Africa

Hi John

Sand snakes are quite harmless to humans, but not to frogs and lizards. But they can give you a nasty nick on your finger. Sand snakes are really fast tough little things and actually chase their prey. In Zambia (Chiawa Camp), we saw a brown sand chasing a lizard on top of the thatched roof of the lounge. The lizard came sliding down the slope and jumped off - the snake was right behind the lizard and also jumped off the roof.

Gaurang

jweis

Psammophis orientalis.
Currently called the "Eastern Stripe-bellied Sand Snake."

I've taken photos of this same species on several occasions in Bots too, most recently this past June at DumaTau right in the camp. Set up my tripod and fired off a couple hundred shots.

These guys are quite diurnal and are often active in the heat of the day.

Nice pic - I did a double take when I saw it!

James

afrigalah

Thanks, James. The stripe-bellied sand snake (without the 'eastern'-- is it the same one?) is described in my 'Wild about the Okavango' book but I had ruled it out because the colours aren't the same. The book doesn't give its scientific name.

I think I've seen the same species in Selinda camp, on the same trip...but it moved too fast to be sure.

John

jweis

Hi John,

The one in the Wild Okavango book is the "Western Stripe-bellied Sand Snake (Psammophis subtaeniatus)."

I've seen only ever seen the Western species once in Bots. They are apparently common in the Limpopo Valley and favor a more arid environment (esp. mopane and acacia veld).

The Eastern species is supposedly found more often near water (which is where I have always seen them).

As you may know, they are considered to be southern Africa's fastest snake (but apparently also good at posing for photos)!

James

PredatorBiologist

James: I saw the western species at Deception Valley Lodge -- at least that's what you id'd the photo as since I incorrectly had it as olive grass snake.

afrigalah

Thanks again, James. Looks like I've finally got a definite ID then. We were just driving away from the water at Twin Pans, about 7 klicks west of Selinda camp, when the guide saw this fellow (I wonder how many concessions have a place called 'Twin Pans'? ). The guide spotted it crossing the track, but it was then so well concealed in the undergrowth and so small that I had great trouble picking it out. But when I got out of the vehicle with the macro lens, it indeed posed beautifully for quite a long while. I gradually worked my way into the grass, taking 'insurance' shots until the guide suggested I get no closer. A friend took this photo from the vehicle: http://www.afrigalah.com/miscimg/Sandsnake(Cliff).jpg

afrigalah

Had to shorten the file name to get the link to work:

www.afrigalah.com/miscimg/SandsnakeC.jpg

afrigalah

And before anybody else says it: That's a <i>real</i> snake in the grass

John

santharamhari

John,

Kwando has an area called, &quot;Twin Pools&quot;

Hari

afrigalah

Hari,

As you'll see on that map I sent, there are some interesting names for pans, palm islands and other features in the Selinda reserve. The place called 'Bowling green' featured in the Taylor/Hinde documentary &quot;In Broad Daylight&quot;, about the hunting habits of Selinda's lions, wild dogs and cheetahs. The lions would ambush their prey on the 'Bowling green.' If you haven't seen it, it would be worth looking for.

John

santharamhari

Ok, John......will look for it. I have saved that map and will print it out soon. Thanks

Hari