It slithered effortlessly along the mangrove tangle of roots and mud, flicking its forked tongue actively tasting the air and the ground before it. It kept this up for about 25 metres occasionally disappearing into a hole or behind a mound of mud and roots.
One small monitor lizard shot off like a bullet as soon as it sensed the approaching cobra. Meanwhile the mangrove was waking up with the calls of various birds peppering the morning air. There was a Changeable Hawk Eagle (or Crested Serpent Eagle as one had been seen recently - both have similar calls), a White-Bellied Sea Eagle, the Common Iora and of course the popular Oriental Magpie Robin amongst others.
A bunch of noisy visitors could be heard somewhere nearby and including the bark of a dog. Noisy visitors just like stray dogs are bad news for the reserve. They scare animals away. The cobra took a moment to stop when the noisy vibrations from the visitors reached it.
The snake seemed to have not jet black scales but a slightly blue tinge to its scales. It also seemed to have three ticks or imperfections. I hope it manages to get rid of these ticks when it next moults.
The snake did not mind S and me following it and just kept on looking for breakfast. It soon decided to cross the path before disappearing down a hole in the embankment.
What a wonderful experience!
[The snake was not handled in any way. No sticks, tongs, whatever. Just with a healthy dose of respect and gratefulness that it allowed us to share its path for a few moments.
Using any tool, instrument or contraption to catch any animal in a nature reserve is an offence under the Parks and Trees Act and Regulations. Also, the capturing or displacing of any animal is also an offence. Leave the animals alone and observe them from a distance without disturbing them and you'll be OK.]
Find out more about this wonderful snake here :
{[no artificial light sources were used in filming and care was taken to avoid any interference to the subject]}
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