Search found 41 matches
- June 18th, 2015, 8:07 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Not the only one out looking for 'snakes'
- Replies: 33
- Views: 10995
Re: Not the only one out looking for 'snakes'
I've accidentally stumbled into a gay cruising area before too. Along the entrance to the trail there were condoms everywhere, then some strange dude approached me... fortunately I am not the world's most attractive man so no one was really interested lol
- April 9th, 2015, 9:31 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Handling Wild Herps Poll
- Replies: 66
- Views: 26025
Re: Handling Wild Herps Poll
My take on it: The year is 2050. It's illegal to look at a wild herp or own a goldfish. Herps continue to decline at an ever increasing rate. The media reports that commercial collection for the pet trade in the rising economies of Asia is to blame after successful bans on the ownership of even cats...
- October 28th, 2014, 6:02 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: International Herping
- Replies: 10
- Views: 3823
Re: International Herping
These guys would be an option if you do Ecuador http://www.tropicalherping.com/services/main.html . I agree Costa Rica is great. I haven't been there in many years but there used to be some great flight deals. I would set aside one day for something touristy, too. Sitting in a hot springs listening ...
- September 29th, 2014, 4:19 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Petition To Stop The Kentucky Snakeslayers
- Replies: 21
- Views: 7577
Re: Petition To Stop The Kentucky Snakeslayers
I fear giving them any kind of attention will only encourage them. On the other hand, I think Bryan is right that they are unlikely to make any difference from a population standpoint. While it is certainly distasteful, I see no more reason for us to fear the effects they cause than for us to not ro...
- September 15th, 2014, 5:17 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Zoo destroying Alameda Whipsnake habitat for Bison exhibit
- Replies: 55
- Views: 26380
Re: Zoo destroying Alameda Whipsnake habitat for Bison exhib
Its 56 acres' my backyard is that big. Surely, there must be larger conservation concerns in the world.
- September 10th, 2014, 4:37 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Chameleon exploration
- Replies: 28
- Views: 8934
Re: Chameleon exploration
Gerry, It's not fair to blame herpers for this issue. The anti-pet industry has spent decades repeating (without any associated evidence) that collectors cause the decline of herp populations. I've even met well educated persons who should know better that have repeated these statements to me. I bel...
- August 28th, 2014, 5:08 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Snake Fungal Disease confirmed in Georgia
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1595
Re: Snake Fungal Disease confirmed in Georgia
Wonder how long it takes the animal rights activist to start a wide scale smear to blame it on the pet industry?
- August 21st, 2014, 5:15 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: European species overviews - restored
- Replies: 5
- Views: 2332
Re: European species overviews - restored
Very enjoyable to have a European perspective on herping and some great photos, too. One thing I noticed is that you mentioned poachers quite a few times. Have you found any instances where poachers caused a population decline? With the possible exception of those slow maturing vipers, it seems unli...
- August 3rd, 2014, 5:20 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
- Replies: 135
- Views: 36579
Re: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
I think further research could only benefit from bringing in some new, unbiased personnel. Having the same people come up with a conclusion and then try to find some way, any way no matter how far fetched, to justify it wouldn't seem to accomplish much.
- August 2nd, 2014, 1:40 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: The thrill of the hunt, or the prize at the end?
- Replies: 23
- Views: 8219
Re: The thrill of the hunt, or the prize at the end?
Mostly the thrill of the hunt. I love planning herping trips and doing research and trying to determine what I might find during far away trips. Locally, I love just checking various rock cuts and such to see what might turn up and if nothing else I get some exercise. I don't really keep anything I ...
- August 1st, 2014, 3:58 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
- Replies: 130
- Views: 535017
Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Gerry, the example I just cannot get past are some college biology students struggling to buy books having to buy licenses or a 17 year old kid who can barely afford gas to go road cruising. How do you suppose deterring those kids from getting out in the field will help wildlife and foster an intere...
- August 1st, 2014, 3:52 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
- Replies: 135
- Views: 36579
Re: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Hi Gerry, I cannot speak for Ernie, only myself. I don't have any anti-science agenda. I used to regularly hang out with several people who do research on snakes and found many of them quite a bit of fun to get into the field with and learn from. However, some of the python research was of high scho...
- July 30th, 2014, 5:16 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
- Replies: 130
- Views: 535017
Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Moving a snake off the road is not any sort of conservation strategy nor do I believe deterring people from doing so would or could have any population level effects. Not building the road through a truly endangered animals habitat would be the answer there, not a snake getting helped across one out...
- July 30th, 2014, 5:07 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
- Replies: 135
- Views: 36579
Re: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Ernie,
The question I have is what problem are the researchers trying to solve? As far as I know, there isn't a shred of proof the pythons have caused any problems at all. So just keep doing research for the sake of doing research all the while other species are headed toward extinction?
