Thanks for your response.
To update: The snake continued to move for 12 hours ! It was obvious to me that it was not erratic muscle spasms caused by random impulses but rather deliberate reaction to stimulus.
I have sought insight into this in many places.
I have found some spiritual insight but no physical scientific information.
At one point on examination the heart had ceased to beat but when I made physical contact it began to beat again. Remember that the heart was in a few inch section detatched from the body and head. The main body then slithered away from me and hid under a towel.This was not something I could find any physical basis for.
This experience has led me to accept spiritual explainations and I then proceeded to give the snake an appropriate 'burial'.
I chose to consume the flesh in an effort to assume the energies of the snake and the medicines it posessed.
This was obviously no average snake.
This was my way of respecting the snake and closing the circle. I have also kept the skin and will make something of it which will stay with me and serve as a reminder of this experience.
I have a newfound respect for snakes to say the least.

And yes...in future I will definately poke around with a stick before I whip. I will no longer assume the noise will frighten any creatures away and do not want another creature to meet the same fate as the snake.
Thanks again.