This is what I call "the snake's tree".
I had wanted to post it with the last blog, about trying to photograph the young eagle trying to leave the nest.
While stepping from place to place keeping it in view as much as possible, I was looking through the camera viewfinder, NOT at the ground.
I heard the snake before I saw it and smartened up very quickly.
:)
I believe it to be a Tiger Snake.
Luckily for me, it was not very aggressive and moved away from me, as they always do, given half a chance.
While watching the snake this time, I was trying to change the camera settings from long distance to up much closer and almost missed it before it disappeared.
Here is proof of their climbing abilities.
It went up the tree trunk about a metre and into a hollow branch, using the rough bark at the base for purchase.
2 comments:
http://www.flickr.com/recent_activity.gne
Many Thanks to Tapper for his concern AND for his research.
You're welcome :)
I see the tail end of the snake clearly bottom left of the photo. What's harder to see is the head. It's visable in the midst of green foliage immediately up fom where the branch leaves the tree trunk.
It is probably a tiger snake.
(reposting from flickr)
"Only two species of snakes are found on Kangaroo Island. The Tiger Snake Notechis ater is generally jet black in colour unlike its mainland counterparts which are normally striped. The smaller Pygmy Copperhead Austrelaps labialis is less frequently seen by visitors to the island."
from here...
http://www.parks.sa.gov.au/flinderschase/natural/index.htm
Specifically about the tigers, referred to as the peninsula tiger snake, Notechis ater niger in this article.
"Black tiger snake Notechis ater
The peninsula tiger snake, Notechis ater niger, is closely related to the common or Eastern tiger snake from the wetter, temperate areas of Australia. Unlike the eastern tiger snake, the black tiger snake lives in drier habitats than common tiger snakes although restricted to areas experiencing coastal rainfall and moisture. The diet of black tiger snakes on Eyre Peninsula and offshore islands is different from common tiger snakes. Adult black tiger snakes feed mainly on bird and local mammal species. On offshore islands they are highly specialised feeding on migratory birds like mutton-birds and petrels. On Kangaroo Island they appear to prefer mammal prey.
The Krefft's tiger snake Notechis ater ater occurs in remnant wetlands of the southern Flinders Ranges and along the Broughton River. This snake is listed as vulnerable because of its restricted habitat. Like the common tiger snake, Krefft's tiger snakes feed on frogs and tadpoles. They also take mammals and have been recorded eating black duck ducklings. They are the smallest of the tiger snakes but are heavier bodied than the peninsular tiger snakes from Roxby Island in the Sir Joseph Banks Group in Spencers Gulf.
Their young are born live."
"The venom is similar to that of the common tiger snake having potent neurotoxins, clotting enzymes and myotoxic components.
Antivenom: CSL Ltd tiger snake antivenom.
Use polyvalent antivenom in the absence of specific Tiger Snake antivenom"
from here (also has some good images)...
www.venomsupplies.com/dangeroussnakesofsa/tigersnakes.html
Post a Comment