Rinkhals in Africa

Aubrey

Aubrey

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Mar 28, 1999
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670
I noted a movement in the garden and this was the visitor.....

rinkhals.jpg


An African Rinkhals, about 3.4 ft long. (Maxes out at about 6 ft) Despite being able to spread a hood and lift half off it's body off the ground, it's not a Cobra.
I was wearing glasses as their neuro toxic venom is spat at the eyes of any threat. This one tagged my Oakleys about 7 times. When escape wasn't an option ... he feigned death.

My two sons and I managed to get him into a bucket and drove him about 1 mile into a bush area and released him. This image was taken during the release. He no longer struck or spat as I am sure he was out of venom but still had attitude.

I strongly believe not too kill unless a threat or food so despite the risk, I think I did the right thing. Despite Les and all his fears about snakes in Africa, I feel he excagerated the threat for some unknown reason.

2 snakes to fear in Africa...... Pufadder as the b@stard is to lazy to move out of the way and normally strikes between ankle and knee .... with a absolute massive dose of the most evil toxin available ......... long pants and boots takes care of that. Black Mamba ....... only snake I have known to not back off but attack even when I am backing away. A stout walking staff takes care of that. Cobra's are fun but normally if you back off, they leave.

Knife content ....knife on belt was a Mad Dog Wild Thing :D
 
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Venom aimed at movement and yes, I could feel the fine spray on my face as it tagged me. Small droplets also visible. Snake is about 3 years old so must have been working on it's aim.
 
Aubrey said:
Venom aimed at movement and yes, I could feel the fine spray on my face as it tagged me. Small droplets also visible. Snake is about 3 years old so must have been working on it's aim.
Click to expand...

Aubrey - that's pretty intimidating... The only thing that you have to worry about getting spat at you in my area is chewing tobacco:D. You did the right thing....
 
I read that the Black Mamba can travel at 15ft per second in short bursts - faster than most humans. Do you carry anti-venom in your PSK?
 
Great pic. I've spent a lot of time around Diamondbacks but that guy would scare the carp out of me.
Thanks for sharing, thanks for the information.
 
Black Mamba travels really fast for a snake but that is around 15 km/h. I have also read the 15fps claim but in all my encounters ..... I have yet to see one that manage that. The Black Mamba for some weird evolution twist will attack even if not in danger. A fit adult can outrun him in a straight line so claims of it chasing down horses is a little far fetched ..... I stand to be corrected.

Anti-venom in my PSK?? Nope, most all are in liquid form, have a very short shelf live and requires special handling/storage. Unless struck in a major artery, most all will give you ample time (6-8 hours) to get treatment. All major centres have anti-venom. If struck in a major artery, I would rather spedn tha lest few minuets with my family;-) They do say ....... there is nothing to fear but death itslef!

One thing I do carry when in the bush ..... Iridium satellite phone with a fully paid up evac insurance for the family ...... African hospitals are not for sissies!!! (Sissies are girls in Afrikaans;-)
 
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Great pic,I can honestly say I'd rather have used a shotgun then have poison sprayed in my face. Not knocking your ethics ,just don't think I would risk it.
 
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Nah boet ... I agree. (Boet is Afrikaans for brother and is pronounced like "boot") The temptation to kill with a swift strike from my walking stick was tempting.... pulse was way up and adrenalin made any subtle movement impossible. Make no mistake ...... these snakes can and will cause serious harm if you are not very careful. However, my two boys (11 and 14) were jubilant that we managed to catch and release it unharmed. They supplied the running commentary and I had to tell them a few times to keep quiet .... last thing you need is a distraction.

That said, it's not the first snake I have caught and likely not the last. Most often, doing the easy thing and doing the right thing, is not the same thing!

Oh, and if I did get tagged ....after giving me a tongue lashing, my wife would have been sooooo paternal and supportive ;-) Maybe I should tag this ...What men will do for attention?
 
you should get one of those animal catcher sticks, the ones with the wire loop on the end .

haha, i'm a boot! thanks man :)
 
Great pic Aubrey! Allthough I love snakes, I am glad we don't have many dangerous ones around me. My 4 year old daughter is way too curious about animals.

I always thought a Rinkhals was a type of Cobra that adapted the ability to spit its venom. Isn't another name for them Spitting Cobra?
 
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Couldn't you have released it in the state legislature or a convention of lawyers... on second thought, it probably would have fit right in with either.
 
The Rinkhals is not a true cobra but does spit. We also have the Mozambican Cobra here ...gets to about 8 ft long and is a true, spitting cobra. The two white horisontal line (sometimes 3) on the picture confirms it as a Rinkhals ...the Rinkhals also doesn't have the eye pattern on the back of the hood either.

I thought about your suggestion Alberta Ed ...but I think that it would be classified as cruelty to animals ;-)
 
Needless to say I'd prolly make doodie in my pants if I came face to face with that thing and wasn't expecting it.
 
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