Search found 292 matches

by lateralis
August 20th, 2016, 1:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Craziest Border Patrol Story
Replies: 41
Views: 23359

Re: Craziest Border Patrol Story

1. Ask for the badge number, but make no threats. It's better to keep them wondering! 2. If you have a voice or video recorder, cell phone app, or other, ask if he or she minds if you record the interaction. Sound advice BUT you do not need to ask their permission as I understand the law, you simpl...
by lateralis
August 18th, 2016, 12:04 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Craziest Border Patrol Story
Replies: 41
Views: 23359

Re: Craziest Border Patrol Story

Hey Steve did they (atf) identify themselves first? That approach is a recipe for disaster and I hope this was stated to them after the dust settled. At the very least I would have given them an earful for pointing a weapon at me without just cause and most certainly would have collected names and b...
by lateralis
August 15th, 2016, 8:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Craziest Border Patrol Story
Replies: 41
Views: 23359

Re: Craziest Border Patrol Story

While enjoying the wilds of extreme SW Arizona a couple of years ago I was contacted by two "youngsters" on one of their first unsupervised patrols. They came screaming across the desert at Mach one convinced they had Pablo Escobar in their sights so you can imagine their surprise when the...
by lateralis
August 15th, 2016, 6:00 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: France
Replies: 4
Views: 2731

Re: France

Howdy there Huck, Yep it's hot but you should see some stuff early and later in the day. You are not far from Verdon which is a great climbing area and loaded with some good habitat and water down in the bottom of the gorge. I have not been back for quite some time but as I recall the towns of La Pa...
by lateralis
August 5th, 2016, 4:37 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why You Dont Collect
Replies: 279
Views: 1425181

Re: Why You Dont Collect

Does Arizona not frown upon capturing reptiles, keeping them in captivity, and then releasing them back into the wild ? California would have ones private parts in a vice for that activity. Though we can do it in the short term of a day or two I believe. In terms of collecting, I do some here and th...
by lateralis
August 4th, 2016, 5:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: When is habitat restoration for herps a good thing?
Replies: 42
Views: 28328

Re: When is habitat restoration for herps a good thing?

restoration should be at the landscape level as it protects far more than a single species - now if that species is a keystone species than protection of that species can have a top down effect. For example, restoring jaguar habitat not only serves the jaguar but also the many species that share the...
by lateralis
August 1st, 2016, 8:33 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Leetle Rascals
Replies: 0
Views: 2299

Leetle Rascals

This was sent to me by one of the steering committees I sit on here in the Salton Sink, looks interesting.
http://www.nhm.org/rascals
by lateralis
August 1st, 2016, 8:31 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lil' Rascals
Replies: 1
Views: 2715

Lil' Rascals

Just an FYI, this was sent to me today by one of the steering committees I sit on...
http://www.nhm.org/rascals

Cheers
by lateralis
July 30th, 2016, 9:08 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Gila Monsters threatened by climate change?
Replies: 32
Views: 15603

Re: Gila Monsters threatened by climate change?

...nobody mentioned the fact that this author claimed to have seen "thousands of them". If that's the case monsters must be doing pretty well lol. Climate models in the Imperial and Coachella Valley have predicted many species will just move upslope to higher elevations. With Fringe-toed l...
by lateralis
July 8th, 2016, 2:18 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Dishonesty in government
Replies: 121
Views: 40752

Re: Dishonesty in government

I am at a loss to understand how, when, where, and who started this immoral process. I guess there are several of us who share this feeling Richard, and after reading Cloak and Jaguar I am still flabbergasted by how deep the corruption runs. One of the guilty parties in the macho b debacle ended up...
by lateralis
July 8th, 2016, 6:33 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Dishonesty in government
Replies: 121
Views: 40752

Re: Dishonesty in government

GP interaction and capture of herps isnt addressed because its uncontrollable, untraceable, unaccountable, and when it is brought up, its regularly in an apologists notation. Captures in a coffee can, etc that turn out too inconvenient to keep - there is no evidence that the experience leads "...
by lateralis
July 5th, 2016, 5:47 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Dishonesty in government
Replies: 121
Views: 40752

Re: Dishonesty in government

Pick up a copy of "Cloak and Jaguar" and one can see just how far agencies will run their game. How about to the tune of killing the last known jaguar (at the time) in the US. Then read how just about everyone responsible walked away without a trouble in the world and two of them ended up ...
by lateralis
June 29th, 2016, 2:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: USGS Fraud brought to light
Replies: 9
Views: 4865

Re: USGS Fraud brought to light

The USGS report on pythons comes to mind as well as the mammal study in ENP. I have a friend who worked with USGS during the construction of the border wall in CA and AZ and he didn't have many positive things to say about them.
by lateralis
June 24th, 2016, 4:18 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Santa Rosalia Rat Snake (Baja Rat)
Replies: 49
Views: 82979