The question I have is what problem are the researchers trying to solve? As far as I know, there isn't a shred of proof the pythons have caused any problems at all. So just keep doing research for the sake of doing research all the while other species are headed toward extinction?
- July 28th, 2014, 8:43 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
- Replies: 135
- Views: 36579
Re: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
it made me laugh uncontrollably
- July 28th, 2014, 8:42 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
- Replies: 130
- Views: 535017
Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
As an outside, I don't really get it. What is the big deal about some people walking around roadsides looking at snakes? What could they possibly hurt?
- July 28th, 2014, 3:47 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
- Replies: 135
- Views: 36579
Re: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
The latest "research" shows the pythons will reach the North Pole before Christmas, endangering all of Santa's helpers and threatens to cancel the holiday season. The cancellation of Christmas could cost billions of dollars in economic damage as Santa would be unable to purchase and delive...
- July 20th, 2014, 4:54 pm
- Forum: News
- Topic: Giant boa "terrorizing" NJ lake...
- Replies: 24
- Views: 14774
Re: Giant boa "terrorizing" NJ lake...
I was on scene this morning. Turns out it's a cobra-anaconda hybrid. That's right folks, it's actually about 6o feet long, 6,000 lbs, highly venomous, and can swim at 60 mph. Now we must ban all corn snakes to save the state before it's too, only animal rights activists can save us now.
- July 20th, 2014, 4:50 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
- Replies: 135
- Views: 36579
Re: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
We must act now before opposums are gone forever! Perhaps with just a few million more study dollars, we can turn this around before it's too late!
- July 20th, 2014, 8:13 am
- Forum: News
- Topic: Giant boa "terrorizing" NJ lake...
- Replies: 24
- Views: 14774
Re: Giant boa "terrorizing" NJ lake...
Amazing, now it's going to overwinter and start a feral population in NJ. The press really needs to set a higher standard for "reptile expert", especially in a state where the average person's experience with animals are a couple of trips to a zoo.
- July 12th, 2014, 12:04 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Opportunistic Caribbean Cruise Herping
- Replies: 12
- Views: 6080
Re: Opportunistic Caribbean Cruise Herping
Say Whaaaat? no snakes? Just kidding!
- July 12th, 2014, 12:01 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Color and Pattern Variations in Eastern Garter Snakes
- Replies: 43
- Views: 24670
Re: Color and Pattern Variations in Eastern Garter Snakes
Very cool. So many beautiful forms of garters with reds and blues being my favorites. If they weren't native to here and common, far more people would be obsessed with them lol
- July 12th, 2014, 11:58 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Pattern variant C. oreganus
- Replies: 22
- Views: 9711
Re: Pattern variant C. oreganus
Very cool, hope you were able to keep it without pickling it. Would make a great display snake. Wonder if there are more like that nearby?
- July 5th, 2014, 9:26 pm
- Forum: News
- Topic: animal cruelty charges for rat abuse
- Replies: 3
- Views: 3629
Re: animal cruelty charges for rat abuse
I think it's more the stinking and fear of escape that probably set the neighbors off than genuine concern for the rats, but that's just my guess. To be fair, I'm not sure I'd want hundreds of dead rats next door to me either, unless they were frozen and free =)
- June 11th, 2014, 3:12 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Last night N. siamensis saved from deathrow, krait and frogs
- Replies: 34
- Views: 10440
Re: Last night N. siamensis saved from deathrow, krait and f
Gerry, How would his behaviour bring the whole herp community down? I don't know if you are aware or not, but the public perception of most hot keepers is pretty low to begin with. As far as handling wild snakes, I doubt the general public is too concerned about the snakes or if someone handles them...
- June 10th, 2014, 6:26 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Last night N. siamensis saved from deathrow, krait and frogs
- Replies: 34
- Views: 10440
Re: Last night N. siamensis saved from deathrow, krait and f
I didn't watch the video but unless the snake was injured, forced to endure unusual temperatures, or completely exhausted, I don't see what the big deal is. Everyone has his or her owl level of risk and Henning clearly knew he was taking a risk and seems accepting that the outcome could have been qu...
- April 9th, 2014, 6:33 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Noob questions re: technique, safety, etc
- Replies: 38
- Views: 11187
Re: Noob questions re: technique, safety, etc
I think the biggest risks will be driving to and from the site and twisting an ankle, based on my experience. Also bring toiletries and water, you'll need them at some point and won't want to be without them. I wouldn't try flipping rocks with a hook. It sounds like a great idea only until you reali...
- February 14th, 2014, 5:31 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: A big Burmese python in Everglades National Park.
