Animals, Africa and other secrets…

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Reptiles & Amphibians Photo Gallery

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CLICK ON THE IMAGES AND THEY WILL ENLARGE, DISPLAYING A CAPTION BENEATH IN WHITE TEXT.
Head of green mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni). This snake spends much time in shrubbery and small trees but is equally at home on the ground where its speed and agility make it difficult and dangerous to try to capture. One of the keepers at the University of Ibadan Zoo was once bitten by a green mamba when travelling from Lagos and undoubtedly would have died had we not had the correct antivenom available. Ibadan, June 1964.
Fangs of green mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni). The fangs of the mambas and cobras are fixed (immovable), unlike those of the vipers which are hinged (see a viper's fangs on page 6 of this section). The fangs are hollow and deliver a neurotoxic venom. The speed of the mamba and the toxicity of its venom make it a very dangerous snake, including to humans. Ibadan, 1968.
Green mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni). Killed on the University of Ibadan campus and then cut open to reveal its most recent meal - a black rat. February 1968.
Eggs of green mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni). Brought to the Zoo by local resident in Ibadan on 10 April 1965 and hatched successfully on 1 May.
Egyptian cobra (Naja haje). Brought to Ibadan from northern Nigeria by a Hausa snake 'charmer'. Precise area of origin unknown. February 1965.
Rear view of head and hood of Egyptian cobra (Naja haje). Brought to Ibadan from northern Nigeria by a Hausa snake 'charmer'. Precise area of origin unknown. February 1965.
It was interesting that this Egyptian cobra did not bite its handler. Closer inspection revealed that the snake's fangs had been removed. February 1965.
Twig snake (Thelotornis kirtlandi). This is a back-fanged snake. Ibadan, May 1967.
Twig snake (Thelotornis kirtlandi). This is a back-fanged snake. Ibadan, May 1967.
Head and tongue of twig snake (Thelotornis kirtlandi). The snake is said to protrude and flicker its black and red tongue in order to attract lizards and perhaps other prey. Ibadan, May 1967.
African beauty snake (Psammophis sibilans). Ibadan, January 1965. This is a back-fanged species.
Egg of African beauty snake (Psammophis sibilans) hatching. Ibadan, March 1968. This was one of a clutch of eggs. Note that the young snake's egg tooth first slits the soft shell before the snake emerges.
Very young African beauty snake (Psammophis sibilans). Ibadan, May 1964.
Boomslang (Dispholidus typus). Bafut area of Cameroon, May 1966. This is another back-fanged species.
Closer view of Boomslang (Dispholidus typus). Bafut area of Cameroon, May 1966.
Showing boomslang (Dispholidus typus) displaying when threatened by inflating the throat. Bafut area of Cameroon, May 1966.
This back-fanged snake (Boiga pulverulenta) appears to have no common name. Ibadan, November 1964.
Head of Boiga pulverulenta. Ibadan, November 1964.
Unidentified frog (dead) having apparently attempted to swallow an emerald snake (also dead). The frog presumably died from internal injuries caused by the violent movements of the snake, although one would have thought that the amphibian would have regurgitated its prey before lethal damage was done. The snake, Gastropyxis smaragdina, is non-venomous and presumably died from asphyxiation. Ibadan, July 1965. (NOW PLEASE CLOSE AND GO TO PAGE 2)
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