Snake Identification (help needed)

South African snakes commonly known as non-venomous, including the Natal rock python (Python natalensis).

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Snake Identification (help needed)

Postby Vicent » Wed Dec 04, 2013 10:06 am

Hi all:
I'm living in Spain, and this week we have localised one african snake (53 cm/20,7'') in one container in the harbor of Castellón (East Spain), from Durban harbor.
First identification corresponds with one Dendroaspis angusticeps, but I think that actually is another species (Philothamnus spp.)
Scales are the next:
Preocular: 1
Postocular: 2
Loreal present
Ventral: 162
Dorsal: 15
Supracaudal divided
Subcaudals: 77 (divided)
Supralabial: 8

Please, can you help me about this? Thanks a lot

Vicent Sancho

PD: sorry for my bad english :)

Some photos

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Re: Snake Identification (help needed)

Postby RJG » Wed Dec 04, 2013 10:46 am

I'd say Philothamnus natalensis.
...
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Re: Snake Identification (help needed)

Postby RJG » Wed Dec 04, 2013 10:48 am

Definitely not a Dendroaspis angusticeps.
...
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Re: Snake Identification (help needed)

Postby Qwerty » Wed Dec 04, 2013 11:34 am

That snake has a serious pair of fangs as seen in the third linked picture and Philothamnus spp. lack fangs. Although the head shape looks wrong to me it is most likely a Dendroaspis angusticeps unless it is not an SA species.
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Re: Snake Identification (help needed)

Postby jaroo » Wed Dec 04, 2013 12:05 pm

its not a Dendroapis angusticeps...
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Re: Snake Identification (help needed)

Postby Jamster » Wed Dec 04, 2013 12:19 pm

Does look like philothamnus sp. Interesting that it looks like it has fangs though:)
1.0-reticulated python (Ripcord)
1.1-burmese pythons
5.5-brown house snakes
1.0-taiwanese ratsnake
3.8-BCI
1.1-corn snakes
1.2-rhombic skaapstekers
1.0-yellow rat snake
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Re: Snake Identification (help needed)

Postby Vicent » Wed Dec 04, 2013 12:58 pm

Thanks for you reply
May be Dispholidus typus?
Regards

Vicent sancho
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Re: Snake Identification (help needed)

Postby Bushviper » Wed Dec 04, 2013 2:50 pm

Nope not Dispholidus typus and also not Dendroaspis angusticeps. I have no idea what it could be.
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Re: Snake Identification (help needed)

Postby Blake » Wed Dec 04, 2013 6:16 pm

Philothamnus hoplogaster?
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Re: Snake Identification (help needed)

Postby Serpent » Sat Dec 07, 2013 9:19 am

That is not a snake from South Africa surely, never seen anything like it. Very interesting story though.
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Re: Snake Identification (help needed)

Postby Jamster » Sat Dec 07, 2013 10:51 am

Just for comparrison with philothamnus natalensis (natalensis?)..

IMG_201312073204.jpg
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1.0-reticulated python (Ripcord)
1.1-burmese pythons
5.5-brown house snakes
1.0-taiwanese ratsnake
3.8-BCI
1.1-corn snakes
1.2-rhombic skaapstekers
1.0-yellow rat snake
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Re: Snake Identification (help needed)

Postby Chopper 1 » Sun Dec 08, 2013 10:37 am

Philothamnus natalensis
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Re: Snake Identification (help needed)

Postby Mongoose » Sat Dec 14, 2013 3:03 pm

Eastern Natal green snake - All Philtohamnus have enlarged front teeth for gripping amphibians and lizards.
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