20 Million YouTube Views

My YouTube video “Python vs Alligator” has reached 20 million views (with 10 million views in the last three months alone...) on Feb. 21. 2012 and my wildlife show called “Dangerous Invaders” has been seen by over 12 million people, with so many positive feedback from around the globe. I extend my thanks and gratitude to the many wildlife experts, in particular Bob Freer, Joe Wasilewski and Albert Killian, who contributed their knowledge, experience and wisdom on countless occasions. My independent film work would have never reached such an international impact without their constant support. A special thanks goes to wildlife enthusiast Mario Aldecoa for accompanying me on many film trips into the wild. Last but not least, big thanks to my fans and subscribers. Please stay tune, cuz more cool wildlife vids will be comin’ down on all of you this year.

Armadillos 01

The Nine-Banded Armadillo, (Dasypus novemcinctus), is found in the United States, primarily in the south central states (mainly in Texas), but with a range that extends as far east as South Carolina, Florida and as far north as Nebraska. They have been consistently expanding their range in North America over the last century due to a lack of natural predators such as wolves and mountain lions, and have been found as far north as southern Illinois. 

Also, armadillos species are primarily found in South and Central America, particularly in Paraguay and surrounding areas. Many Armadillo species are endangered today. Some species groups, such as the nine-banded armadillo (aka long-nosed armadillo), are widely distributed throughout North and South America, whereas others, such as the fairy armadillos, are concentrated in smaller ranges in South America only. 

The nine-banded armadillo is a solitary and mainly nocturnal animal, which can be found during day time occasionally. It can be found in many different habitats, from dry scrubs to grassland and throughout the rain forests. Armadillos are insectivorous animals, feeding mainly on smaller invertebrates. They forage for meals by thrusting their snouts into loose soil and leaf litter and frantically digging in erratic patterns, stopping occasionally to dig up worms, grubs, beetles termites and ants which will be detected by their sensitive noses. They simply lap up the insects with their sticky tongues. Armadillos have been known to supplement their diets with small amphibians and reptiles, fungi and even carrion.

Black Mamba hunting Rats 01

Black Mambas hunts by moving fast with their heads high above the ground, on the constant lookout for potential prey as well as predators. Once prey is detected, the mamba ‘freezes’ to avoid early detection and continues with a slow but careful approch. When in reach, the snake hurling itself forward, issuing several quick but deadly bites, swiftly killing its prey. If the prey attempts to escape, the black mamba will follow up its initial bite with a series of strikes. Mambas will release larger prey after biting it to avoid being injured, but smaller prey, such as birds and rodents, are held until the prey has died. 

Mambas sometimes holds off a direct attack on a single prey animal but follows it to its burrow. This technique proves quite successful, due to the fact that the black mamba will take full advantage of the situation and feed not just on a single rat or mouse but kill and devour the entire rodent population of the burrow in a single visit. 

Black mambas feed mostly on smaller warm blooded mammals, such as rats, mice, hyraxes and even bushbabies. These snakes are agile enough to ambush and catch birds and bats out of the air and do so frequently in trees or near water holes. Mambas do feed occasionally on other reptiles, such as lizards and venomous snakes, including puff adders and cobras. After ingestion, powerful acids digest the prey, sometimes within eight to 12 hours depending on its surrounding temperature.

Black Mamba Attacks Dead Lion

Africa’s most feared snake, the elusive Black Mamba, holds the record for being the world’s longest venomous snake, averaging around 10 feet in length, and sometimes growing to lengths of 15 feet. It is as well the fastest snake in the world, capable of moving at 10 - 12 mph (16–20 km/h). The Black Mamba is not named for the color of its body, which is usually a shade of grey. But for the highly pigmented interior of its mouth, which it shows at a threat display. 

Many people fear that the black mamba will actually chase and attack humans unprovoked, and there are evidences to support such concerns. Regardless, attacks on humans are surprisingly rare, more people die in Africa due to bites from cobras and other venomous snakes such as the puff adder. Black Mambas feed meanly on small mammal, reptiles and birds but it has been observed, that snakes sometimes prey on animals that are to large to devour. In this video I filmed how a hungry black mamba can across a dead lion. Without any hesitation, the mamba attacked the lifeless body of the lion, striking twice before trying to swallow the enormous carcass. 

Black Mambas are territorial snakes which will normally retreat from danger. However, many mambas tend to become highly aggressive if they feel threatened, especially if the threat is standing between the snake and its lair. When in its aggressive mode, the black mamba will rear its head as high as possible, even sometimes being able to look directly into the eyes of an averaged size human depending on the snake’s size. The reptile will arch its back and advance rapidly while balanced on the rear third of its body, jaw open to reveal the inky black inside of its mouth, while hissing aggressively. Its bite delivers about 100 mg of neurotoxic venom but only 10 to 15 mg is needed to kill and human adult.