dasypeltis scabra Traditional Cache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
THIS IS THE SECOND CACHE IN A SERIES OF 6 CACHES, ALL CONTAINING CLUES TO FIND THE MYSTERY CACHE, PINNACLE POINT.
Also known as Common Egg Eater.
Identification
Can be identified by its rhombic (diamond shaped) markings, V-shaped markings on the neck, a black tongue, a black mouth and its strictly nocturnal lifestyle. This snake has an average length of 0.75 m but may reach just under 1.2 meters in length.
Distribution and habitat
This Egg-eater species is distributed throughout Southern Africa and is found in any habitat except desert and forest areas.
Food
Feeds exclusively on birds eggs which are crushed by bony vertebral projections in the neck area.
Predators, parasites and disease
This snake species is fed on by other snakes and birds of prey (including secretary birds and snake eagles).
Reproduction
Oviparous (lays eggs), lays between 6 and 25 eggs in summer and has been to produce more than one clutch in captivity.
Longevity
The average lifespan of this snake is unknown.
Medical importance
Non-venomous and not dangerous to man. Of interest is the way it mimics the night adder, Causus Rhombeatus. Almost the same markings, strikes repeatedly (even though it can't bite), and creating a hissing sound by rubbing it's scales against each other while making a circling agtion. REMEMBER CLUE - B. Hide cache well.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre ynetr obhyqre, va n ubyr, uvqqra ol ebpxf.