1998 Photo Contest, Nature, 2nd prize
Photographer

Gilles Nicolet

Saola for National Geographic

01 January, 1997

The snake held here by one of few hunters versed in capturing pythons, is only 3.5m long (the African rock python can grow up to 6 meters). Its lower jaw is split, probably as a result of a fight. The vast Adamaoua plateau is home to a great variety of animal species. Python hunters crawl into the snakes' lairs, grab them with their bare hands and pull them out by their heads. Pythons don't usually get aggressive until they are brought out into the light.

About the photographer

Gilles Nicolet

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