PHOTO POST: Walkabout in PNG

[toxinologist]

Here are a few pics from my latest fieldtrip through the Gulf, Southern Highlands and Western Provinces of PNG. Enjoy!

Waiting for the weekly plane at Wipim (Western Province)

Papuan death adder (Acanthophis laevis) hiding in leaf litter beside a bush track near Kuru village (Western Province)

This death adder (Acanthophis laevis) was caught in a drainage ditch in the grounds of a village school at Waro village (Southern Highlands Province)

And this cheeky little death adder (Acanthophis laevis) was caught in a well at Wipim - the lady who was standing in the bottom of the well at the time was NOT amused!

These next photographs are of a rare Papuan blacksnake (Pseudechis papuanus) that was caught near Iamega village in Western Province... to say it put a smile on my face would be an understatement :!:

One of these days I'll learn that feet are for walking, backsides are for sitting ...

September in Kikori (Gulf Province) tends to be a little bit damp...

But at the end of a long day, there is nothing better than a good feed of roast bandicoot ... (tastes exactly like turkey!)

Looking at this very dark-coloured Papuan taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus canni) it isn't hard to see why people mistake them for blacksnakes :!: :shock:

Infact compared to this very light coloured specimen with its fantastic red sports-stripe, some people would think they were looking at two completely different snakes ...

This little tree frog (Litoria spp) wanted to share my dinner one night...

Last one for now ... a 4 metre amethystine python (Morelia amethistina) near the Gobe Oilfield just inside the border of Southern Highlands Province.

Cheers all!

David

 

[ad]

thanks for sharing the pics toxinologist,
boy that scrubbys head looks cool - eyes milky.
Is that the tip of the tail of the little adder - bright yellow.

 

[africancichlidau]

NICE! But they're exotics

 

[toxinologist]

Yeah Ad that is the adder's tail tip ...

... and yes they are exotic afcicau ... but they are MY exotics

 

[africancichlidau]

LOL

 

[Samma3l]

Infact compared to this very light coloured specimen with its fantastic red sports-stripe, some people would think they were looking at two completely different snakes ...

Cheers all!

David

that is an amazing looking snake

 

[Cerion]

RE: Re: PHOTO POST: Walkabout in PNG

Fantastic Images. Thankyou for sharing herps in your part of the world

 

[Tommo]

RE: Re: PHOTO POST: Walkabout in PNG

hello david

amazing pics, im really jelous

where in australia are you now

 

[Jonny]

RE: Re: PHOTO POST: Walkabout in PNG

Welcome Back David

Nothing like a short walk through PNG :wink:

 

[toxinologist]

RE: Re: PHOTO POST: Walkabout in PNG

G'day Tommo,

I'm in Melbourne until tomorrow and am then heading up to Newcastle for the Xmas break. I head back to PNG at the beginning of February.

Cheers

 

[hugsta]

RE: Re: PHOTO POST: Walkabout in PNG

Thanks for the picks David.......and making us jealous. :lol:

 

[africancichlidau]

RE: Re: PHOTO POST: Walkabout in PNG

Yeah , underline the jealous bit

 

[Ricko]

RE: Re: PHOTO POST: Walkabout in PNG

that is one huge scrubby, love the plates on there head. was the end of its tail missing?

 

[dobermanmick]

RE: Re: PHOTO POST: Walkabout in PNG

Thanks mate !

 

[kevyn]

I am in awe! Amazing shots of so truely amazing animals. The first shot of the Death Adder, the Taipan and the Amethystine really blow me away. Unreal animals. I want to go there even mroe now. How was it? I've heard that white people aren't always the most welcome there.