Black Tiger Snake
Black Tiger Snakes are usually active during the day, although during hot weather they will become nocturnal. They have to be dark in colour due to the extreme cold that they must tolerate throughout most of the year in Tasmania. Being black allows the Black Tiger Snake to absorb heat more readily—a necessity for any reptile living in such unbearably cold environments. It also means that they are absolutely spectacular to see and even tougher to spot in the scrub. Their sensitive forked tongue helps this snake to detect which underground burrows contain a food source.
Habitat
The Black Tiger Snake is only found on the island of Tasmania. This species of snake inhabits dense woodland, heathy shrub land and dense tussock grassland, often around waterways and swamps.
Diet
A Black Tiger Snake’s diet consists of frogs, small mammals, lizards and other snakes. On small offshore islands where Shearwater (seabird) colonies exist, adult Black Tiger Snakes will seasonally gorge feed on chicks to build fat reserves for the rest of the year. Adults killing large prey do not even need to complete a bite in order to inject venom, this being injected by momentary muscular pressure on the venom gland as the fangs penetrate in an open-mouthed jab-bite. The ungripped prey is allowed to pull away and attempt an escape. After a short delay, the Black Tiger Snake will follow the scent of the prey towards its cover or retreat, which it rarely reaches before succumbing to the venom. Juveniles killing small skinks and frogs usually bite and maintain their jaw grip until the prey can be ingested.
Habitat
The Black Tiger Snake is only found on the island of Tasmania. This species of snake inhabits dense woodland, heathy shrub land and dense tussock grassland, often around waterways and swamps.
Diet
A Black Tiger Snake’s diet consists of frogs, small mammals, lizards and other snakes. On small offshore islands where Shearwater (seabird) colonies exist, adult Black Tiger Snakes will seasonally gorge feed on chicks to build fat reserves for the rest of the year. Adults killing large prey do not even need to complete a bite in order to inject venom, this being injected by momentary muscular pressure on the venom gland as the fangs penetrate in an open-mouthed jab-bite. The ungripped prey is allowed to pull away and attempt an escape. After a short delay, the Black Tiger Snake will follow the scent of the prey towards its cover or retreat, which it rarely reaches before succumbing to the venom. Juveniles killing small skinks and frogs usually bite and maintain their jaw grip until the prey can be ingested.
Mozambique Spitting Cobra
This is probably the most dangerous snake second to the Mamba. When confronted this snake can rear up two thirds of its body and can spit its venom with quick moving accuracy. The venom is ejected from two small holes near the tip of the teeth and is usually aimed at the eyes. The effect is instantaneous causing intense smarting and inflammation and if not washed out with milk or water will cause permanent blindness.
The colour varies between olive-grey, tawny brown or grey with the scales in between a black colour. The belly is usually a lighter yellow colour. Adults average a length of 1 and 1.5 metres. The eggs average 10 to 22 in number, hatchlings measure 230-250mm.
The distribution includes Natal, Low veld south-eastern Tanzania and Pemba Island and west to southern Angola and northern Namibia.
This snake is a nervous and highly strung snake. When confronted at close quarters this snake can rear up to as much as two-thirds of its length, spread its long narrow hood and will readily "spit" in defense, usually from a reared-up position. By doing this the venom can be ejected at a distance of 2-3 metres (5½ - 8¼ feet), with remarkable accuracy. The spitting cobra does not often actually bite despite its aggressive behaviour, and also shares the same habit of feigning death to avoid further molestation.
The average length of adults is between 900mm - 1,050mm (2½-3 feet), but largest specimen actually measured was a male 1,442mm (4 feet) long. (Trelawney, Zimbabwe)
BehaviourVenomIt is considered one of the most dangerous snakes in Africa, second only to the Mamba. Like the Rinkhals, it can spit its venom. Its bite causes severe local tissue destruction (similar to that of the puff adder). Venom to the eyes can also cause impaired vision or blindness.
The colour varies between olive-grey, tawny brown or grey with the scales in between a black colour. The belly is usually a lighter yellow colour. Adults average a length of 1 and 1.5 metres. The eggs average 10 to 22 in number, hatchlings measure 230-250mm.
The distribution includes Natal, Low veld south-eastern Tanzania and Pemba Island and west to southern Angola and northern Namibia.
This snake is a nervous and highly strung snake. When confronted at close quarters this snake can rear up to as much as two-thirds of its length, spread its long narrow hood and will readily "spit" in defense, usually from a reared-up position. By doing this the venom can be ejected at a distance of 2-3 metres (5½ - 8¼ feet), with remarkable accuracy. The spitting cobra does not often actually bite despite its aggressive behaviour, and also shares the same habit of feigning death to avoid further molestation.
The average length of adults is between 900mm - 1,050mm (2½-3 feet), but largest specimen actually measured was a male 1,442mm (4 feet) long. (Trelawney, Zimbabwe)
BehaviourVenomIt is considered one of the most dangerous snakes in Africa, second only to the Mamba. Like the Rinkhals, it can spit its venom. Its bite causes severe local tissue destruction (similar to that of the puff adder). Venom to the eyes can also cause impaired vision or blindness.
