[ARCHIVED THREAD] - No snake threads for a while. (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 12/17/2009 5:28:56 PM EDT
With all the cold weather no snakes have been out so there haven't been any snake threads. Don't get me wrong though, I am happy you guys aren't killing them. So here are some pics I have not posted before. ETA: Oh yea, by the way please help stop S373. ("The Python Ban") We finally have some real help behind us in the form of The United States Chamber of Commerce, so things are looking up but there is work to be done. Check out this site if you are interested in helping out. http://www.usark.org/ Just sign up for the mailing list and they will keep you posted and give info on what you can do to help. ETA2: send an email to your representatives http://www.rallycongress.com/united-states-association-of-reptile-keepers/     |
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Quoted: Holy crap a diamondback in a tree is rare. Oh wait. What you did there, I see it.http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i43/DonKey153/work%20pics/01-08-08_0946.jpg http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i43/DonKey153/work%20pics/IMG_0736.jpg I like snakes that don't surprise me... |
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Quoted: One good snake, three broken ones and a wierd cat.  The bad ones have to go; dogs and grandkids. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/PanzerOfDoom/possum001.jpg Thats not a snake!! Thats a cat!!! |
| I was chopping firewood last weekend and noticed a juvenile Cottonmouth sunning itself on top of the woodpile. He looked unusually plump. Unluckily for him, I was holding a double-headed axe at the time and chopped of his head. As its body was writhing around, a dead Ribbon Snake came out of his neck stump. Sorry, no pics. |
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Quoted: Believe me snakes feel pain. What you did was the humane thing to do, just like putting any other animal out of it's misery. No need to let it suffer.I killed one the other day. Didn't want to but the nieghbor's cat had been at it. I don't know if snakes feel pain and/or suffer but this one clearly wasn't happy and wasn't going to get better. |
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Quoted: Retic, what do you suggest if you are seeing a dangerous snake around your backyard and you have pets or kids? This is a hard question for me to answer. I know what I would do, but I am able and comfortable doing things that I would not recommend to someone without training. I could/would put the snake in a bag and and bring it to the closest safe area, so as not to move the animal out of it's proper locality. It also depends on what you mean by backyard. For me the back yard is acreage and I leave them alone. I actually bring coral snakes to my property and let them go. I am not saying to do any of this, just pointing out that it is possible to do if you are aware of your surroundings. It would be best if you called animal control to get rid of them. If this is not an option then sadly for the well-being of your children then you may have to kill the animal. I do not blame people that kill them around their houses. It doesn't make sense to me though when people kill them all no matter how far from people they may be. I personally am aware that snakes are out there so I am careful. It see it as situational awareness. If you have your head in the clouds walking around like a sheep or a child too young to know better you just may get bit. Try not to kill harmless snakes though. I can't tell you how many people have killed hognose, and water snakes because they were positive it was venomous. |
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The only snake we took a pic of during our Summer Desert Trip 2008. This one was near Inyo Mine area in the Death Valley NP. What scares me are the ones we didn't see. http://www.rocketcityrockcrawlers.com/pubpics/2008_Summer_Desert_Trip/Al_08_03/07_13_08_12_37_12___IMG_0255_Albin.JPG_s.jpg I was in an obsidian field North of China Lake a few years back, walking along minding my own business. I guess I walked too close to a mesquite bush to suit the rattler in there; he rattled and I jumped about three feet. That was the one day I wasn't carrying a snake reformer on that trip. If there is pending legislation to stop the importation of non-native snakes and other reptiles, then I'm for it. Irresponsible breeders and owners can't or won't control their critters, so there is no need to enable them. If they want to play with snakes, there are plenty of native species. I wonder how many morons out there are trying to breed giant blacksnakes or vipers; it's more likely than not, and it's also irresponsible. |
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Done did it..:) http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2287/2287276086_9bb673519f_o.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3249/2725052518_8fcae9c397_o.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3088/2562812345_3ce34f3731_o.jpg JP Is that first one an Indigo snake? Indigo snakes have to be the coolest looking snake ever. |
