Snake Catcher 'Mauled' By Reptile While Rescuing It From Post Box

A snake catcher was bitten by a reptile while recuing it from a post box in Greater Durban, South Africa.

Snake catcher Nick Evans arrived at a complex and found a Spotted Bush Snake inside a post box. While removing it, the reptile "mauled" him.

Narrating the incident in a Facebook post, Evans said, "I removed this juvenile Spotted Bush Snake from a postbox of a complex the other day, by Westwood Mall. These snakes can often be quite cheeky, but this individual was more cheeky than the average Bush Snake - he mauled me! Although his tiny little teeth didn't break the skin."

Photos accompanying the Facebook post showed the snake hiding under papers and plastic covers inside the post box.

Evans said these are the most common snakes in the area and he gets up to 20 calls for these reptiles in a day.

"Being green, the same color as Green Mambas and adult, male Boomslang, they cause a lot of fear. So most people who call me are terrified. Green Mambas are plain green, much larger and are restricted to the coastline. Boomslang only turn green when they're a meter long or so, and by then they're far larger than a Bush Snake. They also have a much larger head. Also, around Durban, they're not so common," he said in the Facebook post.

Calling the snake species "absolutely harmless," Evans said, “It has no venom, and so should you see one in the garden, you have nothing to worry about. They're also relatively easy to shoo out the house with a broom, although you may want to confirm the ID with a snake-catcher before approaching."

Speaking about Bush Snakes, he added, "Thin green snake, yellow/white belly, black spots going half-way down the body, are the characteristics of this snake. They love to go into roofs. If you see one go into your ceiling, please know that there's really not much anyone can do. A snake that small is near impossible to find in a ceiling. Catching it up there is another story. You will just have to leave it there and let it leave by itself."

He also urged people to not harm the snake when they see it.

"Please don't pour boiling water on this snake, beat it, chop it up. It's really not necessary. They just come for a gecko or two then leave. I often see them around my house, and I enjoy seeing them. The birds aren't big fans of them though, and usually harass them," he said in the Facebook post.