Coral Snake
The coral snakes are a large group of elapid snakes that can be subdivided into two distinct groups, Old World coral snakes and New World coral snakes. There are 11 spices of Old World coral snake in one genus , and over 65 recognized species of New World coral snakes in three genera (Leptomicrurus, Micruroides, and Micrurus).
Sea Krait
The colubrine sea krait, banded sea krait or yellow-lipped sea krait (Laticauda colubrina) is a species of sea snake found in tropical Indo-Pacific oceanic waters.Banded sea kraits rest and nest on rocky headlands and beaches of Sabah, Borneo. They can be seen in the wild at Pulau Tiga, the tip of Borneo and Mabul island. They are, however, seen on a many other rocky headlands around Sabah that are harder to access. Occasionally they come ashore at Tanjung aru close to Kota Kinabalu. They can be seen in captivity at The Green Connection, an aquarium in Kota KInabalu. The males come ashore early in the evening and wait at the high tide line for the females. Females are much larger and many males will escort and intertwine around a single female. They are also seen on Kadavu Island in Fiji and you'll often find them in the shallows whilst snorkelling. A specimen identified as a banded sea krait was seen on a small island off pandre burgos, Luzon, Philippines, in November 2010. Locals familiar with the island say the snakes are most frequently found in crevices in the rock by day and roaming the beach and nearby waters after dark.
The forest cobra
The Forest Cobra is the second largest species of Cobra on earth. The RainForests of western Africa are home to this large predator, reaching lengths of over 7 feet this Cobra can deliver a very powerful bite to any would-be predator. Not afraid to stand their ground, the Forest Cobra is often regarded as an aggressive species in captivity.Mating behavior of the African Forest Cobra includes male ritual combat. Two males will literally "dance" with each other to determine who wins the right to mate with the female cobra. Death or serious injury rarely occurs from such ritual behavior. Once a male has established his dominance the loser will generally move on with out any further incident. Juvenile cobras however must beware of large adults, the cobra is cannibalistic and will readily make a meal out of smaller snakes. Recent data suggests this species is declining rapidly near and around expanding human habitations as well as agricultural areas. This snake species may never have existed in large numbers to due it's position in the environment as an apex predator.
Range: Western tropical Africa. Senegal east to western Ethiopia and southern Somalia, south to Angola and Natal
Habitat: Heavily forested regions of western Africa. Sierra Leone and surrounding regions.
Natural Diet: Small mammals & birds, snakes
Diet at Rain Forest: Pre-killed rodents
Size: 6-8 feet, specimens have been recorded over 9 feet in length.
Range: Western tropical Africa. Senegal east to western Ethiopia and southern Somalia, south to Angola and Natal
Habitat: Heavily forested regions of western Africa. Sierra Leone and surrounding regions.
Natural Diet: Small mammals & birds, snakes
Diet at Rain Forest: Pre-killed rodents
Size: 6-8 feet, specimens have been recorded over 9 feet in length.
Pope's Pit Viper
The Pope's pit viper is a generic name assigned to members of thePopeiorum complex which ranges throughout Southeast Asia in Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Borneo and Indonesia (Sumatra). In Malaysia, this is a semi-terrestial venomous species that has two distinct forms. From the mainland, Trimeresurus fucatus is green with faint dorsal crossbands while the tail is rusty brown and irregular, the eyes may be greenish, copper or yellow; from Langkawi and Southern Thailand, the populations are similiar in colouration but a postocular stripe may occur in males (always in Langkawi populations) while both genders have orange red eyes. Male popes have a red ventrolateral stripe while females are larger and more robust.
It is possible that that future research may split these two forms into different species, but for now, both forms are classed asTrimeresurus fucatus. Another species recently described from Tioman Island is Trimeresurus buniana, which is similiar to a Pope's pit viper but with blue colouration. Their body is also described as being more slender and dorsal spots are present, though the scalation remains the same as the mainland form. The Pope's pit viper is an adept hunter of lizards, frogs, rodents and small mammals, travelling quite frequently to hunt during the night. They are often found coiled on low-hanging shrubs and trees in a striking position, along streams and pools of water in rainforest.Trimeresurus fucatus occurs throughout the Peninsular and can be found up to 900 m in elevation, occuring sympatrically withTrimeresurus nebularis at the lower points in the Cameron Highlands.
It is possible that that future research may split these two forms into different species, but for now, both forms are classed asTrimeresurus fucatus. Another species recently described from Tioman Island is Trimeresurus buniana, which is similiar to a Pope's pit viper but with blue colouration. Their body is also described as being more slender and dorsal spots are present, though the scalation remains the same as the mainland form. The Pope's pit viper is an adept hunter of lizards, frogs, rodents and small mammals, travelling quite frequently to hunt during the night. They are often found coiled on low-hanging shrubs and trees in a striking position, along streams and pools of water in rainforest.Trimeresurus fucatus occurs throughout the Peninsular and can be found up to 900 m in elevation, occuring sympatrically withTrimeresurus nebularis at the lower points in the Cameron Highlands.