SANParks.org Forums

Val, it seems to be a blind snake/Legless Skink

magnificent Mamba, Black Mamba

Thanks Anne-Marie.

Crested Val, the snake you photographed is a Schlegell's Beaked blind snake (Megatyphlops schlegelii). They are completely harmless, and they do look like massive sausages lying on the ground . They spend most of their time underground and generally only surface after rain... or when not expected

Oumie, I will try to confirm your snake when I can access the photo. My company network unfortunately bans photobucket. It is as if they think I will spend the whole day on forums like this...

Thanks Bushsnake for the confirmation ID and the extra info!!

H. erectus (by the way love the name) I was tired of doing that way and when the little pink feet arrived in my life and going to the bush. I made the call and got professional help, that I look like I know what I'm doing and not doing some histerical chicken dance when we see a snake. Even had hubby make me a snake hook out of an old golfclub.

Like your nickname says, your'e all alone when doing the
Rinkhals slinkhals two step, side step!!!

Most grown men believe they cannot dance that well, well
I beg to differ!!!

Ever witnessed a ringhals sidestep, two step??

We are in Mapungubwe at least once or twice a year. One winter, one summer, and this year I had to do the baby puffadder waltz trying to keep the 2 year old from playing with the "noise worm" (I had a heart attack, died got up and moved it away from were we need to walk, with a branch because who carries their snake hook while going to the ablutions)

Hi, I've just returned from my latest Kruger trip and have a few snakes, which I am not sure of the ID. The first was laid across the road and from a distance I thought that it was a long thin branch from a tree. I was busy looking to the side and then suddenly realised it was a snake and had to swerve to avoid running over it. As I passed I noticed it rearing up and as I reversed the car past it, it just moved round with its head turning. At the time I thought it was a Black Mamba, but now I am not so sure, because it wasn't at all aggressive as I know a Black Mamba can be, having come across one last year.

The second didn't look alive, but snakes do have a habit of playing 'possum'. I have no idea what this is.

The third snake I am fairly certain is a Python.

I also saw a long green snake about 2 metres long. It came across the road and as I swerved to avoid it , it immediately turned and went back the way it had come, so I was unable to get a picture. At the time I put it down as a possible Green Mamba.
Are snakes becoming more common as years ago I rarely saw one but now I see 3 or 4 every trip.
bondm UK

I would say the first snake pic is a Cobra its head is flat and round at the top I could be wrong but that's what I think it is, the 2nd I have NO idea and the 3rd looks like a python

the first one is a Cobra... but which one Mozambique Spitting Cobra ?

the second a legless Skink or a Blind Snake ???

the third an African Rock Python

nice sighting, nice pictures

Hi hi,...

Really, you need to brush up your dance technique and become
more pro like!! Elevate yourself to the tree tops, where the swish
of a boomslang, or the nibble of a twig snake,..............................
captivates the mind!!...........

Mamba will pertinently remind you just to fall from the tree, no questions!!

Very nice photos!

The cobra is a snouted cobra (Naja annulifera), the next one is a shield-nose cobra (Aspidelaps scutatus intermedius) and then the python is a ... python (Python natalensis)

thank you BushSnake
always interesting to see new Snakes (for me) and the pictures of the forumites

Hi, Thank you very much Sheenaugh Lee, anne-marie and Bushsnake for your help. I had thought that the first snake was a 'Snouted Cobra', but really wanted it to be a Black Mamba. I will post a picture of the snake I saw in Dec 2011, which I also thought was a Black Mamba, but I'm sure you will be able to confirm or not.

A spitting cobra was mentioned, so next time I will close the window if I come across a cobra type snake again!!

Thanks again. bondm UK

right, better close the window... and wear glasses