Thursday, August 27, 2009

Cape Coral Snake - Aspidelaps lubricus lubricus



OneStonedCrow Pics

CAPE CORAL SNAKE
Aspidelaps lubricus lubricus

This colorful specimen, about 40cm long, was captured on a neighbor's veranda one evening and contained in a cooler box overnight.

The next day I went into the desert to release it, hoping to take some cool pics in it's natural environment. Hah! ... as soon as I tipped the box over it attacked me; most of the shots turned out fuzzy because I was too busy dodging and running. Eventually it maneuvered itself close to a small scrub bush and disappeared.

It is well known for being a very bad-tempered snake, even after years in captivity.

The Coral snake eats lizards, other small snakes and rodents.

Virtually nothing is known about the venom of this snake, though it is believed to be dangerously neurotoxic (nerve destroying).

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2 comments:

  1. I've heard of a Coral snake...but I never knew there was a Cape Coral snake until I read this!

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  2. Thanks for the visit and comment CCB - yes, I believe that the name is derived from it's habitat, the Cape Province of South Africa.

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