WATCH: Durban fishermen catch 2,5m python while at sea
We all know about 'Snakes on a Plane', but have you ever seen a snake going for a swim?
Most South Africans are cautious about encountering snakes in obvious places.
The bushveld, parks or maybe even your garden.
Where most of us would rarely consider coming face to face with a snake is in the ocean.
There are many snakes, aside from water snakes and sea snakes, that can also swim.
According to NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors), "copperhead, cottonmouth, and rattlesnakes do tend to swim", as well as garter snakes.
However, water snakes are fairly common semiaquatic snakes primarily found in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in eastern North America.
So it came as quite a surprise when participants at the 2026 Durban Ski Boat Festival spotted a 2,5m African python slithering along the ocean surface.
Dwayne Boshoff and his father saw the snake seemingly "swimming" 2,5km from the shore and were baffled.
They managed to rescue the snake, which was then handed over to Durban snake catcher Nick Evans.
Evans explained on social media: "The father and son team didn't hesitate and hurried into action. Mr Boshoff got the boat close enough, while Dwayne, who is not a seasoned snake-catcher, brilliantly scooped the snake out of the water, securing the sharp end and supporting the body."
Watch the video here:
The duo contacted Nick, who met them on the beach to pick up the snake, assessed it, and found it in surprisingly good condition.
How did the snake end up that far from its natural, comfortable habitat?
Evans says we can only speculate and might never know, but two of the most likely explanations are that it was hiding in one of the boats or that it was crossing a river when it was swept out to sea.
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Image: Nick Evans/Facebook