Eastern Africa snake, pls help to identify

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Eastern Africa snake, pls help to identify

Postby czrecce » Sat Nov 29, 2014 1:13 pm

Hello everyone,
I have been on business trip to eastern Kenya, and this fella was hanging on the tree near the camp, probably laying ambush on birds:

Image
Image

Anyone got some idea about this snake? Thanks much...
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Re: Eastern Africa snake, pls help to identify

Postby Michael Jones » Sat Nov 29, 2014 4:58 pm

Hi there, that is a juvenile Boomslang. Pretty specimen too.
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Re: Eastern Africa snake, pls help to identify

Postby czrecce » Sat Nov 29, 2014 5:12 pm

Thanks mate!
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Re: Eastern Africa snake, pls help to identify

Postby TonyK » Sat Nov 29, 2014 5:29 pm

That is a Psammophis punctulatus.They are commonly called sand snakes or whip snakes.Just because it is in a tree does not make it a Boomslang .The stripes are a positive way to Identify it as well as the elongated head.
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Re: Eastern Africa snake, pls help to identify

Postby Westley Price » Sat Nov 29, 2014 6:41 pm

I second TonyK
"I am dying by inches from not having anybody to talk to about insects." - Charles Darwin
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Re: Eastern Africa snake, pls help to identify

Postby czrecce » Sat Nov 29, 2014 9:10 pm

Definately right! You guys are amazing, and quick! :smt023
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Re: Eastern Africa snake, pls help to identify

Postby Michael Jones » Sat Nov 29, 2014 11:06 pm

Apologies for the incorrect ID. I was using my phone. Thanks for the correction.
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Re: Eastern Africa snake, pls help to identify

Postby czrecce » Sun Nov 30, 2014 9:16 am

no prob thanks anyway!
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Re: Eastern Africa snake, pls help to identify

Postby Ruan Stander » Sun Nov 30, 2014 4:55 pm

Very much resembles a Boomslang if you disregard colour and/or markings.
Thank you for sharing, nice to see something different.
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Re: Eastern Africa snake, pls help to identify

Postby TonyK » Tue Dec 02, 2014 2:16 pm

predator678 wrote:Very much resembles a Boomslang if you disregard colour and/or markings.

I am sorry but that is absolute nonsense.If we disregard colour and markings then what?The head shape is different ,eye size is different body shape is different and what about those smooth scales?
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Re: Eastern Africa snake, pls help to identify

Postby Ruan Stander » Tue Dec 02, 2014 8:00 pm

In the first image the head could go for a boomslang. Specifically the head shape; I'm not saying it's identical, just very similar.
The things you (TonyK) mention are not apparent at a glance, to me at least. Colour and markings however are the first things that catch the eye, usually.
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Re: Eastern Africa snake, pls help to identify

Postby Westley Price » Wed Dec 03, 2014 9:41 am

Tony, you really need to learn some tact.

Correcting someone is fine, but it's about the way you do it.
"I am dying by inches from not having anybody to talk to about insects." - Charles Darwin
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Re: Eastern Africa snake, pls help to identify

Postby TonyK » Wed Dec 03, 2014 12:42 pm

Westley the moderators are failing this site.I fully understand why nobody bothers with this forum any more.Its the same every day all the kids sit at home on their phones and just post absolute dribble and you guys as moderators do nothing.Really people post on every thread just to get there post count up its a waste of everybodys time.I seldom post on here unless I can make a positive contribution .If you think the site would be better off with me gone then feel free to delete me.Cheers Tony
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Re: Eastern Africa snake, pls help to identify

Postby Ruan Stander » Wed Dec 03, 2014 1:58 pm

No harm done :) I'm not over sensitive and I just look past things.
TonyK I completely understand where you are coming from, and I agree. I had the same mindset for a long time, but as of recently I try to comment wherever I can, even if it's just a thank you.
This is simply to encourage those that are posting and keep the forum alive and well.

The site certainly won't be better off without you, you make valuable contributions, this thread is a good example in a number of ways.
Even though I couldn't be bothered, it would be nice if you would be a little more diplomatic with newer members at least ;)
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Re: Eastern Africa snake, pls help to identify

Postby Westley Price » Wed Dec 03, 2014 2:15 pm

Your second response just reiterates my first comment.

We are not failing this site. This site is not only meant for the select few who have extensive knowledge of reptiles, but we try to cater for everyone, from beginners to the more advanced keeper/hobbyist/field herper.

If we deleted all the posts you wold want us to delete, what's left?

Anyway, let's not clutter the topic further...we wouldn't want the mods will delete it ;)
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