July 2, 2004
"Snake Phobia"
by Anna White

It was heading for high noon on the first day of my Madagascar adventure in the Ankarafantsika National Park. I was busy photographing a young female zebu when I heard a word that triggered my worst phobia, but at the same time represented one of my major goals for this trip. Before I know it Luke had whisked me away from my photography and towards the snake that had been mentioned only moments earlier. If it hadn't been for his vice like grip on my wrist, then I together with my pounding head, lurching stomach and streaming tears of fear would have left little more than a dust trail behind.

Having initially feared something relatively small, I had no choice but to stand my ground when faced with the monster 1.5 metre Giant Hog Nosed Snake (Leioheterodon madagascariensis) only a few feet away, the largest of the three species of Hog Nosed Snake on the island. Despite his reputation for aggressiveness the black and yellow marked reptile seemed totally unbothered by his audience, including one petrified Irish woman, and slithered onwards across the scorching rocks to his destination.

Surprisingly, having kept myself together, I was not only able to appreciate the stunning beauty of this creature, but also to wallow in my own sense of achievement and the grand sympathy, support and congratulations of my fellow team members.

Whether or not this first encounter with my dreaded beasties will help towards overcoming my phobia remains to be seen, however suffice it to say that all in camp, including myself, are relieved and delighted not to have experienced one of my dreaded nightmares last night!