"Heart Attack": Gqeberha Snake Catcher Catches Biggest Boomslang of His Career, Mzansi Reacts

• Snake catcher Mark Marshall was called out to a Sunridge home in Gqeberha after a homeowner accidentally disturbed a massive boomslang while gardening
• Marshall, who has removed boomslangs before, said this one was far larger than any he had previously encountered
• The highly venomous snake's position behind brickwork gave Marshall the element of surprise he needed to make the catch

A Gqeberha snake catcher was left stunned after coming face to face with the largest boomslang he had ever caught, following a call-out to a Sunridge home on 30 September 2026.

Mark Marshall, who runs Sandula Conservation, received a message from a homeowner in Gazania Street who had accidentally scooped up the snake while gathering sticks in the garden. The homeowner dropped everything the moment he spotted it and reached out to Marshall for help identifying it from a photo. Marshall confirmed it was a boomslang and headed over immediately.

Read also

BI Phakathi stops KZN man on way to mashonisa and changes his day

When he arrived, what he found was far from a routine job. Marshall, who has dealt with boomslangs before, said this one was unlike any he had previously removed. Its sheer size set it apart from every other specimen he had encountered in the field.

Brickwork gives snake catcher the upper hand

What worked in Marshall's favour was the snake's position. The boomslang had its head tucked behind a stack of bricks, which blocked its line of sight and prevented it from detecting his approach. That blind spot made the capture significantly safer and more manageable.

Boomslangs are among the most venomous snakes in southern Africa. They are rear-fanged and produce a haemotoxic venom that affects the blood's ability to clot. Despite their danger, they are generally shy and only strike when threatened or handled incorrectly.

Marshall shared the catch on his Facebook group, Sandula Conservation, where the post quickly drew reactions from residents who were equal parts horrified and impressed.

View the Facebook post below:

South Africans react to the monster boomslang

Mzansi had plenty to say on the page:

@Lynette Swanepoel said:

"I am so scared of snakes, they can kill you. Please just explain how you can say this reptile is beautiful."

Read also

Man lists 10 new facts about Netflix's 'The Polygamist' that fans never knew

@Carol Adlam wrote:

"Heart attack."

@Kim Ginsburg commented:

"Oh wow, absolutely beautiful."

@Betsy van Huyssteen shared:

"I've learnt so much from these clips, Mark. I will always be afraid of snakes, but will at least know not to harm them now."

@Silvana Cagni Bailey added:

"Thank you again Mark for all your help with the conservation of our world's vulnerable creatures."

@Marizanne Kemp asked:

"Yuuu, what's that, approximately 2m?"

Marshall's work serves as a reminder that when it comes to snakes, calling in a professional is always the safer choice for both the homeowner and the animal.

More Briefly News stories on snakes

• Spiritual guide Nelly Olayi explains how different snake colours in dreams can be interpreted, including links to enemies, ancestral messages and blessings.
• A Gold Coast snake catcher discovered multiple snakes hiding inside a ceiling during a surprising spring call-out.
• Renewable energy workers near Upington received snake identification and snakebite first-aid training after photos from their session drew attention to the reptiles’ size.

Source: Briefly News