Thelotornis capensis (Twig or Bird snake)

[Louis Jacobsz]

These are one of my favourite snake species so I must share them with you guys !

They are highly venomous and arboreal like the Boomslang (Dispholidus typus).
Unlike the Boomslang these do not have anti-venom so a full-on bite will be nothing short of a nightmare as they have strong hemotoxic venom that will cause serious internal bleeding that, in rare cases, may result in death.

...but just look at them haha...:blink:

http://www.ljafricancaptivebreds.co.za/cpg/albums/userpics/10001/Vine_snake_041_28768_x_51229.jpg

http://www.ljafricancaptivebreds.co.za/cpg/albums/userpics/10001/Vine_snake_001_28768_x_51229.jpg

http://www.ljafricancaptivebreds.co.za/cpg/albums/userpics/10001/Vine_snake_002_28512_x_76829.jpg

http://www.ljafricancaptivebreds.co.za/cpg/albums/userpics/10001/Vine_snake_004_28512_x_76829.jpg

They probably rate as one of the snakes with the best camouflage around; out in the bush you will not notice them unless you have great eyes or they move.

http://www.ljafricancaptivebreds.co.za/cpg/albums/userpics/10001/Vine_snake_006_28512_x_76829.jpg

Regards
Louis.

[alessia55]

Beautiful. I really can't find the snake in that camouflage photo... :shocked:
Edit: I think I found it. Is it just the body in that photo?

[MoreliAddict]

Is that really the snake in the camouflage photo? I'm with alessia, those don't like like scales! ;)

Pretty snake, as always from you. Thanks for sharing.

[marvelfreak]

Man that snake is insane looking. I love those evil looking eyes. I love to see more pictures and thanks for sharing it with us.

[alessia55]

those don't like like scales!

Thats exactly what threw me off! Doesn't look like it has scales- it is super well camouflaged.

[Will0W783]

The scales are multi-colored with a velvety finish, so they are very nicely obscured. Those are really really awsome snakes...how closely related to the Ahaetulla (vine snakes) are they? I know vine snakes are commonly sold in the pet trade and are sold as non-venomous; they have similar head structure and keyhole-shaped pupils so I'm curious how the venom compares. It might make people rethink vine snakes' classification if their venom is similar to this fellow's!

[Robyn@SYR]

Visually stunning!

[Rogue628]

What a beautiful snake!

[Trent]

Awesome pics!!!

[Louis Jacobsz]

Thanks guys ! I'll post some more pics soon.

@Willow783, They are not even closely related to Ahaetulla sp. as far as I'm aware of anyway ? I keep Ahaetulla and I've been tagged a couple of times and the worst symptom I had was minor swelling at the bit site. If I remember correctly there are also obivious differences in dentition etc. I know it's a bit off topic but here's what mean when I say the dentition differs, Ahaetulla have two elongated teeth/"fangs" where Thelotornis only has one (except when a replacement is behind the one in use).

Ahaetulla nasuta
http://www.ljafricancaptivebreds.co.za/cpg/albums/userpics/10001/ahaetulla.jpg

Regards
Louis.

[Norm66]

Wow, again I'm stunned by the species you work with Louis. Beautiful and deadly. Quite a combination. Thanks for sharing them.

[Rogue628]

So this animal only has one fang? Where is it located and how does it work with the snake? (hope that makes sense!)

[Louis Jacobsz]

Thanks Norm66 it's always a pleasure!

@Rogue628, Sorry if I may have caused some confusion. I meant they only have one fang on each side, like your standard venomous. They are part of the ophistoglypha (snakes with fangs in the back of their mouths/backfanged).
If you look carefully at the pic of the Ahaetulla I posted you'll notice two elongated teeth/fangs- one under the eye and one towards the front of the mouth.

I hope that helps ?

Regards.

[botis]

Stunning animal. The scalation is just amazing. How big do these get?

[BarelyBreathing]

Beautiful animals.

[brylecc1989]

Wow. Super cool species

[Louis Jacobsz]

Thanks guys !

These specific ones get to around 1.5m in length but rarely reach that size.

[Rogue628]

Thanks Norm66 it's always a pleasure!

@Rogue628, Sorry if I may have caused some confusion. I meant they only have one fang on each side, like your standard venomous. They are part of the ophistoglypha (snakes with fangs in the back of their mouths/backfanged).
If you look carefully at the pic of the Ahaetulla I posted you'll notice two elongated teeth/fangs- one under the eye and one towards the front of the mouth.

I hope that helps ?

Regards.


Yes it did. And now that I read your post without being quite so exhausted, it makes sense now. And now that you mentioned it, yes, I do see the two teeth/fangs. Very interesting.

Although I doubt I ever work with hots (I'm too clumsy), I find venomous extremely interesting. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us. :)

[Louis Jacobsz]

Any time Rogue628 !

Here are two more pics showing the body and camouflage...

http://www.ljafricancaptivebreds.co.za/cpg/albums/userpics/10001/gab_male_014_28768_x_51229.jpg

http://www.ljafricancaptivebreds.co.za/cpg/albums/userpics/10001/gab_male_001_28768_x_51229.jpg

Regards
Louis.

[marvelfreak]

Very cool looking snakes.

[alessia55]

Hey, could you get a close up photo of the body's scales? If you can :) Thanks

[Louis Jacobsz]

Thanks Chuck !

And just for you Alessia...Sorry if the pic is out of focus but it's the best I have for now...

http://www.ljafricancaptivebreds.co.za/cpg/albums/userpics/10001/boomslang_female_007_28768_x_51229.jpg

Regards.