If that crab-eating snake you filmed was Fordonia leucobalia, I'm more excited about that find than the spitting cobra! They specialize in eating crabs exclusively, but they target crabs much larger than what they would be able to consume whole. Instead they'll pin a large crab against the mud with their body and swallow each leg individually, taking advantage of crabs' autotomous limbs and using leverage to rip each leg from the crab's body once it's begun to swallow it! Aside from some some blindsnakes, it's the only snake species reported to dismember its prey before consuming it instead of swallowing it whole. After swallowing every leg, the snake will leave the body of the crab on the mud still alive as an octuple-amputee (or deca-amputee, if it consumes the claws as well). They have shortened teeth specialized for crushing the crab legs to allow for faster penetration of digestive juices and better grip as they're ripping the legs off, and they have special salt glands to deal with the saltwater that fills the inside of crabs' body cavities. Their intestinal walls are thickened to help deal with the rough exoskeletons as well. BBC's Life in Cold Blood managed to film a short section of a crab-eating snake predating on a crab that's well worth checking out. When it came out, I remember it being the most remarkable and unusual footage of the whole series. There's another short excerpt online of that clip's videographer talking about his surprise to find the snakes literally jumping and leaping across the exposed mangrove mudflats to move across the surface faster without getting stuck in the soft mud. Though it's not much to look at, I can't think of a single snake with more unusual or specialized feeding adaptations.
Wow.. thank you for the education, along with the reference,, while I can easily find some information on Google about the crab eating snake, I was surprised that I can't find much in my plethora of printed material.. it seems that John M. Mehrtens himself left out this species in his publication, "Living snakes of the World".. my go to publication with color photos. Kudos to you for peaking my interest.. well done !
Which was better... yes! 🙂 Both great... I shared your excitement on the spitting cobra... I've seen king's in Malaysia and Indo... but never a spitting! The retics in the wild are gorgeous! Cheers!
Wow; what an awesome vid, Lou!! Your persistence with the cobra was highly commendable. Great footage , commentary (and replies) concerning the water snakes. Yes; oriental whips are such spectacular snakes! Stunning!
That spitter picked up a scent of a rat or something around the beer can. I used to study elapid tongue movements of all things haha. Another great video. Hit me up for a herp if you are ever in North Queensland.
Your persistence and patience pays off again - thank you for another engrossing and informative herp / wildlife video! So glad to be included in your figurative "we"! Kudos, Lou, and stay safe!
Awesome Lou - You found a True Cobra in this spitting Cobra as King Cobras are more in the Mamba Family and just called a cobra? Sweet Retic as well. Thanks...
Good stuff. The spitter was awesome. I kept expecting it to catch something. It was on a mission. I liked the day better because of the butterflies but the python was pretty cool too.
3:41-3:44, 4:28-4:30, 5:22-5:23, 5:30-5:31, 5:44, 6:01-6:3011:56-11:57 I loved watching the little crabs running away from the siptting cobra as it was cruising around searching for food! They're probably used to running away from crab-eating snakes. 9:13-9:14 fish, bottom left in front of the log 10:13-10:15 some small bug on the bark/debris to the left of the snake in front of its body. Maybe a small leaf mimic mantis or an ambush or assassin bug?
A park worker at the Singapore Botanical Gardens told me that there were some resident spitting cobras there, I don't recall which area of the gardens.
the spitting cobra was a lifer for you!......here in BKK I got to see the Ruamkatanyu Foundation release a Reticulated Python (a Lifer for me!) that appeared in someones toilet here just NE of Don Meuang.....beautiful snake!
I could see that the spitting cobra was getting distracted by the can, I noticed that there some little crabs. So maybe the little crabs got his attention for a little while.
Hope you find more rough green snakes, Lou. I’ve found plenty in my time . . . 40 plus in one week on the side of a creek in east central Texas back in the ‘80’s. Will R. is def an “expert” in funding smooth greens.
An ideal way to observe a spitting cobra. The snake is not agitated in any way. My brother lives in Singapore, when I visit him I will try to persuade him to exploit this area. I really enjoyed this episode.
