Snakes and lions
As well as lions, we are coming across a lot of snakes at the moment. The Lion Guardians have been spotting them in holes, up trees and in grass, others on the road, and even one flying through the sky – read more to find out how!
Late one evening while the Lion Guardians team were returning from tracking, we saw a 3ft puff adder crossing the road.
Only a kilometre later we saw another one, 4ft long! Lenkai had a closer inspection of one of the deadly venomous snakes!
Another snake we spotted was a 12ft long python, which had been enjoying the influx of ground feeding birds to Eselenkei, feasting on the migratory wattled starlings which are in their hundreds here at the moment.
Speaking of snakes eating birds, here is the opposite – a red spitting cobra was given a bird’s eye view of our Eselenkei Lion Guardians camp early one morning while clasped in the strong claws of a Bateleur Eagle which had just caught it; a good breakfast for the bird of prey!
Below are a couple of snakes which took us a while to identify. Can you guess what they are and if they are venemous or not? (To give you a clue – the greyish snake is about 5ft long and the black and orange spotted snake about 1ft)
Good luck with your guesses! Now, we’re off to find some lions, instead of snakes!
Wow, wow! These photos are wonderful. The red spitting cobra is beautiful. So is the black/orange spotted one. Can’t help you with the names of the last two.
Be careful out there guys!!
Love those photos people!!
Great photos of snakes! You have some good ones!
Your recent post,’Lion Guardian needs help’ has disappeared off your site?
Thanks for all your comments! But no guesses of the snakes yet?
Brenton – there was unfortunately a problem with this post. Sorry about that!
Is the grey one a boomslang?
I believe the bottom one is a sand-boa and the top one…not sure.
Question? Are the Lion Guardians getting some funding from Defenders of Wildlife here in the United States? I received an email from them and they were eluding to that?
The gray snake looks like a Black Mamba, very venomous, and the orange and black one – a Sand Boa, harmless to humans and nice to hold.
You’re lucky to see so many snakes. Very beautiful creatures – just be careful.
Is there anyone in LG’s that can answer my questions that I posted on 24 June about Defenders of Wildlife?
Hi all,
The grey snake is a boomslang, and the black and orange is a Kenyan sand boa!
Dana – sorry for the delay in replying to your comment – we were pleasantly surprised by the Defenders’ interest and support.
Thanks for all your comments!
Thanks for answering about Defenders. I have donated $100.00 for them to give to you. Interesting to see how that will work.
Not a fan of snakes but they fascinate me and these photos were great. I would be on edge if I saw any of them. My dog Nike would not last a day there in Africa.
Received an email on Thursday from Defenders and their Rep said that two wire transfers have been made and a third will be sent to your bank account at the end of the month. I’m sure my donation will be included there.
That is fantastic news! Thank you very much Dana!