My second wild Dumeril's (and other things from down south in Madagascar)

[desertanimal]

Hi everyone! Of course I have to share with you some more of my reptile finds. This adorable little Dumeril's was hiding in the dining area on the counter under the towels where the cook puts my rice to keep it warm when it's finished before it's time to eat. The cook ran, screaming from the building just before I was headed out to the forest. It was a cool morning (thank freaking god that at least the mornings are starting to be cool now), and this little one was obviously trying to warm up. I fell totally in love with this one and wanted to badly to keep it (you wouldn't believe how much you miss having pets to touch and hold when you have none, and no people to touch and hold, either). But of course I just let it go beside my tent.

 

[desertanimal]

And of course we can't leave out the chameleons . . .
Those fighting chameleons fell a long way to the ground in their tussle, where they continued to battle for quite some time. It was a big tree, I would think big enough for two chameleons, but apparently I would be wrong. One of these chameleons probably ended up in the belly of the next featured contestant . . . And don't you think that last guy is the scariest chameleon you've ever seen? Go ahead, say it is. It will crush its ego if you say otherwise . . .

 

[snakewispera snr]

Excellent pics. Must be strange seeing all these sought after animals, wild and free and not a thermostat in sight... LOL
You seem to be having a great time, how long before you come back?

 

[desertanimal]

A large crowd was gathered at camp one day when I returned for lunch. I didn't realize why until the cook told me that there was a snake, which of course made me stop eating my lunch and ask where. She took me to the shade structure in the middle of camp, where this little guy was hiding. I have seen them in the trees, but only ever in the trees, and pictures of slender brown snakes on slender brown branches backlit by bright blue or hazy grey sky (the only two options here, it seems) are pretty worthless. So, I was pleased at this opportunity. It was only after we put a bench on top of a table for me to climb on and reach this guy that I realized why everyone was there. Apparently, they were waiting for just this event. I don't know why people who are purportedly afraid of snakes want to wait around to see someone else catch one and move it to a tree, but maybe it's because there's nothing much else to do if you actually live here for real . . . Anyway, you can clearly see that this snake has just eaten, and the only thing I can think of that's the right size and shape for that lump is a sizeable chameleon.

 

[desertanimal]

I don't think I've already posted this, but apologies in advance if I have. I have seen now, three times, these stripey little numbers eating other snakes. And I have to say, being a snake-eating snake seems like really hard work. You would think that it wouldn't be, but it took this snake 2 hours to eat the other. The first problem is to get one's own head detached from the head of the other snake. This guy kept trying to eat, but was getting nowhere because his own bottom jaw was in the mouth of the other, stiff snake. The whole getting his own head free took a half hour or wrenching, and it was very gooey and bloody. Once he got his own head free and could start to eat, things progressed more normally, but I suppose it always takes a long time to eat something that is as big as you are. When he finally finished, you could see the tail of the brown snake sort of jutting out the side of the stripey snake's neck. It was hard work, and I decided that if I had to be a snake, I would much rather eat rodents.

 

[snakemom1961]

Great pictures once again! Yep that last cham was truly scary. I shuddered when I saw him. But then I realized I was shuddering at how beautiful he was...lol

Thanks for sharing them with us and we look forward to when you come home and can share even more pics of your experience.

 

[RobbiesCornField]

Those are some great pictures! I'm sure you can guess that the little Dumerils is my favorite. And that last chameleon is just scary beautiful!

 

[tricksterpup]

Again thanks for posting..
I hope all is going well for you down there.

 

[Nanci]

Glad to hear you're ok! Scout and Colorado are doing well. Scout does not like being on a 10 day feeding schedule- he is out after six days or so wondering when the next meal is coming. Colorado is in shed right now. He sure is beautiful!

 

[Jynx]

Heya Stephanie! Looks like you are having a wonderful time out there! thank you so much for the update... I was just thinking about you the other day. Stay in touch dear, and thanks for the awesome pics!