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... ... If there is pending legislation to stop the importation of non-native snakes and other reptiles, then I'm for it. Irresponsible breeders and owners can't or won't control their critters, so there is no need to enable them. If they want to play with snakes, there are plenty of native species. I wonder how many morons out there are trying to breed giant blacksnakes or vipers; it's more likely than not, and it's also irresponsible. I wonder how OP feels about this. also, do you have any opinions on how non-native snakes should be treated in the wild? ie, you come across a 8ft python in the everglades. ETA: cool pics! snakes scare the shit out of me though. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: ... ... If there is pending legislation to stop the importation of non-native snakes and other reptiles, then I'm for it. Irresponsible breeders and owners can't or won't control their critters, so there is no need to enable them. If they want to play with snakes, there are plenty of native species. I wonder how many morons out there are trying to breed giant blacksnakes or vipers; it's more likely than not, and it's also irresponsible. I wonder how OP feels about this. also, do you have any opinions on how non-native snakes should be treated in the wild? ie, you come across a 8ft python in the everglades. ETA: cool pics! snakes scare the shit out of me though. Feral snakes are like feral cats. They do not belong, so they need to be removed one way or the other. Problem is the same people that tell you there is a problem do not want you to kill them. AeroE If you understood the science and the impact of what you are saying you would not support the banning of these animals. It is not right to destroy an entire industry just because a small number of people are irresponsible. It has yet to be proven that the problem in the Everglades came from private owners of these animals and they have been in the private market for over 35 years. We have more scientist backing us than you would believe. This ban is being pushed forward by special interest groups that would like to see all animals taken away from private owners. Quit buying into the media BS and wallowing in your own fear. Emotions do not help make logical decisions. Like I said, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is behind us on this. I think they understand the impact that this would have on the country better than some guy that hates snakes. By the way I am one of those morons trying breeding giant snakes and venomous. Why should I be forced to stop something I have done responsibly my whole life? What proof have I personally provided in my years in this hobby and industry that I am irresponsible and should be stopped? Every hobby has it's idiots. Why should my pursuit of happiness be taken away because of a small percentage of people? |
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... ... If there is pending legislation to stop the importation of non-native snakes and other reptiles, then I'm for it. Irresponsible breeders and owners can't or won't control their critters, so there is no need to enable them. If they want to play with snakes, there are plenty of native species. I wonder how many morons out there are trying to breed giant blacksnakes or vipers; it's more likely than not, and it's also irresponsible. I wonder how OP feels about this. also, do you have any opinions on how non-native snakes should be treated in the wild? ie, you come across a 8ft python in the everglades. ETA: cool pics! snakes scare the shit out of me though. Feral snakes are like feral cats. They do not belong, so they need to be removed one way or the other. Problem is the same people that tell you there is a problem do not want you to kill them. AeroE If you understood the science and the impact of what you are saying you would not support the banning of these animals. It is not right to destroy an entire industry just because a small number of people are irresponsible. It has yet to be proven that the problem in the Everglades came from private owners of these animals and they have been in the private market for over 35 years. We have more scientist backing us than you would believe. This ban is being pushed forward by special interest groups that would like to see all animals taken away from private owners. Quit buying into the media BS and wallowing in your own fear. Emotions do not help make logical decisions. Like I said, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is behind us on this. I think they understand the impact that this would have on the country better than some guy that hates snakes. By the way I am one of those morons trying breeding giant snakes and venomous. Why should I be forced to stop something I have done responsibly my whole life? What proof have I personally provided in my years in this hobby and industry that I am irresponsible and should be stopped? Every hobby has it's idiots. Why should my pursuit of happiness be taken away because of a small percentage of people? The business with the escaped snakes in the Everglades is the best example of the reason; it's not like destructive hurricanes are unexpected, hence extraordinary measures are required. When the practitioners can't take the responsibility to self regulate their industry, then that is a legitimate role for society, to impose regulation to prevent the escape of those non-native critters. A broad brush and a heavy hand is sometimes required when the consequences of fuck ups are grave. |
