Nile Crocodiles are much smaller than I had anticipated. It's hard to tell from the photo below, but the big guy is maybe 3 or 4 feet long from snout to tail. That being said, the crocs who live in Lake Victoria are huge; the type you see on National Geographic eating an entire zebra. These particular Nile Crocodiles just get chickens.
In Tanzania we had several Monitor Lizards near our home. The Swahili word is "kenge." You don't want to get too close because they lash out with their tails and can break your ankle. Or the bacteria in their saliva will make a nasty infection if you get bit. Our guide told us that too many here in Uganda are killed for their skin, which is used to make drums - the part of the drum you strike/tap. Sadly, she also said that some are skinned alive because there is a belief that it makes the music better.
This Leopard Tortoise is over 100 years old! Along with the chameleons, this was the only reptile which Cooper was brave enough to touch. They are the biggest tortoises in East Africa and can get up to five hundred pounds! I guess this guy's still got a long time before he can start offering rides.
The Egg Eating snake is not venomous, but it sure did thrash around a lot when the kids handled it. Jack thought it made a nice live necklace. Works well with the motorcycle t-shirt don't you think?
Aaah, and here is our old friend (well, two of them), the Forest Cobra, one of the most dangerous snakes in East Africa. This is because its venom is particularly fast acting. I say "old friend" because this is the same type of snake we found in our garden two years ago and killed. Had I known then about the Reptile Village, I might have tried to intervene to save its life. Instead, I just saved our own. Oh well.
And the grand finale - the African Rock Python. These lovely MASSIVE snakes often live inside termite mounds (which are huge - many feet high). This one weighs 30 kilos and was Herculean in its strength. When frightened, it also puts out some serious poop, which is why Jack had dropped his hands from the end of the snake and is trying to figure out what just happened. (See the white spots in the foreground if you must.)
Jack then happily moved next to his sister to steer clear of both dangerous ends of the python.
Lastly, the parents' turn. Only three parents got in on the action; I was definitely not going to miss out, now that the snake had released its fear. Our guide, Diana, is on my left. She has been bitten by snakes seven times, and yet look how happy and healthy she is!
All told, it was a great afternoon. I only felt sorry for the little fluffy chicks chirping in several of the snake enclosures, but I guess if they weren't snake food, they would later be mine, so I'll try not to be too hypocritical.
1 comment:
What an awesome field trip, Kim!!
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