I wasn't sure where to post this question, but here goes. The black krait (Bungarus candidus) I have been talking about on other threads appears to have false red 'eye' markings on its (whitish) lower jaw. I first took these for injuries caused when it ate a wolf snake recently, but no, these markings are definitely there (see photo if I am able to attach it). Interestingly, the kraitactually turned its head upside down as it struck the wolf snake, and did the same as it repositioned its self on top the wolfsnake's head. Notice also that the wolf snake has biten the krait on the head after it was seized. Pure speculation this, but could the krait be defending the top of it own head . That's two questions! So are there other examples of this patterning in the snake world? Or am i just imagining this all?
Oh dear. Please can someone suggest to me how i can send a lo res photo of this to the forum? Others appear to have managed it! many thanks!

hi ron,

olease check here for how to upload and attach a picture...

http://www.venomland.net/photography-f19/help-new-here-t1040.htm


cheers
Mario

I have sent two photos of the krait, showing its 'eyes' on the underside of the lower jaw. (Thanks, Mario, for telling me how to submit photos!) Comments appreciated!

Hi

Cool picture, for me it sounds (and looks) possible to use it as a protection if a predator (or prey) would aim on the Kraits eyes.

And it looks like a pattern (symetric), that's not an injury or something

Greetings

Ron This is fantastic ! I am working with Elapsoidea sundevalli longicauda - They also have these eyes on the lower jaw and I also thought it was fake eyes for some reason but had not come to any conclusion for their existence ? VERY interesting! I will photograph this eyes in the morning , I am sure this will be a discovery that will become a well known interesting fact for many snakes in years to come. Excellent observation.

Cheers
Andrew

Hey Andrew, I look forward to seeing your photos of the false 'eyes. I noted also that these markings are not too obvious on the resting snake, but when it is feeding and flips over, the markings , while presumably not stretching as they are on the scales of the lower jaw, do become much more obvious. I also wondered about the presence of what look like 'eyebrows' above the false eyes )look again at the pictures) . More of a mammalian characteristic than a serpentine one, no? So what could it be mimicking?? Strange also, considering these snakes tend to feed at night, (although the one I have fed with the lights on).

The spots that are shown are present to some extent in many Australian elapids, not pigmented but from the fangs repeatedly penetrating through the bottom jaw partially.

Cheers,
Scott

Hi! I can only see 1 small pic and its not possible to enlarge, i get directed to a different website..? Ist it possible its the lymphnodes you see? sorry if im way out here but I cant see much on the pic.
reg
Mats