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The only snake we took a pic of during our Summer Desert Trip 2008. This one was near Inyo Mine area in the Death Valley NP. What scares me are the ones we didn't see. http://www.rocketcityrockcrawlers.com/pubpics/2008_Summer_Desert_Trip/Al_08_03/07_13_08_12_37_12___IMG_0255_Albin.JPG_s.jpg I was in an obsidian field North of China Lake a few years back, walking along minding my own business. I guess I walked too close to a mesquite bush to suit the rattler in there; he rattled and I jumped about three feet. That was the one day I wasn't carrying a snake reformer on that trip. If there is pending legislation to stop the importation of non-native snakes and other reptiles, then I'm for it. Irresponsible breeders and owners can't or won't control their critters, so there is no need to enable them. If they want to play with snakes, there are plenty of native species. I wonder how many morons out there are trying to breed giant blacksnakes or vipers; it's more likely than not, and it's also irresponsible. The legislation in question contends that non native reptiles are a threat to native ecosystems, which by and large is completely false. In Florida there is a naturalized breeding population of Burmese and Reticulated pythons, which can ruin the day for a dog, cat, goat, alligator, or small child. Other than that, very few species are capable of having a negative impact. Also, African and Asian pythons can't live where the water freezes, which is damn near all of the US. Domestic house cats are a bigger threat to native wildlife than any reptile species. Don't make assumptions about other people's hobbies, thats what Democrats do. |
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... ... If there is pending legislation to stop the importation of non-native snakes and other reptiles, then I'm for it. Irresponsible breeders and owners can't or won't control their critters, so there is no need to enable them. If they want to play with snakes, there are plenty of native species. I wonder how many morons out there are trying to breed giant blacksnakes or vipers; it's more likely than not, and it's also irresponsible. I wonder how OP feels about this. also, do you have any opinions on how non-native snakes should be treated in the wild? ie, you come across a 8ft python in the everglades. ETA: cool pics! snakes scare the shit out of me though. Feral snakes are like feral cats. They do not belong, so they need to be removed one way or the other. Problem is the same people that tell you there is a problem do not want you to kill them. AeroE If you understood the science and the impact of what you are saying you would not support the banning of these animals. It is not right to destroy an entire industry just because a small number of people are irresponsible. It has yet to be proven that the problem in the Everglades came from private owners of these animals and they have been in the private market for over 35 years. We have more scientist backing us than you would believe. This ban is being pushed forward by special interest groups that would like to see all animals taken away from private owners. Quit buying into the media BS and wallowing in your own fear. Emotions do not help make logical decisions. Like I said, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is behind us on this. I think they understand the impact that this would have on the country better than some guy that hates snakes. By the way I am one of those morons trying breeding giant snakes and venomous. Why should I be forced to stop something I have done responsibly my whole life? What proof have I personally provided in my years in this hobby and industry that I am irresponsible and should be stopped? Every hobby has it's idiots. Why should my pursuit of happiness be taken away because of a small percentage of people? The business with the escaped snakes in the Everglades is the best example of the reason; it's not like destructive hurricanes are unexpected, hence extraordinary measures are required. When the practitioners can't take the responsibility to self regulate their industry, then that is a legitimate role for society, to impose regulation to prevent the escape of those non-native critters. A broad brush and a heavy hand is sometimes required when the consequences of fuck ups are grave. Since I assume you are an advocate of the 2nd amendmend. Lets apply this to guns. You statement not mine: The business with guns being used in crime is the best example of the reason; it's not like destructive hurricanes are unexpected, hence extraordinary measures are required. When the practitioners can't take the responsibility to self regulate their industry, then that is a legitimate role for society, to impose regulation to prevent the usage of evil guns. A broad brush and a heavy hand is sometimes required when the consequences of fuck ups are grave. I bet you can now see where the folks that like snakes are coming from. |
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... ... If there is pending legislation to stop the importation of non-native snakes and other reptiles, then I'm for it. Irresponsible breeders and owners can't or won't control their critters, so there is no need to enable them. If they want to play with snakes, there are plenty of native species. I wonder how many morons out there are trying to breed giant blacksnakes or vipers; it's more likely than not, and it's also irresponsible. I wonder how OP feels about this. also, do you have any opinions on how non-native snakes should be treated in the wild? ie, you come across a 8ft python in the everglades. ETA: cool pics! snakes scare the shit out of me though. Feral snakes are like feral cats. They do not belong, so they need to be removed one way or the other. Problem is the same people that tell you there is a problem do not want you to kill them. AeroE If you understood the science and the impact of what you are saying you would not support the banning of these animals. It is