Eastern Cape snake catcher and conservationist Mark Marshall, from Gqeberha, has adopted three massive snakes, two Burmese pythons and a red tailed boa constrictor, which he aptly described as “monsters” last week.
Marshall said it had taken him eight months to sort out the permits for the snakes, which he took ownership of on November 15 from their owner in Despatch.
“I was rather surprised at their size when I arrived to collect them. They are massive,” he said.
However, he said despite their size, they are relatively friendly.
Marshall said their previous owner is 72 years old and could no longer look after them. He said he had to adopt all three.
“The pythons are about 13 years old. The boa is about seven years old. The pythons ate rabbits and the boa ate rats. They are now homed together in a large display enclosure at the Port Elizabeth Bayworld,” he said.
He said he is not sure what their names are.
According to Marshall, many people do not realise how big certain pylons can grow.
“These species are governed under the Alien Invasive Species Act, which stipulates very strict regulations for keeping them to prevent them from escaping, etc. and becoming an invasive species like they presently are in the Everglades (America). The rules require that the snakes be microchipped, an escape assessment be done and many inspections to make sure they are still housed properly,” he added.
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