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The best one was still on the S50. Because it was so hot during Dec we drove from shade to shade, stopping and sitting quietly until we have spotted 5 things before we move on to the next shade. You will be surprised how many things, especially birds we saw.

During one of those stops under a huge tree we had a frightening surprise. This stop was very quiet and we battled to see anything except a butterfly. So I moved forward to look on the ground and oh my word, there was a snake right next to me. Now, I love snakes but hubby is, well a bit, afraid of them. I told him to get his dvdc. and peak out my window. By this time the snake was right by the wheel, 'most probable thinking our car is a suitable hiding place', hubby uttered a couple of censored words which made the snake decide that his idea of a hiding place wont be a good idea. The snake turned around and hed for the closest bush and hubby, well, he is still recovering

I'd love to know what snake it was.

I am not sure, but it could be a moz. spitting cobra.

I thinks so too oom

you can just spot the stripes on his belly

Does that mean they only spit at mozquito's?

I'll go for M'fezi too, for now.

Pilane... Coffeeman... where are you when we need you?

Hey wild i think they are both Boomslangs - the green one im 95% sure and the smaller brown one looks like a juve - unfortunately the pics are difficult to id postively

Thanks for the id Bok.

They were moving so fast I was lucky to get a photo of them. Didnt even think the photos will be identifiable, just took the photos to have proof that I also have seen a snake in Kruger.

But I really wanne see a python. Well maybe one day...

We have a lot of luck with snakes. We saw more than 15 on our last December trip which was 2 weeks. That included a small blind snake! We also are dying to see a python though!

Wow, WAC, your family has good powers of observation.
I do believe we all pass many snakes, but just don't see them.
I have seen one Python and it was very special.

WAC, why are you not at school

Bok bok, what makes you think that this is a juvenile Boomslang?
Do they tend to have this colour?

I tend to thing of the Boomslang as skinny, with big lovely eyes (unless you are a frog), and green.. and in the case of femals brown.

WARNING

Please people be careful of snakes while you are driving. If you stop near one KEEP AN EYE ON IT AT ALL TIMES.

They look for shade and your vehicle might be very attractive. They have a habit of zipping up into your undercarriage if they can.

It is a devil of a job to get them out after that. There are some unhappy stories on the forum including one where the snake was removed from the roof lining eventually!

The best prevention is to be alert and drive off if they approach closely.

Hi Meandering Mouse

Boomslangs are one of the hardest snakes in S.A to identify on colour becuase they have so many different colour variations - you can only really tell by seeing the head of the snake - the first pics seem to have the shape of the boomslangs head the second snake which is brown to be fair could be any snake even a brown house snake - Boomslangs juve's tend to be brown on the top and varying colours (blueish) underneath especially under the head. Just on the pic the shape seems to be similiar to he top ones which is why i thought boomslang - very difficult if not impossible to make any sort of positive ID - Pilane would probably be better to try - hope that helps.

There was a report in some newspaper where i guy was killed when the snake made it up the undercarriage and into the car and bit him.

For me, the large eyes and very skinny body have always stood out, but maybe I am mistaken in that.

Thank goodness they are shy, (I hope), and back fanged snakes.

In one of my previous postings I wrote about how I nearly stood on a young Boomslang at Lower Sabie. I do think that even if I had, he would not have been able to bite me in a way to inject venom.

Hi!

I'm new on this forum

I'm a french canadian who have a interest of many animals and in particular crocodilians & snakes... I was photograph many reptiles in North America (alligators, crocs, rattlesnakes, water mocassin,turtles, etc...).

I plan a trip to KNP in october 2008, it's so far but a have to plan it... I'll probably stay in the southern part of the park (crocodile bridge & lower sabie).

I plan to make some guided morning walk and I have some questions about that:

When we walk with the guides, this is possible to see some snakes or they (guides) avoid them because some peoples are affraid of that ???

At the camps, I think the electric fences it's only for the bigs mammals, so, this is possible to see some snakes in the camps ???

I have a '' TOP 10 '' of some animals I hope to photograph at KNP:

10- Nile Monitor
9- Ground Hornbill
8- Greater Kudu
7- Hyena
6- Lions
5- Hippos
4- Elephants
3- Whith Rhinos
2- Crocodiles
1- Puff Adders (I really like vipers !!!)

Thank's

This is a great forum!!!