Snake in anthill.

[wickets]

Last weekend, we were filling some aarvark or porcupine holes on our runway. I used old anthills as a filling. In one of these, I found a small snake (150mm) that looked like a Fisk's house snake. Of course, this is impossible, as it is about 1000km from their natural range. Which snake (Colubrid or Elapid) has a juvenile form that is spotted, with lots of lime-yellow on the back? (Central Freestate). I did not have a camera, and I was not going to leave the snake in my car parked in the sun for six hours, so, sorry, no pics. I know this is a vague description, but this snake is haunting me. I will go back to find it again for some pics.

[froot]

Sounds like a juvanile mole snake, Pseudoaspis cana.

There is a pic of one in this topic:

http://www.sareptiles.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5021

[Bushviper]

What was the background colour? Juvenile Aurora house snakes are speckled but it is more like a fine dust that big dots. There are also snakes like Shovel snouts which live in anthills and could be slightly spotted.

Try to get pictures because with that description it is rather difficult to be of much help to you.

Next time you can place the snake in a bag UNDER the car and because it is in the shade it will not overheat.

[wickets]

BV, the sides were a slightly barred light grey and the back was lime yellow, with big, black spots.
Froot, I agree that a mole snake would be the most likely candidate, except that the colouration is unlike any juvie mole I've seen. Also the head was shaped more like that of the BHS.
I'm definately going back for pics.
Thanks for your response guys.

[Bushviper]

Wickets you have to go back and find this specimen!

Now you have me intrigued too.

[wickets]

BV, I went back the weekend, but the wind was howling. No luck. I did find two short-bodied ground Agamas though. These are stout-bodied, drab, but friendly little fellows, and we find them oftem at the airfield, basking on the tar runway. As I'm flying every weekend, I'll keep on trying.

[Bushviper]

Wickets please go and ask assitance if you are unable to do this yourself.

Go outside, bend over and then kick your butt for not arranging to get the snake and a camera acquainted with each other.

[wickets]

Been there, done that.

[wickets]

BV, Froot, I think I know what snake it was. Spotted Harlequin snake, Homoroselaps lacteus. (Snakes of Southern Africa, Johan Marais, P128). Aparrantly, rather common, but I have never seen one before, so as you can imagine, I am chuffed. If you compare this picture with a Fiske house snake, it is remarkable how similar their patterning and colours are, considering that one is a colubrid, and the other an elapid. BV, thanks for the tip of putting the snake under the car, never thought of that. Once I get my shoes out of my butt, I'm going back to find an adult one. This time there will be some pics.

[mfezi]

it was in the blue, sorry


don

[wickets]

Thanks Mfezi, stunning snake. The one that I caught did not have the orange, but then it was a juvie. I believe they are also quite variable.

[mania]

is the Spotted Harlequin snake mildly venomous or not

[froot]

Yes it has a mild venom, mostly causes an unpleasant headache.

[Pythonodipsas]

Hi,

Many many years ago when I was young, brave and very dumb I made a harlequin snake bite me to see what the effects would be like. It had such a small gape that its mouth could only fit over the webbing between my thumb and forefinger.

The bite stung badly like a bee sting and gradully subsided after about 30 minutes. No other symptoms at all - no swelling, no discoloration, no headache, no nothing.

[Bushviper]

And the sign for today goes to ...................... Pythonadipsas!!

Yay here is your sign.


Luckily you have grown up and seen the error of your ways.