The cobra looking for beer makes my day! I wonder if beer would affect its spitting accuracy. lol Loved that python! Retic's pattern is one of my most favourite pattern. Great video, Lou! Singapore is never a disappointment.
Wow Lou!! That was a mighty fine snake spottin expedition 😁My fav would have to be that Python. Fliipid beatifull 😍 cheers and be safe from Neal in OKC.
Great video and thank you for all your suffering to bring us this footage! I never saw the Spitting Cobra in my single encounter with one in Nigeria. It was invisible to me even before it spat its venom at me. A Spitting Cobra is Extremely Precise with its aim: it landed the venom right on my eyes. Had I not been wearing my glasses, it would have gotten me fair in my eyes and I would have been blind and in a Lot of pain. Your Cobra was actively hunting and so was mine. I am glad you were not its meal! Great stuff! Thanks!
My day is made - Lou posted
Couldn’t let the weekend go by without a video doc. Lou B
@@loub747 and a banger with the spitter - love that snake
If that crab-eating snake you filmed was Fordonia leucobalia, I'm more excited about that find than the spitting cobra! They specialize in eating crabs exclusively, but they target crabs much larger than what they would be able to consume whole. Instead they'll pin a large crab against the mud with their body and swallow each leg individually, taking advantage of crabs' autotomous limbs and using leverage to rip each leg from the crab's body once it's begun to swallow it! Aside from some some blindsnakes, it's the only snake species reported to dismember its prey before consuming it instead of swallowing it whole. After swallowing every leg, the snake will leave the body of the crab on the mud still alive as an octuple-amputee (or deca-amputee, if it consumes the claws as well). They have shortened teeth specialized for crushing the crab legs to allow for faster penetration of digestive juices and better grip as they're ripping the legs off, and they have special salt glands to deal with the saltwater that fills the inside of crabs' body cavities. Their intestinal walls are thickened to help deal with the rough exoskeletons as well. BBC's Life in Cold Blood managed to film a short section of a crab-eating snake predating on a crab that's well worth checking out. When it came out, I remember it being the most remarkable and unusual footage of the whole series. There's another short excerpt online of that clip's videographer talking about his surprise to find the snakes literally jumping and leaping across the exposed mangrove mudflats to move across the surface faster without getting stuck in the soft mud. Though it's not much to look at, I can't think of a single snake with more unusual or specialized feeding adaptations.
Wow.. thank you for the education, along with the reference,, while I can easily find some information on Google about the crab eating snake, I was surprised that I can't find much in my plethora of printed material.. it seems that John M. Mehrtens himself left out this species in his publication, "Living snakes of the World".. my go to publication with color photos.
Kudos to you for peaking my interest.. well done !
Great shots of the spitting, could tell you were a bit stoked. Nice find! "Cacaw cacaw!"
Only wished I could have gotten eye level with the cobra. Maybe next time! Arizona coming soon.....
@@loub747 Bring some cooler temps and rain.
Wow, what incredible finds! I always appreciate when birders end up helping me spot snakes haha
Yeah, so do I! It's nice to see them looking down. Couldn't believe my luck with this! Lou B
Which was better... yes! 🙂 Both great... I shared your excitement on the spitting cobra... I've seen king's in Malaysia and Indo... but never a spitting! The retics in the wild are gorgeous! Cheers!
Thanks! Wish I could have gotten eye to eye level with the cobra!! Maybe next time. Lou B
@@loub747 If so... you'd better have your sun glasses on! Cheers!
@@brianfeeley6140 I will!
Captain Lou LIVING THE DREAM! Thank u for sharing your snake travels overseas. Loved the spitter and the retic. Both trips are a win!
Thanks! Trying to share the passion, one video at a time! Lou B
Wow; what an awesome vid, Lou!!
Your persistence with the cobra was highly commendable.
Great footage , commentary (and replies) concerning the water snakes.
Yes; oriental whips are such spectacular snakes! Stunning!
Thanks so much. Had a great day / night! Not sure what else I could have seen to make it better. That said, there's always next time! Lou B
Happy for ya Lou! You’ve been wanting that spitter for a long time. 👏
Thanks! Yeah, not sure why. But always wanted to see one. Good times. Wish you were there.
