02 December 2012

When A Snake Comes A Calling


Few months ago, something caught the attention of the cats. Captain Jack Sparow HAWK simply could not tear his one eye from this interesting object.

EJ decided to investigate, and rushed to grab the camera to quickly record the moment.

Ramphotyphlops braminus is a harmless blind snake species found mostly in Africa and Asia. Completely fossorial, they are often mistaken for earthworms, except that they are not segmented.

It is  known as Brahminy blind snake, flowerpot snake, common blind snake, island blind snake, and Hawaiian blind snake.

Adults are small and thin, averaging between 6.35-16.5 cm (2½ to 6½ inches) in length. The head and tail-tip look much the same, with no narrowing of the neck. The rudimentary eyes appear only as a pair of small dots under the head scales. The tip of the tail ends with a tiny pointed spur. The head scales are small and resemble those on the body. The colouration of the adults varies from shiny silver gray to charcoal gray or purple. [Source: Wikipedia]

This recent one was a second encounter the cats had with a snake and it reminded EJ of the first a few years ago.

The first encounter.

EJ was sleepy. It was almost midnight. As usual, EJ would make one last check on the cats before going to bed. 

The cats were crowding round of what EJ saw was a big fat worm. The meowyard light was not bright then.  EJ took the broom getting ready to sweep it out. That almost foot-long "worm" reared its head. 
Woooh! An adrenaline rush and EJ's eyes opened wide, completely woke up in an instant. 

You should have seen EJ's reaction, the kungfu stance holding the broomstick balancing on one leg with the other leg kicking and pushing seven cats away (there were seven then), and with one clean swipe (a swing that could beat Tiger Woods flat) with such accuracy (a hole in one?) that EJ did not even see the snake flying through the slit (tapering where the widest was less than half inch) under the back metal door and out to the drain.

The snakes encountered on both occasions were of different species.

21 comments:

Kay L. Davies said...

Wow, amazing accuracy with that broom, EJ. I think I'd have screamed and run away. Well, not if the snake was a danger to the cats. But I don't know what I'd have done, really.
Scary story.
The little blind snake would not have required the broom and the kung fu stance — a lot less drama.
K

Linens and Royals said...

I think EJ has very good reflexes.
Never heard of the interesting blind snake before.

Hannah and Lucy said...

You are much braver than our Mum - she'd have left it to us to see off the snake!
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

magiceye said...

That is so adventurous!

Woof woof
from Bozo
Pets forever

Brian's Home Blog said...

I think that sounds like fun, but I know humans are not amused!

Annie Bear said...

EJ's snake-fighting prowness is impressive! Captain Jack sure is interested in the blind snake. The other one, the one EJ protected all the kitties from, sounds scarier.

The Island Cats said...

That's a little snake. We would like to play with it too.

Marg said...

That is not fun dealing with snakes. Sounds like you got rid of that second one with great ease. Gives me the creeps. I do not like snakes.Sounds like the first one was fairly harmless.
Take care.

Old Kitty said...

LOL!! Love EJ's amazing ninja warrior woman reaction with broom! Yay!

Awww Captain Jack Sparrow Hawk! That little snake is so itty bitty cute! Take care
x

Seville at Nerissa's Life said...

We have snakes here, too, but not at all like those ones. My dad likes to catch 'em. My sister Connie does, too. The peep always rescues 'em and puts 'em back in the garden where she says they belong. purrs

Sylvia K said...

I've never seen a snake and think my mom plans to keep it that way!!! You guys are SO brave!!!

Sam Schnauzer

meowmeowmans said...

Yikes! That would scare our humans! We love the description of how EJ did the kungfu stance with that broomstick. :)

Noir the Texas Tabby said...

Maybe Tiger can get some mojo back after some lessons from EJ--! And it is good to know there are some good hunters in your house-- :)

Noir

Katnip Lounge said...

That's a new one for us! The snake proly wouldn't have lasted long here.

Too bad you guys didn't get the first incident on film, heh heh!

michico*Adan*Lego-小芥*阿丹*樂高 said...

Wowwww!!!
We haven't seen one here!!!! Looks fun to play with!!

Sharon Wagner said...

So tiny!

Arti said...

Scary but thankfully they are so small!! The second story is narrated so well, I loved reading it! Have a lovely week :)

Kwee Cats and Art said...

Oh! OMC! Wow. We've had snakes under the AC thing in the back, outside. But, OMC, not in the house. Wow. We think ALL you guys are brave. And the snakes, and evfurryone, will be happier with them outside.
Hugs to you all :-)

Just Mags said...

Oh, my goodness! That is a very interesting discovery. You did so well relating the actions of EJ smacking that snake out as we read it was more like watching it as it happened. Good job you all are doing finding those critters. Hugs and nose kisses

Kat said...

Wow! You are so daring. Don't know what I'd have done!

Catherine said...

Brave kitty! Eeeek!
xo Catherine