SANParks.org Forums

Here's a new one - this excludes birds and mammals

Let's try to make it not too complicated with too many facts.

Let's do 5 running questions.
1) Name the creature
2) Where is it found
3) What does it eat
4) Is there a phobia related to this creature
if not name an interesting fact about it.
5) What would you do should you encounter this creature.

So here goes...

Nice idea...

1) Ok I know its snake, which one I'm not sure. Could it be a puff adder?
2) Found throughout South Africa, exept on mountain tops, true desert and dense forests.
3) Mainly small rodents and lizards, as well as birds.
4) Ophidiophobia-The fear of snakes
5) Stand as still as possible as not to alert the snake.

Let's have a go at the snake thing

Clue : Length from 3.5 but can reach 6m
weight well over 45kg

1) Name the creature
My first guess would be African python
2) Where is it found
They occur throughout sub-saharan africa. Found in savanna and forest habitats. While mostly terrestrial, it also enters lakes and rivers and occasionally climbs trees.
3) What does it eat
Large adults can consume relatively large animals, such as antelope, pigs, jackals, baboons and other monkeys. They also consume small mammals and birds
4) Is there a phobia related to this creature
if not name an interesting fact about it.
When small, predators include monitor lizards, crocodiles, birds of prey, cats and pigs. Large adults have few, if any, predators other than man.
5) What would you do should you encounter this creature.
I would get out of its way

This has to be an African Rock Python.
It is found far from human settlements as they invariably get killed by humans.
It eats dassies, hares, cane rats, small antelope etc. even fish.
It regurgitates the bones of its prey.
Rock Pythons are excellent swimmers.
Stick to your side of the path and I'll stick to mine...

Though this may look like a Southern African Python it is actually an Australian python. This photo was not taken in S.A.

Imberbe Got a better pic???? would give you the web address but still waiting for answers from overseas forumites

Caught you out! But I do not mind the little poetical freedom you took on the picture! And sorry to say but I do not personally have a better picture.

That is why my answer on 5. will be ...

5) What would you do should you encounter this creature.

Gently go closer and take a good picture, and then spend as much time as possible with this beautiful animal!

First pic is the closeup of biting the fence
Here's the rest of that pic if it would clear things up for you folks....


(Imberde the used pic was routed as you can see on this one it really is local - local is lekker ya?)

This is in fact a Southern African Python. (Previously the African Rock Python) The only Australian Python that remotely resemble our Python is the Scrub Python.... These pictures have traveled all over the world and you should hear the stories that goes with it...

The most common is the Australian version...


Where did you find this info? This is not true..

4) Is there a phobia related to this creature
if not name an interesting fact about it.

The only South African Snake with Heat sensing pits on the lips.

5) What would you do should you encounter this creature..

Measure it. Record GPS location, take photos and submit it to SACRA

Just shows you, even Kruger Park Times got fooled! Sorry Zippy!

And the sparky award goes to
Jonty1

Thanks to WAC, LL, Imberbe ( I love a challenge) and Pilane

It is infact a African rock python which is on the endagered list.
Habitat: widely distributed throughout tropical Africa
Diet: Adults consume relatively large prey
The phobia of snakes is known as Ophidiophobia.

I'd go with Pilane and make the most of the unique experience

Here's the next one..



1) ID
2) Habitat
3) Diet
4) Phobia/interesting fact
5) Have you encountered this creature?

1. A Hawk Moth but I don't know which exactly.
2. Habitat - it looks like it is sitting on Fynbos (if its from SA)
3. Diet - adult = nectar, larva = leaves
4. Interesting facts = eyespots on wings are designed to frighten potential predators
5. Yes - attracted to lights at night.

Hey ZZ. unfortunately i cant enlarge the photo is it just me? if you could maybe make it a bit bigger it would help.