not right to destroy an entire industry just because a small number of people are irresponsible. It has yet to be proven that the problem in the Everglades came from private owners of these animals and they have been in the private market for over 35 years. We have more scientist backing us than you would believe. This ban is being pushed forward by special interest groups that would like to see all animals taken away from private owners. Quit buying into the media BS and wallowing in your own fear. Emotions do not help make logical decisions. Like I said, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is behind us on this. I think they understand the impact that this would have on the country better than some guy that hates snakes. By the way I am one of those morons trying breeding giant snakes and venomous. Why should I be forced to stop something I have done responsibly my whole life? What proof have I personally provided in my years in this hobby and industry that I am irresponsible and should be stopped? Every hobby has it's idiots. Why should my pursuit of happiness be taken away because of a small percentage of people? The business with the escaped snakes in the Everglades is the best example of the reason; it's not like destructive hurricanes are unexpected, hence extraordinary measures are required. When the practitioners can't take the responsibility to self regulate their industry, then that is a legitimate role for society, to impose regulation to prevent the escape of those non-native critters. A broad brush and a heavy hand is sometimes required when the consequences of fuck ups are grave. Since I assume you are an advocate of the 2nd amendmend. Lets apply this to guns. You statement not mine: The business with guns being used in crime is the best example of the reason; it's not like destructive hurricanes are unexpected, hence extraordinary measures are required. When the practitioners can't take the responsibility to self regulate their industry, then that is a legitimate role for society, to impose regulation to prevent the usage of evil guns. A broad brush and a heavy hand is sometimes required when the consequences of fuck ups are grave. I bet you can now see where the folks that like snakes are coming from. It's not the same because I kill errant snakes. A hurricane or tornado in my neck of the woods won't spill non-native guns into the wild, and if one did, the consequences to the native flora and fauna are far different on a fundamental level. A Second Amendment argument is not relevant. |
| Heh. I'm getting back in the herp business, my kid brother is one of FREEFALLE7's fellow RI's and is about to PCS to Germany, so he's giving me his ball python, my teenage daughter is ecstatic :-) (although, knowing him, when he asked if I wanted a snake, I had to ask "what kind", he HAS been known to deliver varieties of rattlesnakes to FREE's cohorts at the reptile center, one of his FB updates was that he had caught at least one of every variety of poisonous snake indigenous to Florida, the most recent being a water moccasin that was in a housing area at Eglin AFB). |
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If I saw a snake that I knew was dangerous in the wild... DEAD SNAKE. If I see a Gaboon or Cobra in North Mississippi in the wild... DEAD SNAKE. I understand all your reasoning, but come on man! You allow one of those things to get away, it's dead anyway. I just hope you take measures that your pets do not have a chance to leave the protection of home. Snakes in my area are plentiful. Not worried about extinction.  |
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... ... If there is pending legislation to stop the importation of non-native snakes and other reptiles, then I'm for it. Irresponsible breeders and owners can't or won't control their critters, so there is no need to enable them. If they want to play with snakes, there are plenty of native species. I wonder how many morons out there are trying to breed giant blacksnakes or vipers; it's more likely than not, and it's also irresponsible. I wonder how OP feels about this. also, do you have any opinions on how non-native snakes should be treated in the wild? ie, you come across a 8ft python in the everglades. ETA: cool pics! snakes scare the shit out of me though. Feral snakes are like feral cats. They do not belong, so they need to be removed one way or the other. Problem is the same people that tell you there is a problem do not want you to kill them. AeroE If you understood the science and the impact of what you are saying you would not support the banning of these animals. It is not right to destroy an entire industry just because a small number of people are irresponsible. It has yet to be proven that the problem in the Everglades came from private owners of these animals and they have been in the private market for over 35 years. We have more scientist backing us than you would believe. This ban is being pushed forward by special interest groups that would like to see all animals taken away from private owners. Quit buying into the media BS and wallowing in your own fear. Emotions do not help make logical decisions. Like I said, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is behind us on this. I think they understand the impact that this would have on the country better than some guy that hates snakes. By the way I am one of those morons trying breeding giant snakes and venomous. Why should I be forced to stop something I have done responsibly my whole life? What proof have I personally provided in my years in this hobby and