This has got to be a world record....

[Bruce Williams]

Firstly apologies that this posting is not exactly about British wildlife - however it is really about me and I'm British.....so does that count?

Anyway.......From the age of 10 to 14 I lived in Malta (Dad was in the army). When I wasn't swimming or roller skating I was hunting for wildlife - lizards, skinks, geckos, snakes, scorpions, mantids, grasshoppers, caterpillars etc etc.....in fact anything that crawled on the ground or hid under rocks.

On my last day at St Andrews primary school (age 11) with the help of three school friends I turned over a very large sandstone block. Curled up under the block was a large (about 30 inches long) black and white snake - well actually more white with black markings. I remember in particular being struck by it's slit eyes - we all just stood and stared at it. We left the stone upturned for fear of squashing the snake if we rolled it back. I have never forgotten that snake and have always considered that moment as the trigger for my lifelong interest in wildlife.

Over the years I have often thought about that snake and wondered what species it was, but for some strange reason never thought to try and find out......until last Friday that is. On Friday morning I received a copy of the Collins Field Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians of Britain & Europe in the post. On flicking through the many illustrations I was suddenly reminded of my black and white snake. I found it almost immediately. It was a Cat Snake - Telescopus fallax. See: Telescopus falax - European Cat Snake

So I saw the snake in July 1957 and finally identified it in February 2008 - a period of 50 years and 8 months. That's gotta be some type of record .

Bruce

[RobSutton]

Originally Posted by Bruce Williams

............... I have never forgotten that snake and have always considered that moment as the trigger for my lifelong interest in wildlife.

..........

So I saw the snake in July 1957 and finally identified it in February 2008 - a period of 50 years and 8 months. That's gotta be some type of record .

Bruce

Nice story Bruce, It's funny what triggers this interest that we all seem to share. With me I suspect it was the moment (aged four or five) when I came into the family kitchen crying my eyes out because I had "broken" an ant by examining it too closely.

[Kayleigh]

Well is is deadly or not

[Bruce Williams]

Rob - Had a good chuckle at your broken ant memory Thanks.

Kayleigh - Well legend has it that St Paul magically removed the venom from all poisonous snakes when he was shipwrecked there in biblical times. So I guess the answer is no it's not deadly - but then I wouldn't want to put my finger in it's mouth either .

Bruce

[NickCantle]

A lovely story Bruce. I'm a big fan of Malta, and I've got Maltese relatives. My Stepdad is half Maltese and they try and get over when they can to see the family.

Pastizzi are amazing

Nick

[Dan Salter]

Love that story Bruce!....excellent stuff.

[Bruce Williams]

Nick.......and what about Maltese bread!!!! FANTASTIC!!!!!

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Dan...comment much appreciated .

Bruce

[Pete Collins]

Great story Bruce!

I visited Malta around 1970 when I was about 13. I thought it must be a great place to live, as Mars bars were much cheaper than in Britain!

[NickCantle]

Originally Posted by Bruce Williams

Nick.......and what about Maltese bread!!!! FANTASTIC!!!!!

Cor yeah! Maltese Bruschetta with all of the trimmings with a glass of Kinnie I miss Kinnie from the bottle!