Snake ID Please

Snake ID Please

Postby Westor » Fri Nov 05, 2010 8:33 am

Hi Folks,

First time have posted, always logged in feeding my addiction with the valuable information on the site.

Found this odd snake near Rustenburg on the farm roads but unfortunately it was run over.
I have never seen this type of snake in this region.
Color is white/leucistic, you can see pink if you hold it to the light.
Very tiny eyes.
Approx. 70 - 80cm long.
Found during night time.
Pls help me to identify.

Hope the images WORK!

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Re: Snake ID Please

Postby Smeegle » Fri Nov 05, 2010 8:54 am

I'm going with Cape Wolf Snake (Lycophidion capense).
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Re: Snake ID Please

Postby Waz » Fri Nov 05, 2010 8:59 am

I'd say Olive House Snake. Wolf snakes don't get that big do they?
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Re: Snake ID Please

Postby Smeegle » Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:02 am

Waz wrote:I'd say Olive House Snake. Wolf snakes don't get that big do they?


Very true, too big for a Wolf. Now that you mention it, I think they only reach about 50cm.
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Re: Snake ID Please

Postby Westor » Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:07 am

But why the Albinoish color? It lacks the looks of a olive house. Very similar to the Rhinoplocephalus nigrescens except for the color and the body shape, this snake has an triangular body shape.
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Re: Snake ID Please

Postby alexander » Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:14 am

Very difficult to see well, I would say Cape File Snake, triangular shape, white dorsal crest, pink skin (when held up to light), small eyes and nocturnal.
If it is Mehelya capensis, then nice find.
But that head does resemble an Olive house snake.
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Re: Snake ID Please

Postby Westor » Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:24 am

The scales are not as ruggid as the cape file. The head does not resemble a cape file. This snake's eyes are as big as the head of a needle. I am realy baffled.
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Re: Snake ID Please

Postby Fooble » Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:28 am

Not an olive house, looks too big for a Wolf snake.

The small eyes suggest a fossorial snake ,i was tempted to say a Stilletto but looks too large and the tail too slender.

All points towards Purple Gloss Snake - Amblyodipsas polylepis .
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Re: Snake ID Please

Postby Westor » Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:35 am

Yes the head does resemble the Amblyodipsas polylepis. Any ideas on the color of the snake?
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Re: Snake ID Please

Postby Fooble » Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:38 am

Yes They can vary slightly in colour.

Photo from flickr
Image

Also have a look here -
http://www.sareptiles.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=8857&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
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Re: Snake ID Please

Postby Westor » Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:41 am

Quickly fetched the DOR, The head is direct match to the Bibron's Stiletto Snake(Scales on the head) but the color is different. Maybe the snake is triangular shaped because of death?
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Re: Snake ID Please

Postby alexander » Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:41 am

Please take a better photo of the head if possible
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Re: Snake ID Please

Postby Westor » Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:45 am

I am going to give it a shot. Back in a couple of minutes.
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Re: Snake ID Please

Postby Fooble » Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:50 am

Just do a scale count, a snake will change colour dramatically when dead as well as body shape.
If you gave the correct measurements then being a Stiletto that would be a close record size.
That tail just looks too slender for a Stiletto they are usually blunted.
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Re: Snake ID Please

Postby alexander » Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:53 am

Also would be worthwhile to check for fangs.
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