Of scorpions, snakes and Schleiereulchen

While watching a beautiful snake from a safe, elevated distance we are in turn being watched by a white bird of prey: the common barn owl (Tyto alba), also inhabiting European realms.
Later I will contact the African Snakebite Institute on identification of this snake and it turns out to be a Rinkhals (Hemachatus haemachatus). Mostly it comes plain blackish but in the region of KwaZulu-Natal it indeed comes fully banded with thick orange stripes. They can spit venom directly into your eyes, give birth to live young and fake death in the same way you would do it. Awesomeness to the max!
Check this out: https://www.africansnakebiteinstitute.com/snake… and this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RinkhalsRead more