Competitions – Page 7

is for – Cheetah, Coral Snake, and Condor.

We’ll look at Coral Snake.

The Coral Snake is well-known for its bright red, yellow, and black hooped skin. Several other snake species have developed a similar colour scheme to mimic the Coral Snake, which is useful because it portrays the non-venomous creatures as dangerous.

There is a rhyme used to remind people how to tell the difference. The rhyme is based on whether or not the red and yellow bands are touching. In more recent years it’s been discovered the simple verse is no longer accurate because of the impersonators.

An accurate, if slightly dangerous method of telling the difference is the bands on a Coral Snake encircle the body, as opposed to being an upper-body decoration.

In respect of the strength of its venom this creature is regarded as second only to the Black Mamba.

***** coral snake

Species: One of few creatures which have two distinct groups before considering sub-species.

The first group are ‘Old World’ where there are 70 species.

The second group are ‘New World’ in which there are 15 species.

Size: They’re a particularly thin creature, some sub-species being as narrow as a pen or pencil. In length they may range from 15 inches to 36 inches dependent on species.

Habitat: The creatures are nocturnal. Old World species will tend to spend daylight hours underground or under leaf-litter. New World species would normally be found in rocky areas of desert, with a tendency to burrow, like most desert-dwelling creatures.

Location: Old World species: Asia. New World species: The Americas.

Diet: Other small snakes, amphibians, lizards.

Predators: Birds of Prey, Foxes, Raccoons, Skunks, and Mongooses.

Info / Strange Facts: In many species, the Coral Snake has a black, bullet shaped head and, a black tail section, which means at first glance it’s difficult to tell whether you are looking at the head or tail. Like most snakes the tail is pointed, rather than bullet-shaped. Due the colour of the head it makes it difficult to see the eyes.

This snake is known to coil its head within its body and raise the tail when confronted, thus leaving a predator to attack the tail. The Coral Snake is more likely to avoid confrontation by slithering into a hole, or crack, or burrowing out of sight.

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is for Basilisk, Barracuda and Buzzard. We’ll look at Basilisk.

There are many lizards but the Green, Plumed, or Double-Crested Basilisk is one of the best-known. The creature has a bright green skin and, distinctive yellow eyes. From head to tip of tail it carries an almost continuous fin, or crest.

There are stretchable areas of skin between its toes similar to, but not as pronounced as those on an amphibian like a frog, toad or newt. The Basilisk can swim underwater for up to 30 minutes.

Basilisk

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Species: The Basilisk is a member of the Iguana family of lizards.

Size: The average length from nose to tail is 25cm, however they are known to reach 90cm.

Habitat: The sub-species can be found in tropical rain forest and, rocky formations, usually where there is a water source.

Location: Generally found across Central America: Western Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Honduras.

Diet: Basilisk species are omnivores and will eat insects, small rodents, smaller lizards and, vegetation including flowers.

Predators: Snakes and birds.

Info / Strange Fact: The Basilisk is famed for its ability to ‘run’ on water in an upright stance on its hind legs and tail. Hence the creature is known in some quarters as the ‘Jesus Lizard’.

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