Caedes

  Nr 10 - Meet ......My Favourite  

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Uploaded: 07/17/06 6:07 PM GMT
Nr 10 - Meet ......My Favourite
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Gaboon Adder - is a highly venomous viper species. Native to equatorial Africa, it has the longest fangs of any venomous snake. It is also the largest member of the puff adder family and possibly the heaviest venomous snake in the world: heavier even than the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus adamanteus.. The dimensions of this thick-bodied reptile can only be described as extreme, with reports of specimens of up to 2.4 metres in length and fangs over 63 mm long.The color pattern with a series of rectangles down its back and hourglass shapes on its sides, is often described as striking and one of the most beautiful of all snakes. The colors include black and different hues of purple, brown, yellow and beige. The head, which is distinct from the neck, looks like a large dead leaf, except for a pair of silvery white eyes. Overall, this is an excellent camouflage in the dappled light conditions of the forest floor.When it feels threatened it's capable of inflating its already bloated body considerably, after which it will force the air out again while flattening its head to produce a loud hissing sound in a slow and steady rhythm. Gaboon vipers prey on a large variety of terrestrial birds and mammals, as well as toads and frogs on occasion. There are also reports of gaboon vipers eating small antelopes and monkeys. - Thanx for checking in... :)

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::fogz
07/17/06 8:13 PM GMT
that is some snake Marietha! what an incredible size it is! soooo glad it is not showing those 63mm long fangs! I would get out of there while the going is good! and thanks for sharing your images - absolutely wonderful!!
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"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift, that is why we call it the present." ...live well ...love much ...laugh often
::Foxfire66
07/17/06 8:26 PM GMT
I knew that.......:-) :-) Not! Still looked like Rattler skin to me. :-)

That boy's got his "nose up in the air" bout something!! Great Shot Marie!!!
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http://www.Digitaldreamart.zoomshare.com
::ResDesOK
07/17/06 8:28 PM GMT
Marietha, he IS extreme and you've captured him extremely well! Fascinating info - thanks! - Patty
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It's all about perspective and perception.
.21citrouilles
07/17/06 9:04 PM GMT
This is a great series Marietha. Great infos too.
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::muggsy
07/17/06 10:20 PM GMT
I knew what it was all along. If you believe that ... I have a bridge in Brooklyn I want to sell you. :o) Think this may be the best snake image in the series so far and that's saying a lot considering how good the others have been. Your doing a great job educating the membership.
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Just an old "Grampa" who still has a Kodak "Box" camera kicking around the attic ... learning and enjoying the wonders of modern digital photography.
::heidlerr
07/17/06 11:21 PM GMT
Well this is a very good capture. I hope you were protected by some kind of barrier. Well done.
Russ
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Anything that excites me for any reason, I will photograph; not searching for unusual subject matter, but making the commonplace unusual. Edward Weston
::Anita54
07/17/06 11:38 PM GMT
Scares me Marietha but then all snakes do. You've certainly captured him in the truest sense and I'm so glad it was you and I just get to look :) Thanks for sharing him with us. Anita
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Resonate with what is true for you and leave the rest.
::katman
07/18/06 12:39 AM GMT
Great image of one of the nastiest vipers on the planet. I handled reptiles for a few years and can say that this snake definitely has a attitude problem. Well done.
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More does not always equal better!
::DigiCamMan
07/18/06 1:52 AM GMT
Another great shot......bye.
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The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people. G. K. Chesterton ........ My Gallery
::cynlee
07/18/06 6:47 AM GMT
Boy, that is some snake! Thanks for the description. The shot is fantastic!
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.auline
07/18/06 6:57 AM GMT
Wow Marietha, this was well worth the wait and keeping us guessing. Fantastic photo, great snake and excellent description !! Love all your photos so far !!!

Auline
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.arnli
07/22/06 2:28 PM GMT
Great picture of a great animal.
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Be happy. Enjoys our earth...Lien.

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