AS ICY winter air sweeps across South Africa, even the most feared creatures of the wilderness are seeking a reprieve from the weather.
In an extraordinary incident that has both terrified and fascinated residents, a family from Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, recently found themselves facing a uniquely dangerous visitor - a Cape Cobra - that made its way into their children's bedroom.
In the early hours of the morning, SnakeRescue NSRR Eastern Cape received an urgent call about a snake sighting in Mdantsane township.
The distressing report detailed how a young boy had felt a cold, slithering presence wrap around his neck before making its way down his body.
His sister caught a fleeting glimpse of the serpent as it vanished underneath the blankets at the foot of the bed, prompting the children to flee the room in panic.
“At 5.30 am this morning, I got a call for a snake in the bed of a young boy. They ran out of the room, shut the door, and called for assistance,” said the snake handler who responded to the emergency.
Upon arrival, the SnakeRescue team meticulously combed through the room, carefully removing blankets.
Within moments, they located the highly venomous Cape Cobra nestled by the side of the bed.
According to the African Snake Bite Institute, the Cape Cobra stands out as one of the most dangerous snake species in South Africa, notorious for its quick, defensive behaviour.
Known to be easily confused with the Mole Snake and the Black Spitting Cobra, it poses a significant threat in the region, often implicated in fatal snake bites alongside the dreaded Black Mamba.
Its venom is extensively neurotoxic, capable of causing rapid deterioration in victims, affecting vital functions such as breathing.
Medical professionals stress the importance of urgent hospitalisation and administration of antivenom in the face of a severe bite.
As winter sets in, many may wonder how such creatures survive the chill.
Snakes like the Cape Cobra do not fully hibernate in most of South Africa due to milder winters; instead, they become less active, often seeking out warm hideouts.
Such locations may include termite mounds, underground crevices, or sun-drenched rocks ideal for basking.
Warmer winter days may even coax them out into the open.
This alarming encounter underscores the need for heightened awareness among residents in snake-prone areas, especially as these cold-blooded animals seek warmth in the unexpected corners of our homes.
In the face of potential danger, the swift action of the snake handlers undoubtedly spared the young boy and his family from a harrowing ordeal that could have had tragic consequences.