dogs, and people. I have since put a spare torch in my car, and with my kit. At least I remembered my full-face visor... :oops: :D
Rian
If I wasn't me, then I'd probably be someone else...
Forceps. Not fingers...
Yes, it probably will bite you if you carry on that way...
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Re: Naja mossambica

Postby MrG » Mon Dec 30, 2013 5:59 pm

It took 5 shots at the sticks and myself, and had two venom dumps on the sticks thereafter, and did not want to stay in the tote box, managing to push the lid straight off, and start climbing out, while I was busy talking to the owner.


Luckly the lid did not came off whiles driving home. :)
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Re: Naja mossambica

Postby Mehelya » Tue Dec 31, 2013 9:17 am

Mr G, I made sure that that could not happen, again. The Tote boxes I use, seem to need to click down hard by the handles, in order to "lock" properly, going to look into alternative capture boxes... I rechecked all the sides, and then taped the lid down all over, just to make sure, as I had to pick up the missus, before returning home, to temp house this beasty. I am sure that should a traffic officer have stopped me, which sadly did not happen, I would have probably had to do breathalyzer and blood tests, as I drove back into the CBD wearing my full face visor (up of course), the internal car light on, and my hazards flashing, with hooks in reach, should the beast escape while in the car. Not to mention an ominously black box, taped shut with white tape, sitting in the middle of the back seat... :lol:
Rian
If I wasn't me, then I'd probably be someone else...
Forceps. Not fingers...
Yes, it probably will bite you if you carry on that way...
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Re: Naja mossambica

Postby MrG » Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:27 am

Thats why I prefer a bag and a holding container to put the bag in. But you will know what works for you.
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