industry that I am irresponsible and should be stopped? Every hobby has it's idiots. Why should my pursuit of happiness be taken away because of a small percentage of people? The business with the escaped snakes in the Everglades is the best example of the reason; it's not like destructive hurricanes are unexpected, hence extraordinary measures are required. When the practitioners can't take the responsibility to self regulate their industry, then that is a legitimate role for society, to impose regulation to prevent the escape of those non-native critters. A broad brush and a heavy hand is sometimes required when the consequences of fuck ups are grave. Since I assume you are an advocate of the 2nd amendmend. Lets apply this to guns. You statement not mine: The business with guns being used in crime is the best example of the reason; it's not like destructive hurricanes are unexpected, hence extraordinary measures are required. When the practitioners can't take the responsibility to self regulate their industry, then that is a legitimate role for society, to impose regulation to prevent the usage of evil guns. A broad brush and a heavy hand is sometimes required when the consequences of fuck ups are grave. I bet you can now see where the folks that like snakes are coming from. It's not the same because I kill errant snakes. A hurricane or tornado in my neck of the woods won't spill non-native guns into the wild, and if one did, the consequences to the native flora and fauna are far different on a fundamental level. A Second Amendment argument is not relevant. Oh it's relevant wether you wish to see it or not. Try making that arguement to a anti-gun nut, they'll make the SAME arguement that you are making but about guns. Don't get me wrong, I don't keep non-native reptiles (nor natives ones). But your view is very myopic. What you call an errant snake, an anti would call a "illegal gun", "assault weapon", et al. An anti would also argue, which is more important, a small impact on flora and fauna or people being capped with a stolen weapon? Your arguement is irrelevant, my dad can beat up your dad, blaa blaa blaa. Personally, if I found a non-native of any spps. in S. FL, it would be toast such as this cichlid I caught in the everglades: 
I caught many non-native spps. while down there and they all perished either by alligator or by dehydration laying on the bank. Fortunately, FL is special place in the US an has yearly temp ranges that can support such tropical spps. and most die anywhere north of Tampa. Most can't live anywhere north of Miami/Dade. So most of the snakes in question will not ever be able to expand to your back yard and munch on your cat fluffy (also a non-native) which is probably the most detrimental feral in this country; but you don't see hords of folks screaming for cat bans. Cats reak havock on native bird and animal populations but no one wants to talk about that. 
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Quoted: Feral snakes should be killed on sight, same as any other invasive. For the time being, the pythons in the ENP are protected as is everything in the ENP and they are being studied right now. Yup. Pythons and boas near me die instantly if I see em. I also leave out non native fish for the birds. I actually cannot recall the last time I saw a bluebill or shell cracker in the water by me. its pretty much all cichlids now. The peackock bass aren't doing their job. Evidently their is a Green Mamba on the loose as well. |
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Retic, what do you suggest if you are seeing a dangerous snake around your backyard and you have pets or kids? throw them in a pillowcase and let them go in the most rural place in your area You can't be serious ? You think an untrained person should attempt to capture a vemounous snake and move it ? Seems pretty unsafe to me, I recommend killing it. I understand some of you like snakes, and thats fine for you but if its in my yard around my kid or dog, unfornunately its a problem I have to deal with. |
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I'll just leave this rubber boa here. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Windustsearch/IMG_0551.jpg 
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These would be banned if the animal rights groups that are pushing this crap get their way. These are not Giants or venomous. So these aren't the animals you think you are getting rid of. They have not even come after venomous yet. I have said it before but the guy that started all this, Bill Nelson, does not care about the everglades. It is an opportunity to get 13 million dollars in his hands. This crap is all politics and animal rights BS not science.    If the bill was not amended it would ban these also.     What do you think will happen to these animals if they are banned? If they ban them they lose their value over night. A $100,000 animal could not be sold for $1 anymore, and if they can't be sold how do I feed the thousands of animals that breeders like me have? What about the guys that I am friends with that have been doing this since they got out of the military after Vietnam? One of the guys I know was breeding them before that. |
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If you breed and keep foreign vipers (gaboons, cobras, etc) for making antivenom then ok. If you bring them into the us because you think they are cool, or you just need to have one then I think you r a moron.
I remember 3+ years ago a couple cobras got loose at a apartment complex in dallas, they caught one......... |