Ladder Snake (Elaphe scalaris)

[Colin Key]

This little chap turned up at my barbecue tonight - absolutely delightful! Some of "the girls" went beserk until I handled the snake and then let them hold it (the snake, I mean!:ohdear:) - a very educational and pleasing experience.

http://www.pbase.com/accentor/image/113191925.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/accentor/image/113191934.jpg

Colin

[michael23]

from a snake fan, thats one beautiful snake, thanks for sharing.

[Colin Key]

Thanks Michael.

This species (together with Horseshoe Whip and Montpelier) is fairly common here. What surprised me was the reaction of my guests - most of them, including some "machos", just freaked out screaming "get rid of that slimy thing".

I was very pleased that I actually managed to get some of them to handle this beautiful creature briefly and appreciate just how pleasantly tactile snakes are.

Colin

[PaulHopkins]

Great Snake Colin.
The designer label on the watch was quite eye catching also.
You would'nt want to pick up this snake!

http://surfbirds.com/video2/view_video.php?viewkey=7bcb3b283af5be021448

Paul

[Colin Key]

Great Snake Colin.
The designer label on the watch was quite eye catching also.
You would'nt want to pick up this snake!

http://surfbirds.com/video2/view_video.php?viewkey=7bcb3b283af5be021448

Paul

Thanks Paul; watched the video and did a Google on Hog-nosed Pit Viper (:eek:) - having spent time working in Southern Africa I have a great deal of "respect" for snakes.

Oddly enough, the only time I have been bitten was on the Isle of Arran in Scotland while doing some geological field-work; I accidentally disturbed a female Adder (about two feet long) with young and she bit through Goretex gaiters, thick socks and "long johns" and left a fang in my calf muscle which is still there. It made me feel quite ill for several hours and required a lot of malt whisky at the bar of the Corrie Hotel to make me feel better :beer:.

Colin