Photos: world's largest spitting cobra discovered in Kenya

This describes a newly-discovered spitting cobra, Naja ashei, which can reach 15 feet! (The one shown is maybe 5.5 feet.)

That is only three feet shy of the largest recorded King Cobra, and a foot longer than the longest (measured) black mamba! (That's not in the linked article, but I've studied this stuff for years.)

At this time, the Large Brown Spitting Cobra is known only from Kenya.

T-Star

Don't tell everyone, they will import one to Florida and then let it go in the glades.

Oy! Not like it wouldn't have lots of company...

Yet another example of Noah's failure to discriminate...

From Kenya? A relative of O-Hole?

"they will import one to Florida" One is OK as long as it is not preggers, two, of different sexes, probably not such a good idea..

Quote:

"A large venomous snake is very often killed on site with no regard to their position in the food chain and other ecological issues,"

And this is a problem because...................?

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Freedom above all else.

Because the speaker is an eco-freak.

I believe in conservation, but if a snake this deadly is too close to human activity, it needs to be removed to a more remote area or a zoo, or killed.

One of the people being quoted is Richard Leakey, who effectively ended hunting in Kenya. He is largely the reason why ivory can no longer be imported, at least not without a lot of red tape.

Kenya has badly mismanaged its wildlife, mainly through native poaching and the Indian merchants who buy from the poachers. Its elephants were in severe danger. Other countries that have better game management plans have a surplus of elephants, which have to be culled.

T-Star

There are three kind of snakes I don't like
1: a live one
2: a dead one
3: a rubber one

I've always thought killing a snake to be an integral part of the identification process. Once it is dead, and only then, will I quit hopping around screaming like a little girl (sorry ladies) and be able to say (with dignity) "Oh look, a copper mouthed water rattler". This of course applies to "normal" snakes, like say 6" to 18". Anything +18" will be identified as an Anaconda, and automaticly carries a 12' size increase in subsequent re-telling of my endeavors to make the planet safer.

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James L. "Jim" Rhiner

Did you see the news item about a Reticulated Python that is over 40 feet long? Just amazing, for a confirmed measurement of a living snake! I think the story actually said 49 feet.

Found one story on it: http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/12-29-2003-48992.asp

That's why Sip left kenya

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Forum consigliere

Now wait a minute, there's a snake out there 49 FEET long? 3 FEET in diameter? :O I gotta get me a spoon!!

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James L. "Jim" Rhiner

You eat snake with a spoon?

"There is no spoon."


Cat

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Think for yourself.

I think the only serious predator for a snake that large is man. We need to get busy and do our job! If you can’t eat it make boots and belts! Capitalism at work! Get the people employed!

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Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus

I'm talking about the spoon you can't talk about.

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James L. "Jim" Rhiner

Ok, I am no tree hugger but killing a snake or any other animal just because is not right. And the following post about "if they are close to humans", we have to remember that most "dangerous" animals are close to humans because of human encroachment into the animals habitat.

IMHO the planet is overpopulated with 2 legged animals for it's own good.

Sorry No Dash, but if I am in a situation where it comes down to me or a snake that can kill me, or blind me for that matter, it is toast. Then again, I am not about to go stomping around Kenya anytime soon.

I was mostly busting on what seems to be a person who thinks that the world would be better off without those nasty humans messing things up. There really are eco-nutjobs out there who believe that it would be best if people were gone.

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Freedom above all else.

I guess that I'm too naive to get this.

I can talk about my spoons. Like the knives and forks, they're the Michangelo pattern from Oneida, in stainless steel, which I really prefer to silver. I have both teaspoons and soup spoons. And neither is a good defense against a big Reticulated Python.

The python doesn't even need a spoon to eat people...and they have!

Sorry about the confusion. A while back, our local Air Force representative would add at the bottom of certain posts ( e.g. "what would you use to hunt bear, man, sasquatch etc.) "did I tell you I once killed one of those with a spoon?" Soon, the spoon took on a life of it's own, with stealth versions, tactical versions and a few you eat with. So now, when confronted with humorous, impossible situations, I want THE spoon, as it seems to be a do-all self defense tool.

All in fun.

BTW, if ACTUALLY confronted with a 49' anything, I'd want something in 45-70, preferably belt-fed!

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James L. "Jim" Rhiner

I don't know if anyone here has clearance to discuss such things.

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Forum consigliere

I agree WG..Some of the snakes we have here are bad enough.If i'm out hunting and spot one.Bang.I had a Red bell black in the back yard once.No more, He dead,

Ken

Red-bellied Black Snake, right? Bad actor.

I was always amazed at the casualness with which Steve Irwin handled even the Fierce Snake, a form of the Inland Taipan. But I have his African snake video, and those snakes acted about like one would expect of them. It scared him, consderably. But if you chase cobras, mambas, and boomslangs, you have to be half crazy. Can't recall if he molested a puff adder or Gaboon Viper.
My guess is that he knew that they could strike too fast.

He did pursue red spitting cobras, wearing goggles.

Not meaning to change the thread but I did think Steve Irwin would have bitten the bullet by being bitten by a crock. I can hear it now "oh ****! I got to close."

We were all waiting for a croc to take him.


Ken

I actually do like snakes and have kept them as pets as a child. However, a spitting cobra would be dead, dead, dead! It is dangerous to me, my family and the neighbors dog. Nothing wrong with them slithering through the forest but I don't want them in the rose bushes next to the house!!

Now you've done it! Merely mentioning it has probably placed us all on a watch list......

Me and snakes are on a live and let live basis. If they don't threaten my life, I leave them alone. I've lived in close proximity to water mocs, rattlers, corals, cotton mouths, copper heads and probably more. I find if left alone they usually leave me alone. Thankfully no one has managed to introduce black mambas to FL. An aggressive territorial snake that can get big enough to rear up and look me square in the eyes while hunting me would be in for trouble!