Lou B
That spitter picked up a scent of a rat or something around the beer can. I used to study elapid tongue movements of all things haha.
Another great video. Hit me up for a herp if you are ever in North Queensland.
Thanks for that info! I most definitely will. Thanks. Lou B
Great stuff as usual Lou.
Thanks so much. It means a lot. Lou B
Great to see a Reticulated python on its home turf where it belongs!! Jim C.
Yeah, agree. And in its natural color form. Lou B
Your persistence and patience pays off again - thank you for another engrossing and informative herp / wildlife video! So glad to be included in your figurative "we"!
Kudos, Lou, and stay safe!
Loved the daytime video of the spitting cobra… it’s not colorful, but it sure is shiny! Thanks for the video post… love your camera work.
Thanks so much. Had a lot of fun on this trip! Lou B
Thanks Lou, the right place at the right time regarding the spitting cobra what a great snake as you say on the prowl for a meal. Nice Retic too.
Right place right time! Exactly. I'll take it!!! Hope alls well Lou B
Awesome Lou - You found a True Cobra in this spitting Cobra as King Cobras are more in the Mamba Family and just called a cobra? Sweet Retic as well. Thanks...
Yeah, I guess that’s true. The retic was icing on the cake for sure. It’s always my pleasure sharing the experience. Lou B
I'm glad you waited. And congratulations on seeing your first spitting cobra!
Thanks so much. That spitter was so awesome to see, even if drag in coloration.
If that was a Redbull can, I'd have been running the other way cuz Redbull gives you wings. The last thing a spitting cobra needs is wings! Lol
Lol. Hadn’t thought about that! Good times. Lou B
Another good day.Captain Lou did an upload.Thx from The Netherlands🎉
Thanks so much! I'm gonna have to get back to The Netherlands sometime! Lou B
Good stuff. The spitter was awesome. I kept expecting it to catch something. It was on a mission. I liked the day better because of the butterflies but the python was pretty cool too.
Yeah, I thought it might catch something too. Next time I’ll try and get eye level with it. Hope alls well my friend. Lou B
Nice video Capt Lou!! 🐍 Be careful out there.
Thanks so much. Always! Lou B
This is rad, so many cool things
You’d dig it out there my friend.
I've been lucky enough to see two Sumatran spitters in Sabah, but unfortunately not in a position to photograph either of them.
That’s awesome you got to see them! Bummer about no pics. Lou B
3:41-3:44, 4:28-4:30, 5:22-5:23, 5:30-5:31, 5:44, 6:01-6:30 11:56-11:57 I loved watching the little crabs running away from the siptting cobra as it was cruising around searching for food! They're probably used to running away from crab-eating snakes.
9:13-9:14 fish, bottom left in front of the log
10:13-10:15 some small bug on the bark/debris to the left of the snake in front of its body. Maybe a small leaf mimic mantis or an ambush or assassin bug?
I think the morning!! That cobra was fantastic!!! 😮
Yeah, I’d have to agree. I hope alls well. Lou B
@@loub747 all is well here! Hope you and the fam are doing great! Keep up the amazing work!!!
That's a pretty good length footage, Lou. Amazing 😊
Thanks so much! Lou B
Another great video, Lou 👍
Thanks! Really appreciated. Lou B
I had a pet reticulated python, not a nice snake.
Thanks for the awsome videos.
Yeah, they tend to be a bit bitey. Pretty good set of teeth on them too. Lou B
So many great snakes in this. That cobra though. ❤❤❤
Thanks Todd. I’ve been wanting to see that spitter for quite awhile. Now I’ll probably see them every trip!
A park worker at the Singapore Botanical Gardens told me that there were some resident spitting cobras there, I don't recall which area of the gardens.
Interesting. From what I hear they inhabit most of Singapore.
the spitting cobra was a lifer for you!......here in BKK I got to see the Ruamkatanyu Foundation release a Reticulated Python (a Lifer for me!) that appeared in someones toilet here just NE of Don Meuang.....beautiful snake!
Spitting cobra looks like it has a purple tongue, or is that a lens light distortion.
I’m pretty sure it’s purple. Some rattlesnakes in California have purple tongues too.
