The two Fierce Snakes I saw were still in their
winter colours. These snakes change colour with
the seasons. They are dark brown in the colder
months to help absorb warmth from the sun, and
may be found above ground basking at this time of
year. Then in the summer they turn a light shade of
yellow to reflect heat and keep cool. When it’s hot
they pretty much stay solely underground and are
rarely seen. Both the snakes I encountered were
very large. The second had no burrow to flee to, so
it stood and held its ground. It lunged toward me
and hissed while I was taking photos, so I was
careful only to take a few, in order not to
stress it out. After that I just observed it;
eventually it went down a hole about 10
metres off the road.
I packed up my camera gear and went back
to Coober Pedy to get a feed and more fuel.
The final stages of my trip had proved
successful, but I was on borrowed time. I
had two days to race home and get back to
work.
Ringed Brown Snake; the smallest
species of brown snake, and the only one
not regarded as dangerous.
Western Brown Snake; a welcome find
in an almost unbearable habitat.
Marbled Velvet Gecko found near Alice
Springs.
The second Fierce Snake had no burrow
to flee to, It lunged toward me and hissed
while I was taking photos.