Table mountain herp ID please

Feebo · 10-05-10, 06:55 AM

I thought this might be a good place to put this picture a friend has given me. Some time ago he and his mum I think it was, were on Table mountain in Africa. This snake was sighted right next to them and he initiated the `ol skidaddle manuvere lol Got away from it quick smart but managed to take a picture of it disappearing into the grass. He`s always wondered whether it was dangerous or not. Obviously if you don`t know what it is, treat it as deadly anyway, he did the right thing. Can anyone ID the snake from this image? Looks like a lovely bit od orange/brown on the flank there and black spots! Shouldn`t be too difficult I wouldn`t have thought. What do you guys think?

Feebo · 10-05-10, 07:05 AM

Looks like a Harliquin snake to me, what do you think?

percey39 · 10-05-10, 07:43 AM

I am not that familiar with this species. It does look like it could be a spotted or striped harlequin snake ( Homoroselaps dorsalis ) though. They are a pretty unique looking species. Would of been easier had there been a photo of the entire body. If it is this species their venom is not too bad to humans and is not classed as being deadly, still better not to play with a snake you cant ID!

Feebo · 10-05-10, 08:04 AM

Yeah too right! In Africa too. It does look like it`s a match but there are plenty of snakes that imitate others and such, thought I`d post it and see what you guys think...

percey39 · 10-05-10, 08:11 AM

Yeah only play when you know what they are, otherwise look from afar. Your not wrong about africa lol many species to knock you down over there!

Feebo · 10-05-10, 08:52 AM

Yeah right! One of my favourites too, the Gaboon

Cor I`d LURVE one of those! Not a bloody chance though. The most venomous thing I`ll ever have will be Mangroves or FWC`s I`ve got enough problems without putting myself in that sort of danger lol

percey39 · 10-05-10, 06:58 PM

Dont get me started, i would kill for a gaboon lol. One day i will get one i swear, just waiting for our laws to change ( might be a while )

Will0W783 · 10-06-10, 12:37 PM

I agree with you, Feebs! I LOVE gabbys and cobras but will content myself with FWCs and cat-eyed snakes. I get tagged all the time by my non-vens, so I imagine I'd get nailed pretty quickly by a deadly bugger, and all it takes is that one time....

SnakeyJay · 10-06-10, 12:39 PM

yeah the thought crossed my mind aswell to keem a ven in the future... self preservation won haha

Feebo · 10-06-10, 06:29 PM

Too right, you`ve only got to look at photos of what they can do to you to realise it`s just not worth it in the slightest....

percey39 · 10-06-10, 07:08 PM

Venomous snakes are extremely rewarding to keep and are very interesting as well. As long as proper care is taken bites are unlikely, but in saying that you cant ever gaurantee. It would be worse for you guy's in the states as i heard it can cost well into the high tens of thousands for treatment. If we ever go to a system like that here im sure many would stop keeping them, i know i would have to contemplate downsizing my collection.

SnakeyJay · 10-10-10, 09:40 AM

over here it would be free treatment if i was bitten....nhs and all that... but knowing my luck there wouldnt be the right antivenin....

Feebo · 10-10-10, 06:16 PM

That and you`d survive the bite and then die from legionares disease in the showers. I would have been double scared to death if I would have had to have my spinal surgery done on the NHS. Luckily for me they wanted me to wait a year and a half in howling agony before they could fit me in. It cost me ten grand to go private but it was clean and the food was lovely. Very much unlike the NHS. Eeeeergh every time I have to go to the hospital and they`re doing dinner, it`s enough to make me feel even sicker than normal. It smells like that nasty mashed potato you used to get at school! I have no idea how to make potato smell that bad! Who knows what they do to it. Gross.

Reptile_Reptile · 10-11-10, 09:07 AM

what is nhs?

Lankyrob · 10-11-10, 12:11 PM

National Health Service - all tax payers pay a little into a fund and then everyone gets free treatment when required. Have had three operations and numerous visits on the NHS in the last 4 years - no issues at all. Always nice and clean, food a little bland but filling enough and great nursing staff, tho some of the doctors are a little bit non communicative sometimes.