I’m having a very snaky month so far, which is wonderful for someone like me who believes that a day without snakes is like a day without sunshine. This morning I was surprised and delighted to see a beautiful long-nosed snake basking in the hot sun on the main path into the Park. It quickly slithered away before I could quite get it in focus. These gorgeous snakes, Rhinocheilus lecontei, are smallish constrictors who like to eat lizards.
That was the only snake I saw (can’t get greedy, after last week’s nightsnake), but I also saw the eerily beautiful flowers of Stapelia, a South African succulent we have growing in one of our ramadas,
…and the lovely flowers of Cereus grandicostatus, a cactus of uncertain origin that twines in a palo verde near the center of the Park.
Since I started this post with snakes, I’ll end with a quick update on Leo, the beautiful kingsnake in my guest room. So far, I’ve only taken him out a few times, but it is a privilege to take care of him and observe him. He has shed his skin once in my care and currently looks shiny and healthy. I have to give him back to his owner soon, and I’ll try to post more pictures before I do.
Stapelia looks gorgeous. And so does the snake. Reminds me of my Arizona Mountain King that my little cat loosed to the world.
ReplyDeleteStapelia is commonly called "carrion plant," because it supposedly smells putrid (I haven't noticed that). It is pollinated by flies, and is hairy. A very interesting plant. The long-nosed looks a little like the mountain king, but the bands are more diffuse and the colors less vivid. There's a black-and-white version that looks a lot like the common king.
DeleteGreat post. I did not get to see a long-nosed last year, maybe this year. Some stapelia species are smellier than others so beware. S
ReplyDeleteThis is only the third or fourth long-nosed I've seen ever. But I seem to be on a roll. Thanks for the comment.
ReplyDeleteI was going to ask about Leo . . .
ReplyDeleteYou've seen more snakes in a month than I've seen in 5 years!
Yes; I'm a very lucky woman!
DeleteHow cool that you've seen some uncommon snakes and were actually able to ID them! Good to know they're out there too! They are beautiful, as are the flowers.
ReplyDelete-Carol
Thanks, Carol! A fellow docent and I were talking about all the snakes I've seen lately, and we agreed that there are a LOT of snakes in the Park, but mostly nobody sees them because they are secretive and fast. I, of course, am always looking for them.
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