Durban snake rescuer Nick Evans has addressed three questions on black mambas, specifically in the Westville area — why are there so many black mambas in Westville; is it just Westville that has so many black mambas; and do black mambas attack?
This was after he and veterinarian Dr Carla Goede made another rescue in Westville on Monday evening.
The duo responded to a call for a black mamba in a garage in Westville North, on the edge of a cliff in the Palmiet Nature Reserve.
“The catch was quick and straightforward. A male of around 2.4/2.5m, hiding in a storage shelf at the back of the garage.”
Evans said he is often asked why there were many black mambas in Westville.
“Firstly, most Westville homes won’t encounter mambas, as these homes do not border or are not near reserves/valleys,” he said, but he was not talking about parks.
He said a look on Google Earth would reveal that Westville has plentiful habitat.
“The Dawncliffe area is almost surrounded by Roosfontein and Paradise Valley nature reserves, which connect. Between Westville Central and Westville North, is the Palmiet Nature Reserve. The river and valley flow down past the Westwood area. The Dunkeld Road area of Westville North has a large valley separating it from Clermont,” Evans explained.
“So, three valleys surrounding or among a large suburban area. There are homes all along the edges of these valleys, and so such homes are the ones that generally encounter mambas. But some people can live in/on the edge of prime mamba habitat for 20 years, and never see one. There’s no guarantee you’ll encounter one.”
Evans further explained that it is not just Westville that has many black mambas. People read about Westville rescues on his Facebook page because it is an area he covers.
Black mambas are common in most nature reserves or valleys in the Greater Durban area. Habitat equal mambas, Evans said.
“Homes bordering Roosfontein Nature Reserve (Queensburgh), North Park Nature Reserve (Northdene and Shallcross), the green belt running below Glenmore/Carrington Heights, Stainbank Nature Reserve (Yellowood Park, Seaview), Silverglen Nature Reserve (Chatsworth), valleys in Reservoir Hills and Newlands West, Mt. Moreland, Verulam, Inanda, Molweni, Shongweni etc. may all experience mamba sightings. Or they may not.”
When addressing if black mambas attack, Evans said bites in Durban are rare and they are mostly inflicted on those trying to kill or capture the species.
He said black mambas will do anything they can to avoid conflict, they are terrified of humans.
“Bites on dogs are more common, as dogs attack and usually kill mambas which can’t escape, but rarely get away unscathed, and live (urgent veterinary attention is needed),” Evans said.
He said black mambas feed on juvenile dassies/hyrax (hence their fondness for valleys, especially cliffs), rats (so keep tidy storerooms and yards), feral kittens and birds. So yes, plenty of food for them around Durban. They spend a lot of time basking in trees but will hunt along cliffs, on the ground, or around properties, and are mostly active during the day.
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