Re: Santa Rosalia Rat Snake (Baja Rat)

Hi jonathon Well everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it would be just that - an opinion. If bajas were a native species they would have found another by now, and that is my proof: no Dors, no live specimens, and none found immediately adjacent to the border in over 30 years. the area where th...
by lateralis
June 11th, 2016, 11:21 pm
Forum: Fish Forum
Topic: Raising mosquitofish
Replies: 8
Views: 17751

Re: Raising mosquitofish

As several have mentioned gambusia are a snap to maintain and breed. They are considered a direct competitor with desert pupfish and other endemic species out here in the west but they do like skeeters. Pupfish have actually proven to be more effective but the paperwork is a pain. Chris, you should ...
by lateralis
June 2nd, 2016, 11:44 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A fellow herper in need of help
Replies: 2
Views: 2054

Re: A fellow herper in need of help

Having danced with the reaper myself I can appreciate the financial/mental strain Jason is facing and it is sad that a young man must face such a trial so early in life. Thank you for posting the link. Jason if you read this, keep fighting!

Peace
by lateralis
June 1st, 2016, 3:34 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: What do you think made this wound? (Latest Updates).
Replies: 30
Views: 45449

Re: What do you think made this wound? (Latest Updates).

Feral piglets are cute but look better in the freezer. They do tremendous damage once they exit the cute phase.
by lateralis
June 1st, 2016, 2:17 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: North American big cats
Replies: 34
Views: 80416

Re: North American big cats

I have a strong interest in jags so I would like too see your photo Gopher. It didn't come up here. Your photo was taken in the US??? That would be the shot of a lifetime!
by lateralis
June 1st, 2016, 2:04 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: ... of cloaks and jaguars ...
Replies: 1
Views: 11868

Re: ... of cloaks and jaguars ...

A thought provoking read and a shameful legacy for azgf and the USFWS. The truly sad thing is how painfully obvious it was that the agencies covered their collective ass and went after the "little people". Some of the most culpable are STILL involved with jag work as PAID consultants when ...
by lateralis
May 9th, 2016, 1:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Are these king snakes fighting or courting?
Replies: 25
Views: 11450

Re: Are these king snakes fighting or courting?

Classic male combat.
by lateralis
May 4th, 2016, 10:45 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Just a heads up if you're in teh Santa Monica Mountains...
Replies: 51
Views: 18203

Re: Just a heads up if you're in teh Santa Monica Mountains.

I wrote that about withholding data. I'm fed up with the mentality that suspects the worst right away. I called the Park Service and never even got a call back. I'm serious about telling them to go take a flying jump the next time they ask for data. Why should we help these ignorant morons? You won...
by lateralis
April 19th, 2016, 2:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Just a heads up if you're in teh Santa Monica Mountains...
Replies: 51
Views: 18203

Re: Just a heads up if you're in teh Santa Monica Mountains.

Hey Brian true enough well hopefully things work out. With luck the guilty party(s) will change their idiotic ways.
by lateralis
April 19th, 2016, 10:45 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Don't Tread On Me... BLEACH & BOOTS
Replies: 43
Views: 16825

Re: Don't Tread On Me... BLEACH & BOOTS

Check Reynolds, Miranda and Cumming 2015 in biodiversity review. The short answer is yes, wading birds are known to help in the dispersal of aquatic invasive species.
by lateralis
April 18th, 2016, 11:01 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Just a heads up if you're in teh Santa Monica Mountains...
Replies: 51
Views: 18203

Re: Just a heads up if you're in teh Santa Monica Mountains.

Hi Brian, ...I agree with you too, I wasn't throwing out a challenge to you personally, but I do see an opportunity here for NAFHA. While it is possible that people were collecting the odd king or gopher snake at this site, it was probably not at any meaningful level, rather just an innocent AC line...
by lateralis
April 18th, 2016, 2:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Just a heads up if you're in teh Santa Monica Mountains...
Replies: 51
Views: 18203

Re: Just a heads up if you're in teh Santa Monica Mountains.

Hi Brian My intent was to get the correct perspective out in the open and since education is one of our mantras I felt this was a huge educational moment. Personally these anthropogenic AC sites do bug me because it is littering whether in a NP or banning pass, and from that standpoint I agree and a...
by lateralis
April 18th, 2016, 9:03 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Just a heads up if you're in teh Santa Monica Mountains...
Replies: 51
Views: 18203

Re: Just a heads up if you're in teh Santa Monica Mountains.

Robert I used the contact links associated with the article and sent duplicates to the paper and to the author. Hopefully an intern didn't put them in the vertical file lol.
by lateralis
April 16th, 2016, 10:44 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Just a heads up if you're in teh Santa Monica Mountains...
Replies: 51
Views: 18203

Re: Just a heads up if you're in teh Santa Monica Mountains.

