African Burrowing Python - Sierra Leone

Calabaria reinhardtii - The adult African burrowing python, also known as the Calabar python, grows no longer than 1 meter. The tail is similar to the head in shape and color. This is used as a decoy in distracting animals posing a danger. When threatened, the python will lower its head, raise its tail, slowly wag the tail back and forth to draw the source of danger away from the snake’s head. If this fails, the python will roll itself into a ball with the head tucked safely in the middle.

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Sierra Leone and Liberia were founded as safe havens for freed slaves; Sierra Leone was a British venture, Liberia an American venture. During and after the Revolutionary War, Britain evacuated slaves falling into their hands to Canada or the Caribbean. The 1787 attempt at settling these freed slaves into the “Province of Freedom” was unsuccessful; a failure resulting from fierce attacks from local tribesman. In 1792, another attempt was made with better results; the settlement was named Freetown.

Green Anaconda - Suriname

The Treaty of Breda ended the Second Anglo-Dutch war. Under the terms of the treaty, the Netherlands recognized British control of the New Amsterdam area, a region currently consisting parts of Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York. The Dutch were awarded the rights to settle in Dutch Guinea; Suriname.

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Eunectes murinus - The green anaconda is the world’s largest snake. Individuals measuring 10 to 12 meters and weighing up to 250 kilos have been recorded. Anacondas prefer shallow and slow moving waters where most of their feeding takes place. The anaconda may either remain motionless in the vegetation or lurk partially submerged in the water until an unsuspecting animal comes along. The anaconda will grab and hold the victim with its sharp teeth until it can wrap itself around the body and render it unconscious by constriction.