Slithering Snakes!

Spotted bush snakes are regular visitors to my garden. I am not a snake lover, but these snakes are quite harmless. If I was ever asked what my favorite snake is, I would say the spotted bush snake. They are slender snakes, and reach a length of one metre. They hunt gecko and frogs and there is no shortage of these in my garden.

"A bright green spotted bush snake
Has made an appearance. 
He languishes on the split pole fence
Absorbing the heat, the sun gleaming off his length.
I take no offence to his presence,
He is harmless and deserves conserving."
~ Caroline Street. A fragment of 'My Piece of Paradise'.

Notice how the markings start to decrease from the middle of the body. Towards the tail there is very few spots. A handsome snake. This one was sitting on the top of the fence, well camouflaged by the creeper. I just managed to photograph him and then he disappeared in an instant.

The problem with the bush snake is that people often mistake them for the green mamba and the boomslang. Both deadly. Before killing a snake it is worthwhile finding out what it is, as it could be harmless. I prefer to never kill a snake, and if I do find a deadly snake, I will phone the local snake catcher. He will catch and then release the snake into the wild.

HOW DOES A SNAKE TRAVEL?

They move over the ground by horizontal oscillations. Pictures showing them moving by vertical contortions are incorrect.

“A special feature is the presence of large transverse scales or shields, extending right across the lower surface of the body, but on the tail frequently divided into a double series. Each scale corresponds to a pair of ribs; and in gliding a snake advances the fore-part of its body. When the scales take hold of the ground the rest of the body draws forwards. The ribs are active in this motion. Because of this, one can call a snake a rib-walker.” Richard Lydekker.