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Psammaophylax rhombeatus?


Psammaophylax rhombeatus?
Photo Information
Copyright: Annick Vanderschelden (vanderschelden) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2710 W: 76 N: 6987] (27816)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-10-16
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Kruger National Park
Date Submitted: 2008-08-02 11:31
Viewed: 535
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hiking tips snake bites in South Africa
During my 20 shooting days in Kruger's wilderness, I only spotted a snake twice.
Both contacts were in unusual circumstances. This upload and here is the picture of the other encounter. Obviously special, isn't it.
But why is today's upload special?
Well maybe, you already saw it. This snake is situated in the middle of a typical gravel road in Kruger.
You can almost see the tire tracks. What you can't see in the picture here, is the fact that this snake is seriously damaged. The reptile was definitely hit by a car, hence its strange position. The skin was completely open where the O is made in the image.
I don't know whether this was a venomous snake or not. Helping it could have been a dangerous operation.
I knew it wasn't a Puff adder or a Cobra and also probably not a Black mamba?:-) The latter is a very aggressive snake, when disturbed it can follow you for miles and bite. You can die within minutes.
About snake bites: most victims do not know 'their' snake.
As you can see I started with a link. I think this is a very interesting article concerning the above mentioned matter.
My point here is that identification of the snake is important. It's knowledge.
SO...I hope that someone here can provide the identification of this snake.


A few other opinions and conclusions:

Very important to drive slowly in Kruger to avoid road kill. Sometimes you think when you see a 4x4: why???

The Kruger National Park map is a very useful tool and well made, et cetera. I use it every day(also in Belgium:) But...not one image of a snake let alone an identification. Obviously there's a pro and con argumentation but still...

Finally I prefer to photograph animals without roads, fences, wires and so forth.
For once my option was content and some statements;-).
Feel free to critique...

Have a nice day!

References:
Link:Short note about the author

Gerald Crawford was born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa. E-mail Address: gerald@12234455.co.za Website Address: http://www.12234455.co.za.
mala-zaba, eqshannon, Janice, claudine, nglen has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To janhendrik: Thanks Hendrikvanderschelden 3 08-04 08:04
To eqshannon: Hi Bob,vanderschelden 1 08-03 07:36
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2124 W: 9 N: 5953] (22504)
  • [2008-08-02 11:38]

Hi annick. A shame this one has met with a accident . Lets hope it survied ok. You have taken this with good detail in the skin and markigs, with natural colours. well done TFS.
Nick..
Good notes too.

Hi Annick
Nice presentation of this snake.
Well done and TFS
Ralf

Poor thing, I hope that he will survive and I understand though that you didn't help him... I like this little catch-light in his eye and low POV. I was driving recently when I saw a little hare crossing the road between car's wheels and he managed to get on the other side safely. When I returned on the same road, 5 days later, I saw the dead body of the poor creature on the side of the road at the same place I saw him alive the first time; road kills are a real pity... This picture made me thing about it...
Claudine

You are quite the young trekker and I hope I don't sound condescending by saying it that way. Today I feel very old...some days go like that in retirement...
Your shots are unique. They are a very special part of your 10 day trip and they were all thought out well and to add to that whole thing you go way out and make each presentation a unique part in PP and you think it all out so well...I am sure many of us envy your youth and your opportunity..and when I say youth I mean anything under 50:-)..I know I used to hear that and think someone was telling me I had much to learn or some such..but having gone through that I now know what they meant as I do here... all in goo dtime...
Bob

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 454 W: 11 N: 1299] (4552)
  • [2008-08-03 0:42]

Hello Annick,
Beautiful photo of this snake. Very good sharpness and details and good natural colours. Nice composition.
Regards,
Siggi

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 996 W: 4 N: 2568] (11866)
  • [2008-08-03 2:55]

Hello Annick, Nice shot with super clarity. Great composition and showing natural sorrounding. Ganesh

Hi Annick,
Nice framing and beautiful DOF/POV. Great natural colours.
TFS
Eric

Sad posting but good picture, thanks Annick. Had a look in my book. It looks like a Striped skaapsteker Psammophylax tritaeniatus. It's venom is descibed as mildly venomous, with virtually no effect on man. It is good that you did not stop, as one would not have been able to do anything.

The black mamba will not follow your for miles. Is is an aggresive snake and it will bite without hesitation if threatened, but it will make its escape as soon as it is able to do so, i.e. as soon as the person "threatening" it has retreated enough for instance, it will sail away. It is not a snake to mess with though, that is for sure. The further you stay away from it, the better. You certainly can die of its bite very quickly. There are a number of snakes with more potent venom if you consider toxicity alone, but this is without doubt one of the deadliest snakes around. Its venom rates high on toxicity, and added to that is the large volume of venom it injects, as well as the number of times it can repeatedly bite you.

Update:
I sent email to a herpetologist I found on the internet, and he said it is definately not a skaapsteker. I think you are right in that it is Psammophis, but I think it is Psammophis orientalis. :-)

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