Black Mambas from around Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

For your reports/images, made outside Europe and the "Mediterranean" countries. Not to be too narrow minded and limited to our European/Mediterranean herps.

Black Mambas from around Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Postby Nick Evans » Wed Aug 31, 2016 6:36 am

Hi,

I just thought I'd share some photos of my photos one of my favourite species around, the awe-inspiring Black Mamba!

I'm lucky enough to work with these majestic creatures on a regular basis, as they're often venturing into suburban properties here in Durban.

I've come to learn that their fearsome and vicious reputation is very over-exaggerated, and they're not quite the monsters they're made out to be. They're shy, nervous, and are always looking to retreat. That doesn't mean that they're a snake to mess with!
I've also learnt that they're incredibly intelligent and powerful beasts, which are excellent climbers and are very fast-moving on the ground.

Most of these shots were taken when releasing the snakes (some of which I may have posted before). Most of the time, they don't give me an opportunity to photograph them, they just bolt off into the bush! So these are some lucky shots.
I have only had the privilege of seeing a handful of specimens while out walking in the bush.

P.S, on my screen, it appears most of the pics don't fit properly, with the right side being cut out! Apologies...

A very feisty mamba, which shot straight to the top of an Acacia tree upon release.

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A hatchling which a friend caught. Don't usually see many mambas under a meter long...
Still, an intimidating site even at that size. I find the juveniles are a bit more cheeky than the big ones!

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The only juvenile I managed to catch last season. Well, actually an elderly lady had managed to trap it under a bucket for me (no, I didn't ask her too!)

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Mamba in the sky...

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One of the biggest mambas I've ever seen. Only 2.55m long, but 4kg heavy!

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And then, my best ever call-out, two males in combat! Below is a link to the video on YouTube, and then a link to the full-story:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/gH_SgZNJ3HY
Blog post:http://www.kznamphibianreptileconservation.com/uncategorized/the-dream-call-out/

Thanks for looking!

Cheers,

Nick Evans
http://www.kznamphibianreptileconservation.com
https://www.facebook.com/KZNHerpConservation/?ref=bookmarks#
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Re: Black Mambas from around Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Af

Postby Jeroen Speybroeck » Wed Aug 31, 2016 8:02 am

Now that was a great way to start off my day, thanks a lot!
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Re: Black Mambas from around Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Af

Postby Ruggero M. » Wed Aug 31, 2016 10:49 am

Stunning: it's not enough a video on youtube for such a stuff. You have enough material and experience for a good docu film of the type of Rom Whitaker's about king cobras in India. Hope you will realize something like this in the future! :D
Incredible the capture of both fighting males! :o
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Re: Black Mambas from around Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Af

Postby Jürgen Gebhart » Wed Aug 31, 2016 4:15 pm

Great pics of an impressive Snake species!
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Re: Black Mambas from around Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Af

Postby Sebastian Holzki » Wed Aug 31, 2016 8:45 pm

Great pictures :)
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Re: Black Mambas from around Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Af

Postby Nick Evans » Thu Sep 01, 2016 6:28 am

Thank you so much for the comments guys :mrgreen: Much appreciated!!

Ruggero, I wish! Thank you for the encouragement :)
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Re: Black Mambas from around Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Af

Postby Thomas Reich » Thu Sep 01, 2016 9:25 pm

Great story, highly valuable work, outstanding pictures!

Please keep on being careful.
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Re: Black Mambas from around Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Af

Postby Nick Evans » Fri Sep 02, 2016 11:11 am

Thanks Thomas, I shall do my best!
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Re: Black Mambas from around Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Af

Postby Gabriel Martínez » Fri Sep 02, 2016 11:40 am

Great Nick! Hope to return to Durban one day and see in habitat one of these amazing black mouth creatures! the video of the males fighting is too much cool
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Re: Black Mambas from around Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Af

Postby Tomas Klacek » Fri Sep 02, 2016 1:40 pm

Great photos, keep going Nick, like to read your posts on fb!
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