[imagesource: Facebook/Sarel van der Merwe]

Sarel van der Merwe did not get much sleep on Wednesday night.

The South Coast’s snake catcher received a midnight call out, forcing him to brave the wet and slippery roads to rescue a Southern African rock python that had taken up residence in the kitchen of a farmhouse in Port Edward.

At least Sarel was familiar with the home because he had been there before – four times to be exact. The farmhouse has become a haven for the slithery creatures it seems, per The South Coast Herald.

Sarel revealed on Facebook that the lady of the house breeds Yorkshire Terriers and this is the fourth Python to be found on the property; “Last season one Python got away with one of the Yorkies…” he said.

This time around Sarel was accompanied by his neighbour, AJ Pretorious, who helped capture the lengthy reptile wedged between the washing machine and the kitchen wall, ensuring no dogs were chowed down.

Sarel and his accomplice released the snake in the Mpenjati Nature Reserve, saying it measured 4.8 metres and weighed 24 kilograms. What a whopper to wake up to.

Despite pythons being a protected species for holding ecological significance in South Africa, they remain unwelcome visitors, especially considering the country’s shortage of snake antivenom.

Indeed, the country’s five-year snake antivenom supply has been depleted, which means doctors and veterinarians struggle to save their patients in the event of a snake bite.

If you ever need a snake removed, contact Sarel on 0826831604.

[source:southcoastherald]