We are well impressed with these photos that have been sent to us by Gary Brown. The beauty of this Vine Snake is absolutely amazing...
Gary writes...
This Vine Snake was seen in a friend's garden, on a Tea Estate, in Mulanje, SE Malawi.
Colin Tilbury and myself were visiting for the weekend, looking for reptiles.
We moved the snake from a thick bush, so we could get some clear shots, of the threat display, and head markings.
The gloves made it a much easier, and safer job.
Once the photos had been taken, the snake was released back into the same bush.
The snake did strike the gloves a few times, but didn't hold a bite, or try and chew.
The Thelotornis mossambicanus -- or Eastern Vine Snake, is one of two species of Vine Snake found in Malawi, found in the south and, more recently, recorded in the extreme north, near the Tanzanian boarder.
The other is the Thelotornis capensis oatesii – or Oates’ Vine Snake, which is found in the central region and northwards towards the Tanzanian boarder area.
These photos are being used in the, soon to be published, 'Reptiles of Malawi', by myself with Rupert Wilkey.
At the moment we are taking pre orders on the book. Anyone interested can do so by contacting me at my email address; reptilesmw@hotmail.com.
Gary Brown, Mulanje, South Eastern Malawi.
Relevant Links
Relevant Products
Disclaimer; We at Snake Professional & 1-2-1 (Animal Handling) Products do NOT advise this method of handling and doing so is at the handlers own risk!