UBER conservationist Alex Skene, recently photographed two magnificent and unusual reptiles hanging out in Umtentweni.
The fact that these incredible creatures are happily living in our midst is wonderful news. Mr Skene, chairman of the Tweni Conservancy, said on his recent travels around Tweni, he photographed one of the largest water monitors (varanus niloticus), he had ever seen.
‘This lizard eats crabs, snakes and small mammals. It also loves poultry. Although their tails are a strong form of defence, they primarily bite and scratch when threatened. This boy could cause you some serious injury if you corner him,” he said, chuckling.
In a much-appreciated ‘double whammy’, Mr Skene also recently photographed a short-snouted whip (grass) snake, identified by Professor Graham Alexander, author of the book, Reptiles of South Africa.
Mr Skene, who has been a snake enthusiast for many years, had never before seen one, and was really excited to snap this particular specimen which he found taking a swim in his pool in Tweni. The snake is mildly venomous, but poses no real danger to man.
Anyone who spots a snake and would like Mr Skene to identify it can mail a photo of the creature to skenea@gmail.com For more photos, take a look at our gallery.