 

[desertanimal]

Sorry for the delay! Had internet issues! Here are some geckos. I am almost positive that the second gecko was licking up excreta from that insect. Has anyone ever heard of that? Lots of other critters take advantage of insects that way, I just hadn't heard of geckos doing it. I saw the gecko approach the insect slowly, tuck its nose juuuust under the back edge of the insect's wings, the insect's back end moved up and down rhythmically, and after about 10 seconds, the gecko backed away licking its "lips." This happened twice. Dunno.

Also pictured, bucket o' cicadas, bowl 'o fried cicadas, and one fried cicada in hand for scale. Fried cicadas are delicious. DE-LI-CIOUS. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

 

[desertanimal]

And we ALSO have non-reptiles here.

 

[tstephe3]

Awesome pics! I'm suprised the snakes seem okay with you handling them. Lol.. Some of my captive bred snakes probably aren't as nice as them. Lol

 

[desertanimal]

Cont. various non-mammals . . .

 

[ArpeggioAngel]

Of course I love the reptiles, but those lemurs are beautiful! And the colors on those butterflies - holy cow. Sure looks like Madagascar is a photographer's dream!

 

[RobbiesCornField]

Sorry for the delay! Had internet issues! Here are some geckos. I am almost positive that the second gecko was licking up excreta from that insect. Has anyone ever heard of that? Lots of other critters take advantage of insects that way, I just hadn't heard of geckos doing it. I saw the gecko approach the insect slowly, tuck its nose juuuust under the back edge of the insect's wings, the insect's back end moved up and down rhythmically, and after about 10 seconds, the gecko backed away licking its "lips." This happened twice. Dunno.

Also pictured, bucket o' cicadas, bowl 'o fried cicadas, and one fried cicada in hand for scale. Fried cicadas are delicious. DE-LI-CIOUS. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

I can't see the pictures in this post! Is it just me?

 

[desertanimal]

And perhaps my favorite find of all and the cutest thing I have ever seen in my entire life . . . He clearly wants to know: What is WRONG with vazaha?!? Don't they know what TIME it is?!?

Thanks for the comments, all. Katie, I'm taking all the butterfly pics for my niece who's really into them, and I have become a teeeeeeny bit obsessed with trying to get the perfect butterfly picture. I think of you often when I'm taking those shots.

I am having a pretty good time, but I have to admit that 6 months is a realllly long time to be without friends to talk to. I miss my wife. I miss my pets. I miss having someone put a hand on my shoulder sometimes, or getting a hug from a friend. I miss being able to touch my cats' noses and whiskers. And I miss talking to people, like having real conversations. BUT, my best friend arrives in two months to start his research here AND my wife is coming to the site for a month of research on the osteological collection. I just found out this weekend, so I have only two more months of alone-time to go! In general, I'm a fan of alone time, actually, but 6 months of virtually uninterrupted alone-ness is a bit much. I'm not complaining. If you offered to pay my way home tomorrow I wouldn't go. I'm just saying, it doesn't have everything that you really need in life.

 

[desertanimal]

Sorry RCF! Fixed those photos!

I get back in October, snakewispera.

Miss chatting with you guys!

Thanks again for taking care of the kids, Nanci, Katie, and Dale!

I'm heading back to the forest by zebu-cart at 4am, so I'd better get packed up. You'll hear from me again next month! Cheers, all!

 

[jazzgeek]

Hey Steph - Glad to see you're doing well...the photos are EXCELLENT, and you've already responded to the lemur shot on FB.

Gregor and Judas are doing fine, and I'll mention who they're being paired up with this season via PM. But let's just say that you'll have some pied-sided hets in the mix.

Take care! Keep those cards and letters coming in!

Best,
Dale

 

[RavenSpirit360]

Great pics. I would love to be down there experiencing this. It looks like you are having fun Keep the pics coming whenever you can