I don't care to support that little parasite, mark sucker burg ( iPad correction how appropriate lol) so I sent an email directly to the author and paper offering the unbiased truth about this poorly written article. IMO it would be a huge failure on NAFHA's part and especially the SoCal chapter to ...
by lateralis
April 13th, 2016, 3:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Just a heads up if you're in teh Santa Monica Mountains...
Replies: 51
Views: 18203

Re: Just a heads up if you're in teh Santa Monica Mountains.

Apologies amigo, I copied the wrong quote lol. But somebody mentioned withholding data which is a hollow threat and likely won't result in anything positive. What should happen is a redaction of the published pieces and a spanking for the dolts who wrote And contributed to the articles in question. ...
by lateralis
April 13th, 2016, 11:30 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Just a heads up if you're in teh Santa Monica Mountains...
Replies: 51
Views: 18203

Re: Just a heads up if you're in teh Santa Monica Mountains.

I just read the two articles from the nps and the la times. Unbelievable lol I hope Nafha leaders contact the authors and put them back on course. That was some poor writing and obviously had some heavy influence from the noob rangers. The new enviro ethic I see in this field is so heavily biased by...
by lateralis
April 12th, 2016, 2:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Just a heads up if you're in teh Santa Monica Mountains...
Replies: 51
Views: 18203

Re: Just a heads up if you're in teh Santa Monica Mountains.

I wrote a reply about the data we collect for them. I also mentioned that although it is illegal to place boards out there, no law prohibits the flipping of such boards, provided one has a fishing license. More flies with honey ad nauseum, No license required for flipping trash as long as you don't...
by lateralis
April 4th, 2016, 10:25 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Don't Tread On Me... BLEACH & BOOTS
Replies: 43
Views: 16825

Re: Don't Tread On Me... BLEACH & BOOTS

i don't project much but I do think critically about the responses I see and my replies. One of the things that has driven me away from this place has been the proliferation of the "here let me set you straight crowd". Probably the most important reason I'll limit my future input to writin...
by lateralis
April 2nd, 2016, 11:45 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Don't Tread On Me... BLEACH & BOOTS
Replies: 43
Views: 16825

Re: Don't Tread On Me... BLEACH & BOOTS

A better curriculum to model would be the medical and agricultural protocols, the " how we roll on sites and field" might not cut it. There needs to be additional training more in depth in method. Kelly what I mentioned are standardized disinfection materials used globally in zoos, medica...
by lateralis
April 1st, 2016, 7:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Don't Tread On Me... BLEACH & BOOTS
Replies: 43
Views: 16825

Re: Don't Tread On Me... BLEACH & BOOTS

Acetic acid or vinegar also works well and you do not have to worry about chlorine residuals. There are many commercial footbath products available but do your homework on toxicity issues. A cat pan filled with a 10% chlorine mixture, or straight vinegar, is how I have rolled in the past at various ...
by lateralis
March 30th, 2016, 10:43 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Bucket Trap Mystery
Replies: 20
Views: 7334

Re: Bucket Trap Mystery

The positioning of the buckets is lousy and in direct sun so I would suspect the "poachers" are either complete idiots or plan on checking them frequently. I would have placed a game camera nearby to record the return of the bucketeers.

And yes switaks are a saxicolous species.
by lateralis
March 29th, 2016, 7:22 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: “GPS My Rattlesnake” - Tracking Snakes Using New Technology
Replies: 14
Views: 7721

Re: “GPS My Rattlesnake” - Tracking Snakes Using New Technol

A novel approach and I have a few questions: How will this GPS unit affect the snakes ability to use it's rattle ? Rattles are notoriously fragile so do you anticipate loss of your GPS units? Will the snakes be able to escape predators with that unit dragging behind them? Can the signal intercepted ...
by lateralis
March 1st, 2016, 1:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ... wow ...scott waters has raised the bar .. ck this out ..
Replies: 4
Views: 3025

Re: ... wow ...scott waters has raised the bar .. ck this ou

Agreed, good on you Scott and thanks for extending this on to the members.
:beer:
Lat
by lateralis
February 22nd, 2016, 11:25 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: These are becoming everyday
Replies: 5
Views: 2817

Re: These are becoming everyday

I am not sure how the CDFW handles part time visitors. Sea Snakes, unlike the land versions travel long distances. I don't think they manage part time bird visitors either. Fundad It's pretty clean cut with birds via the MBTA but like bajas these things are "visitors" hence my humor. If o...
by lateralis
February 18th, 2016, 5:12 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: These are becoming everyday
Replies: 5
Views: 2817

