Snakes in the City Team Encounters Intriguing World of Snake Mating and Fighting Rituals

Snakes in the City Team Encounters Intriguing World of Snake Mating and Fighting Rituals 

Simon Keys and Siouxsie Gillett - stars of Snakes in the City - the internationally acclaimed National Geographic Wild series, are feeling “lucky”. Not the same way an average person would feel lucky. But lucky nevertheless. And the reason? They arrived a month earlier than usual in Durban to film the next season, which means they are here for snake mating season, and along with that, the intriguing rituals and fighting associated with it. 

Snakes in the City TV star Siouxsie Gillett at a recent capture, with 3 entwined male Spotted Bush Snakes that were fighting to mate with a female that escaped.

“Usually we begin in October/November when the weather has warmed up and snakes are more active, which is post-mating season. Now, because we are here earlier, we are coming across some rather amazing sights,” explains Siouxsie Gillett, a qualified herpetologist. “This is a time of the year that you are likely to see more than one snake together – as they are usually solitary creatures. Often people see two or more snakes together and think it may be snakes mating – but it is more than likely two males fighting for dominance.”

“The world of snake mating and reproduction is quite a fascinating one,” says Simon Keys. “For example, female snakes produce a strong scent to attract males, leaving a scent trail so males can find her. And during the mating season could attract a whole mass of snakes who have followed her scent, who all end up fighting for her. Quite a scary sight for an untrained eye!”

“Intriguing too, is that the male snake has spent the winter in hibernation not eating, and is hungry, but would rather mate at this point than find food!” says Siouxsie. “Surprisingly, some species like our famous Black Mamba will combat in a non-violent way for the female, by attempting to dominate the other male by almost entwining around, and laying on top of the other male, often misunderstood as two snakes mating.”

“Most female snakes lay their eggs and leave them. Some snakes (pythons - including the Rock Python - and King Cobras) incubate their eggs, and King Cobras even build a nest for them! Some even give birth to live young like Adders.

“So now’s the time to watch out for the fighting and mating, and soon for the babies to be out and about. And we are happy to come help out to remove them and place them in a safe natural environment.”

Simon and Siouxsie are available to capture and relocate snakes free of charge whilst filming the series. All filming is done using strict SA Government CoViD-19 guidelines and regulations. The caller, with permission and depending on the conditions of the call-out, may end up in the TV series

The Snakes in the City hotline for snake removals is 063 234 6932.

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National Geographic Wild’s Snakes in the City starts filming next season in Durban

It’s heating up and the rains are here... which means snakes are waking up from their winter slumber and are hungrily heading out to forage for food. No need to panic though. Snakes in the City stars, Simon Keys and Siouxsie Gillett are back in Durban and all set to respond to calls to rescue, remove and relocate snakes as they film the next season of National Geographic Wild’s internationally acclaimed reality series.

After ten months back in the UK, where the couple are based, Simon and Siouxsie are ready to get cracking on this season’s filming. “We love being in South Africa, and with our passion for snakes and reptiles, it is always a delight to be out and about helping to rescue and relocate them. Every day presents us with new adventures and challenges as we go about doing what we love and landing up in some unbelievably strange positions and in unlikely places to find our slithery friends. Most of all we love educating people and changing their attitudes about snakes, showing that they play an important role in the environment. We hope we are saving the reptile population one snake at a time,” they say.

Siouxsie Gillett loves being in SA to film Snakes in the City

“Snakes in the City continues to grow in popularity and we are thrilled that it has such a wide global reach. The diversity of the snake population, harmless, venomous and everything in between, along with the wide variety of locations in Durban, and  Simon and Siouxsie’s quirky, passionate and dedicated approach makes for compelling viewing,” says Graeme Duane, Creative Director: Earth Touch, the Umhlanga-based production house that produces the series. 

Simon Keyes ready for action and back in Durban to film the next season of Snakes in the City

The dynamic team is available to capture and remove snakes from properties in and around the greater Durban area, north to Tongaat, south to Illovo Beach, and inland to Botha’s Hill, subject to availability. The season will be filmed within strict South African government specified Covid-19 guidelines and regulations. There is no charge for a call-out, and the caller, with permission and depending on the conditions of the call-out, may end up on the television series.

If you spot a snake in your home, workplace or neighbourhood, call the Snakes in the City hotline on 063 234 6932.

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