Saved in the nick of time

Thabazimbi – Reptile Inc co-owner Petrus van Breda recently saved a beloved pet who was caught by a python, in the nick of time. 

He was called out to 4th Avenue, where he found a python wrapped around a small dog. He was able to free the dog from the female python which measured 3.2 metres.

“She must have been hungry, as she was quite thin,” Petrus said.

The dog initially did not show any signs of life, but Breda managed to resuscitate it. The python was taken to the Reptile Inc snake park. He warned residents to be on the lookout for small pythons, as various sightings of small pythons in the area were reported to him.

Females produce 30 to 60 eggs, which are roughly the size of a tennis ball, and she remains with her eggs throughout incubation. Southern African pythons are protected species. They feed on warm-blooded small antelope, monkeys, birds, and even leguaans.

“Attacks on humans are rare, but just to be sure, keep your grass short,” Breda said.

If you cross paths with a python, rather phone a professional to come and help. Pythons have large teeth, so their bites can leave you with deep wounds that can become infected.

Petrus van Breda 
079 897 5611
Peet van Breda 
083 579 3139

Photo: Park manager in training Anika Vets and Reptile Inc owner Petrus van Breda. 

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