Re: These are becoming everyday

I'm surprised they have not been counted as one of our natives and given SSC status. They have found multiple specimens right?
by lateralis
February 2nd, 2016, 9:02 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Field Technicians for CA Common Chuckwalla Behavioral Study
Replies: 25
Views: 6760

Re: Field Technicians for CA Common Chuckwalla Behavioral St

Yet another post getting spell checked "sigh". What is it with this place? A friendly banter gets twisted into a mess yet again, it's gotten old and reaffirms to me why I stopped investing time here after the 2010 crash. Some of you really need to engage your brain before you type; and sto...
by lateralis
February 1st, 2016, 2:33 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: RFI(?) Belize and questions about a few species
Replies: 2
Views: 1247

Re: RFI(?) Belize and questions about a few species

Can anyone offer any advice on finding Yucatán Banded Geckos (Coleonyx elegans)? They're as close to a main goal as I have at the moment.
Fairly common, plan on flipping them or finding them on roads n trails at night. I have a lot of experience in BZ pm me and we can talk.
by lateralis
February 1st, 2016, 2:22 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Field Technicians for CA Common Chuckwalla Behavioral Study
Replies: 25
Views: 6760

Re: Field Technicians for CA Common Chuckwalla Behavioral St

Boyd Deep Canyon RC is a great place to do fieldwork and I'm sure Mark and Al will appreciate the company. They have a pool which will see a lot of use by interns working in the valley during the hot season. John I am not that old yet but it sure feels like it on Mondays :lol: KS did helli shoot u a...
by lateralis
January 31st, 2016, 12:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Catalina Island Zonata
Replies: 148
Views: 8507

Re: Catalina Island Zonata

Maybe someone can answer - could Richard even have legally taken the snake? If one were in a survival situation all regulations are off. If one is collecting tissue samples from SSC or other listed species in CA I hope they have their SCP up to date. Not sure why this has not been mentioned yet but...
by lateralis
January 28th, 2016, 12:01 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Catalina Island Zonata
Replies: 148
Views: 8507

Re: Catalina Island Zonata

deep breath in, deep breath out, repeat...lets think about some things: 1. Relict populations of a species on an island are going to behave differently than their relatives on the mainland so we don't really know whats "typical" with regards to Catalina zonata (and remember, it is also bel...
by lateralis
January 22nd, 2016, 9:01 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Catalina Island Zonata
Replies: 148
Views: 8507

Re: Catalina Island Zonata

My issue is that this forum seems to trend towards skepticism and negativity a lot of the time, and that makes it a significantly worse place to be. One of the reasons my efforts and interest have waned since the 2010 crash. There is less science and field herping and more showmanship and bickering...
by lateralis
December 17th, 2015, 1:36 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: "Pick one thing"
Replies: 115
Views: 51024

Re: "Pick one thing"

upworthy.com showing how to be part of the solution & getting some exercise at the same time 8-)
by lateralis
December 17th, 2015, 10:25 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: "Pick one thing"
Replies: 115
Views: 51024

Re: "Pick one thing"

You're already moving the goalposts! So now it's "at least" one thing... How about reducing our agricultural footprint by curtailing our farming of things which have little to no nutritional value--cut out coffee and wine! Lol nah but if large numbers of people do at least one thing than ...
by lateralis
December 15th, 2015, 10:29 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: "Pick one thing"
Replies: 115
Views: 51024

Re: "Pick one thing"

I apologize for driving the thread off-topic somewhat. Jimi, I agree that the "one thing" is a flawed proposition from the outset. Not really, picking at least one thing is taking a step in the right direction. Not doing anything or relying on elected officials to do the dirty work is fat...
by lateralis
December 10th, 2015, 10:54 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: "Pick one thing"
Replies: 115
Views: 51024

Re: "Pick one thing"

Noah I was not comparing fisheries to ag I was making a point about food availability. Fisheries do experience boom and bust scenarios but if you stay up on current events you will know it is primarily due to anthropogenic influence - vis a vis overfishing, pollution, etc. The Ehrlichs et al. are on...
by lateralis
December 9th, 2015, 1:47 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: "Pick one thing"
Replies: 115
Views: 51024

Re: "Pick one thing"

I'm not an expert, but I'm pretty sure this is a commonly-perpetuated fallacy. Having studied this issue, I can tell u it's not. Fisheries are collapsing around the world and many countries routinely send their catch boats into other countries waters because they have fished out there own. And that...
by lateralis
December 9th, 2015, 9:25 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: "Pick one thing"
Replies: 115
Views: 51024

Re: "Pick one thing"

How would I get to work? Once, there, do my job? Heat my home? Cool my home and light my darkness? How would I eat? Ride a bike, take the bus, carpool? Living sustainably is a choice not a mandate and any efforts to make that choice at an individual level will lead to a collective effort. When I wa...