Re: kenyan snake

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Posted by Jason Stirnaman on August 08, 2000 at 09:10:09:

In Reply to: Re: kenyan snake posted by WW on July 01, 2000 at 11:06:11:

: : While at the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya last week my wife and I encountered a snake about 4 feet in length, black or dark gray in color, that raised and spread its neck when it was alarmed. Without seeing it, our safari guide told us it was black mamba but all the information I've read and photos I've seen of the mamba discount that. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a picture before it was scared off. Any ideas as to what it was?

:
: Was the neck spreading broad? Did you see whether it had any pinkish or reddish pigment under the neck, behind the main spread part of the neck? It may well have been a black-necked spitting cobra (Naja nigricollis), which usually has these marks.
: Hope this is of some help.

: Cheers,

: Wolfgang

WW,
Thanks for the help. After doing some more research, I think the spitting cobra is a possibility as well. However, there were no noticeable marks, just black. We were 15-20 feet away, but we definitely had a good view of the ventral side of the neck. Also, the spreading was not as broad as I would expect for a cobra, but I'm definitely no expert.

Thanks,
Jason

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: : : While at the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya last week my wife and I encountered a snake about 4 feet in length, black or dark gray in color, that raised and spread its neck when it was alarmed. Without seeing it, our safari guide told us it was black mamba but all the information I've read and photos I've seen of the mamba discount that. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a picture before it was scared off. Any ideas as to what it was? : : : : Was the neck spreading broad? Did you see whether it had any pinkish or reddish pigment under the neck, behind the main spread part of the neck? It may well have been a black-necked spitting cobra (Naja nigricollis), which usually has these marks. : : Hope this is of some help. : : Cheers, : : Wolfgang : WW, : Thanks for the help. After doing some more research, I think the spitting cobra is a possibility as well. However, there were no noticeable marks, just black. We were 15-20 feet away, but we definitely had a good view of the ventral side of the neck. Also, the spreading was not as broad as I would expect for a cobra, but I'm definitely no expert. : Thanks, : Jason

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