OMG, you scared me!
A Painted Bronzeback is startled
“Why would you sneak up on me like that? Oh you weren’t? I was so focused on grabbing that lizard for lunch, I probably didn’t notice you. What lizard? Well, it’s gone now, so maybe I should head towards a pond and look for a juicy frog. Why the rush? Well because I have to get all my eating done during the day. The night is scary! I usually find a nice low branch and hide up there in the night to keep safe. We may look threatening, but we are quite a nervous species. Slither away fast, ask questions later - Is the motto of my species!”
Fun Facts
“I hate dense forests, too dark and too many scary things in there. Me and my kind, we like the edge of the forests, cultivated areas, gardens and parks. Lots of light and with visibility of any predators long before they get close. But if they somehow do get close, I do this cool thing to scare them off. I take a deep breath and inflate my body to show the bluish turquoise skin underneath. They see that and think I am venomous. I’m not by the way, but don’t tell the predators that.”
Story of the Photo
Udawalawe is so famous for its elephant sightings, that the other inhabitants of the forest are often forgotten. This Painted Bronzeback is among the amazing wildlife found there and Dilum got this shot of the harmless snake quite close to the Mahoora Tented Safari Camp in Udawalawe.
