Snakes on a plane... err... trail

[Lexx]

I seriously dont know whats going on with all these snakes lately. Last year we rode all our awesome trails here, and didnt even saw one snake. These last couple of Months the Black Mambas this side just went wild. And they are not Small. My friend was also almost attack on his bike at Ngwenya Lodge. And about 2 Months Back, an old Man from our Town was bitten 3 times by an Aggresive Black Mamba over 3m in his yard and died that same evening in Hospital.

[Andrew Steer]

The underside was black and every now and then a white strip. Much like the picture above. I was always under the impression that a rinkhals was skinnier.

Sorry, only saw this now... almost definately a Rinkhals. They can get as thick as your arm... and three metres+

[Andrew Steer]

http://www.capesnakeconservation.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/ww-2.jpg

Very pretty one... they're usually a lot duller and dirtier

[Jigghead]

http://www.capesnakeconservation.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/ww-2.jpg

 

That's one beautiful snake. Scary, but beautiful...

[DubbelBuys]

I have, just once, at a range of about 80cm, with a male that went well over 3m(his head was level with my chin). My fault; I leopard crawled onto him. He was afraid and cornered by me, and could have bitten me directly in the neck/face/chest with little effort. I stood still, didn't try to run or turn the rifle on him. He calmed down, turned away and took off. He gave me the benefit of the doubt because I did not continue threatening him. Agreed; a Black Mamba is one terrifying snake; he commands respect.

 

I wouldhav'e k@kked myself for sure.

 

I don't kill them in nature, but when they in my yard (on the plot) & close to my loveed ones- family / dog etc. then he has chance to play hide & seek while I fetch the rifle...

[Guest The Bushpig]

http://www.capesnakeconservation.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/ww-2.jpg

 

This is an awesome photo of a spectacular creature. Not cute and cuddly, and definitely not everybody's cup of tea, but spectacular nonetheless. Amazing irridescent colours in the Hood; all nice and shiny, fresh from a skin-shedding episode.

[Guest The Bushpig]

I seriously dont know whats going on with all these snakes lately. Last year we rode all our awesome trails here, and didnt even saw one snake. These last couple of Months the Black Mambas this side just went wild. And they are not Small. My friend was also almost attack on his bike at Ngwenya Lodge. And about 2 Months Back, an old Man from our Town was bitten 3 times by an Aggresive Black Mamba over 3m in his yard and died that same evening in Hospital.

 

Ja, that's odd, and scary. As lucky as I was with that Mamba, I will never choose to have a chat with one unless he's far away or on the other side of a sheet of glass.

 

Be careful out there on the bike!

[Guest The Bushpig]

I wouldhav'e k@kked myself for sure.

 

I don't kill them in nature, but when they in my yard (on the plot) & close to my loveed ones- family / dog etc. then he has chance to play hide & seek while I fetch the rifle...

 

I did, believe me. I still cannot believe just how much of a presence that Mamba had; He just seemed to know that it's Everybody's job to be afraid of him. It was like looking at a Lion close up.

[Vanstone]

Go to YouTube and search "the honeybadger don't give a sh$t". The funniest wildlife "documentary" I've ever seen

[Andrew Steer]

I did, believe me. I still cannot believe just how much of a presence that Mamba had; He just seemed to know that it's Everybody's job to be afraid of him. It was like looking at a Lion close up.

They are crazy scary... my dad used to run a tented safari cape just inland from Sodwana, they weren't too common around there (mainly Cape Cobras), but did see two in my time there. They are big, bluddy fast and generally aggressive. The one ranger there died after being bitten, didn't even make half an hour, and he was a big, very fit and strong young guy. There is a reason their heads are shaped like coffins...

[SyncSA]

Dude, I will kill a snake without any remorse. I had 2 encounters with Black Mamba's in 2 weeks, and both of them are well over 1.7m Long. And believe me, You will feel different once you cross paths with them.

 

And they seem to look for k@k...

[RockCoach]

Snake encounters are the only thing I dislike about MTBing. A black mamba being right at the top of my worry list especially as we often ride as a family.

[RollandBounce]

so the question is what to do when you come round the corner and mr puff is lying there in the middle of the track...

[jules1976]

Last year came across a 3m green mamba in the sugar cane trails ..... nearly k8ked myself ..... we both went our seperate ways

 

i still shudder when i go pass that area on my weekly ride.

 

Hate snakes but go to respect otherwise you looking for big trouble !!

 

with summer fast approaching there will definitely be a lot more of them on the trails.

 

be careful out there guys and girls !

[Firemeister]

 

 

I have, just once, at a range of about 80cm, with a male that went well over 3m(his head was level with my chin). My fault; I leopard crawled onto him. He was afraid and cornered by me, and could have bitten me directly in the neck/face/chest with little effort. I stood still, didn't try to run or turn the rifle on him. He calmed down, turned away and took off. He gave me the benefit of the doubt because I did not continue threatening him. Agreed; a Black Mamba is one terrifying snake; he commands respect.

 

Why were you leopard crawling? Where was your mtb?

[jules1976]

Why were you leopard crawling? Where was your mtb?

 

He wasn't riding a mongoose so had to do it all alone !