SANParks.org Forums

I was wondering, what do other forumites think about the idea to start a project on having the SNAKES / REPTILES Big 5 or 6.

The idea ??hopefully?? will be to get visitors' attention to be also on the lookout for reptiles while driving. I know that this may be wishful thinking, but miracles are still happening.

After seeing all these dead snakes on the road, I really feel that something needs to be done.

Please feel free to come up with any other suggestions so that we can discuss it. I know that some will just say " you are waisting your time and breath, but, if we do not try it, we will never know in the future what the effect might have been?!

May be we can even arrange a "Reptile watch" weekend in the KNP once a year.

I have said enough now. Please give inputs/feedback.

Mfezi

Great idea!

My big 5 snakes for Kruger would be:

African Rock Python.
Black Mamba.
Boomslang.
Mozambican spitting Cobra.
Puffadder.

For KTP, I'd add the Cape Cobra.

Thanks for your interest and replies, Wildtuinman and Restio.

Althouhg I have only received 2 replies they were both positive. I suppose that is a good start. We will still let it run for a while longer, before any further actions/plans are taken.

Any forumitee, please feel free to make any other suggestion.

Keep well all!!

Mfezi

i agree with restio.

South Africa's big 6 would be my big 5 together with the Cape Cobra.

I'm quite new to this here forums! I like this idea though! Have any of you spotted any of these 'Big 6' snakes in the Kruger? Bar for the Cape Cobra??

Another thought Would we not need to include the Nile Crocodile and some of the lizard family if we're talking reptiles too??

Hi Liesl

Welcome to the Forum. Hope that you will enjoy it.

With regards to your question, currently a final decision still needs to be taken on what the Big 5 or 6 for snakes/reptiles will include. So it is not impossible to include them. So, watch this space.

You are welcome to propose your list of the Big 5 / 6 for snakes/reptiles. Looking forward to it.

Yes I saw a Mozambique spitting cobra and a python during my trip - 21 - 25 May 2008 in the KNP.

Cheers

A few years back while staying in Lower Sabi I walked past a snake. I was quite close to it but it made such a quick get-away I could not tell you what it was. . Have spotted a couple of python's on two separate visits.

Need to think over that list a bit more though

I was fortunate to have seen all of the ones I have suggested as the big 5 in Kruger.

That just ain't fair man!

Have any photos?

That makes two of us, Wildtuinman. Sorry Liesl!! At least you have an excuse to go to the KNP again, not that I need any excuse.

As it happens I will find my self there this coming long weekend! ...are you yet?

Sorry, just couldn't resist! Hey, what about a spider list? or do you think that's a bit over the top??

Liesl! Play nice!

I have photos of all but the Moz. Spitting Cobra. Wild@heart and Jacov was with me, maybe they got something, I hope they did, cause they normally do buggerall in any case. It was trying to catch a big frog, but the frog escaped and made a run... ehm.. I mean jump for it with the cobra in hot pursuit!

I have the mamba on video, but only just.

The boomslang I got @ Nkulu picnic spot. Hundreds of people passed thru underneath it as it laid watching. Will have to scan in the pic as it was taken on a film camera. Apparently I also nearly yanked on one over the 2007 Cricket weekend. Never seen it myself thou.

Saw a dead python on the H4-1 and then a nice sizable one on the Duke mission.





The Puffadder afternoon at Biyamithi. Aaaahhh... Saw 5 in less than an hour on gravel roads in the Biyamithi area.

Coooool!
What do you think of the spider thing I mentioned? Or are you afraid of them - nudge-nudge

Me not play nice I try, really!

Not scared of them. Just careful.

Sounds like an awesome idea. Go for it! Create the topic.