The Spitting Cobra interacting with its environment with its tongue leading the way was so cool. Thank you Lou
Yeah, I thought so too. It’s my pleasure sharing the experience. Lou B
I could see that the spitting cobra was getting distracted by the can, I noticed that there some little crabs. So maybe the little crabs got his attention for a little while.
Yeah, that's sure possible. I was really hoping to video it catching something! Maybe next time. Lou B
Retic was the highlight but I bet seeing the cobra in person would have topped it.
Yeah, I love them both. I’ve seen a few retics before, so the spitter stole the show. Good times!!!! Lou B
Thank you so much for this great video !
The pleasure is mine. Thanks for watching. Lou B
Good stuff Lou! Those Oriental whip snakes, look like our rough green snakes on steroids.
Yeah, that they do. I've only ever found one rough green. Hoping to find a few more! Love green colored snakes.
Hope you find more rough green snakes, Lou. I’ve found plenty in my time . . . 40 plus in one week on the side of a creek in east central Texas back in the ‘80’s.
Will R. is def an “expert” in funding smooth greens.
are you not coming to japan anymore?
I haven't done a lot of Japan trips lately. The ones I did, I didn't find much sadly. Lou B
@@loub747 how annoying that is, now that it's very hot around here I think a lot of snakes will appear!!
Great steady shots Lou! What did you use to record the vids ?
Thanks so much. I’ve been using a Sony AX53 for a long long time! Love it for my travel needs.
tom my names jake, im 22 im currently in flight school. i saw you on avl videos. id love to fly in your cessna sometime!
An ideal way to observe a spitting cobra. The snake is not agitated in any way. My brother lives in Singapore, when I visit him I will try to persuade him to exploit this area. I really enjoyed this episode.
Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment. Definitely have a look when you're in town. All the best. Lou B
that would be close enough!
I wanted to get closer! Good times. Lou B
Cobra is beautiful buddy! Love the video 🤣
Thanks my friend. You would have had a blast on this trip.
@@loub747Singapore looks amazing buddy 🙏🏻🐍
was this at pasir ris park?
Yeah, it sure was. Lou B
Capt. Lou...Cobra Cam!
I wish I could have gotten closer!!! Lou B
The cobra looking for beer makes my day! I wonder if beer would affect its spitting accuracy. lol Loved that python! Retic's pattern is one of my most favourite pattern. Great video, Lou! Singapore is never a disappointment.
Yeah, had so much fun on this Singapore trip. I love the retic pattern too!
cool!
Thanks! Lou B
You look like Nicholas Cage
Awesome shots Lou! The spitting cobra tops it for me that’s thing looks crazy cool. Hope all is well my friend!
Thanks so much. Had a blast on this trip! Lou B was
Two lifers! Nice one Lou B!!!
Thanks so much!
U should say here,which was this location in singapore .
I don’t really share locations publicly.
What a beautiful day/night out!
Yeah, so much fun on this trip! Lou B
@@loub747 awesome
That spitter is so cool. Until I saw the other side (and the closer footage) I thought that he had a couple of huge ticks on his side.
It may have. I'll have to look at the video again. I'll take it either way! Lou B
Wow Lou!!
That was a mighty fine snake spottin expedition 😁My fav would have to be that Python.
Fliipid beatifull 😍
cheers and be safe from Neal in OKC.
What's up Neal from OKC. Yeah, had a great day / night! Couldn't ask for more! Lou B
@@loub747 You could've asked for less mosquitoes 🦟🦟🦟🦟🦟🦟
🤨 lol
@@joeblow5037 there’s always that!
Great video and thank you for all your suffering to bring us this footage!
I never saw the Spitting Cobra in my single encounter with one in Nigeria. It was invisible to me even before it spat its venom at me. A Spitting Cobra is Extremely Precise with its aim: it landed the venom right on my eyes. Had I not been wearing my glasses, it would have gotten me fair in my eyes and I would have been blind and in a Lot of pain. Your Cobra was actively hunting and so was mine. I am glad you were not its meal!
Great stuff! Thanks!
Just came here from Airline videos!
Awesome. Thanks for the support! Lou B
@@loub747 Of course man