- Replies: 77
- Views: 27942
Re: A big Burmese python in Everglades National Park.
IMO Ernie is the voice of reason on this thread. >>Should not the large constrictor breeding industry have regulated itself 20 or 30 years ago? There is no proof that the pythons were established by breeders. They might have come from anywhere, we may as well speculate that animals rights activists ...
- February 12th, 2014, 5:50 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: A big Burmese python in Everglades National Park.
- Replies: 77
- Views: 27942
Re: A big Burmese python in Everglades National Park.
I have a a few ideas why Pythons are the perfect PR machine. 1) A lot of people fear snakes, so the alleged need to "control snakes" has immediate public appeal 2) Most wildlife issues are impossible to address while simultaneously encouraging population growth and development. 3) People s...
- February 5th, 2014, 3:27 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: rattlesnake relocation in Pa
- Replies: 9
- Views: 3263
Re: rattlesnake relocation in Pa
Hey there, glad you were able to show some snakes to your family. One thing to consider is relocation usually is a feel good response that may do more harm than good. Any located over a large distance will likely perish. Any relocated over a short distance will likely return to their original positi...
- January 30th, 2014, 3:22 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Thank You, Dr. Bruce Means!
- Replies: 7
- Views: 2967
Re: Thank You, Dr. Bruce Means!
What if the decline is unrelated to the roundup?
- January 29th, 2014, 4:04 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Axolotls going extinct?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 3090
Re: Axolotls going extinct?
Seems like an easy fix, take some up in the hills and dig a pond where it won't get too hot. They seem fairly adaptable if you could keep the temps moderate (seems easier to move them to a higher elevation than to dig something deep enough at a lower one), water levels stable, and keep the fish out....
- January 18th, 2014, 1:35 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Rattlesnake Armor!
- Replies: 40
- Views: 17034
Re: Rattlesnake Armor!
best thread of 2014
- January 18th, 2014, 1:31 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Which Exotic Species are Really Scary?
- Replies: 30
- Views: 13861
Re: Which Exotic Species are Really Scary?
Revised article Exotic species not so scary Some of the world’s medium sized, interesting reptiles have been found in the United States where they had previously been separated from, including Nile monitors and Burmese pythons. Despite rumors of larger snakes, like Green Anacondas, these have only b...
- January 1st, 2014, 6:44 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Human Society weighs in on invasive pythons
- Replies: 17
- Views: 3653
Re: Human Society weighs in on invasive pythons
I will back the banning of invasive species, beginning with Felis catus. The sad thing is so many will donate to HSUS without knowing the true intentions of the organization and how the money is really used. I've tried to educate as many as I can but I hope someone media savy can do far more.
- July 31st, 2013, 9:18 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Snake Fungal Disease
- Replies: 95
- Views: 34636
Re: Snake Fungal Disease
It sounds like we need a new funding model. Small, private donors would seem to be an underutilized resource. While there are only so many big fish donors and only so many public funds available, a large group of small donations might prove effective in some cases. It seems to me that the ideal use ...
- March 15th, 2013, 6:40 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Bog Turtles mentioned in Nature
- Replies: 16
- Views: 5300
Re: Bog Turtles mentioned in Nature
Muskie, I'm confused how banking came up, but I'll try to bring it back to science. Models have been created which show the dependency of businesses on one another. In the case of certain banking institutions, it was shown that failure would result in many, many other businesses failing. We did let ...
- March 15th, 2013, 6:12 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Success! Florida Python Bio-Blitz
- Replies: 57
- Views: 18204
Re: Success! Florida Python Bio-Blitz
I don't think the Coyote comparison is a good one. I have them around my home and they are easy to call in or attract with food. I think the results show this idea is pretty much worthless.
- March 15th, 2013, 4:44 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Bog Turtles mentioned in Nature
- Replies: 16
- Views: 5300
Re: Bog Turtles mentioned in Nature
I don't know enough about this stuff to really have an opinion, but it does raise a couple of questions. 1) As the populations get smaller and rare recessives meet, I expect some fitness disadvantages. However, I am aware of introductions involving small numbers of individuals for whom this bottlene...
- December 9th, 2012, 6:05 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Why so little information?
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2611
Why so little information?
I browsed the database but noticed there were relatively few fields. Perhaps I didn't use the correct search function, but is there information regarding den, foraging, and breeding? Seems like the spatial data would be more useful if the function of the area was available I also wonder if there is ...
- December 9th, 2012, 12:54 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Learning about snakes
- Replies: 0
- Views: 659
Learning about snakes
I'm trying to come up with a good strategy to learn as much general knowledge about snakes as possible before I pick an area that especially interests me. I have no interest in attending a University as I already have a position in another field. I'm around 50% of the way through "Snakes: Ecolo...