Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: PrimitiveTim on April 27, 2013, 02:36:50 pm
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My first hobby was reptiles. It still is today but between my other hobbies it doesn't get as much attention as it once did. I really have a soft spot for snakes. They're extremely misunderstood by the most folks and I feel it's our duty to give any animal our attention and try to understand them before we make an assumption and lop its head off. Snakes are NOT out to get us and they are NOT evil. I've caught hundreds of snakes and about a tenth of those have bitten me and 0% of those were venomous. I have caught a few venomous species, even our great eastern diamondback rattlesnake but even those tend to give more than enough warning to their potential danger.
So this is why I tend to discourage people from killing snakes. There are tons of snakes that get killed crossing rural roads during the warmer parts of the year. Literally tons. This is a real shame but what is more shameful is letting them just rot away on the road. Many of these snakes are in good enough condition to skin and use.
Anyway, here are pictures of some of the cooler species that I've found:
Pigmy Rattlesnake
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/5376_116303684864_6871723_n.jpg)
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/13943_217970239864_5849734_n.jpg)
Water Moccasin (Juvenile)
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/25269_391369149864_4378694_n.jpg)
Eastern Coachwhip
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/30851_405286089864_6463664_n.jpg)
Southern Black Racer
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/25401_366381859864_113441_n.jpg)
Scarlet Kingsnake
(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/207509_10150158681519865_4596585_n.jpg)
Scarlet Snake (different species than the above)
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/252790_10150218197639865_7181951_n.jpg)
Rough Green Snake
(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/254258_10150218484264865_1718618_n.jpg)
Timber Rattlesnake (didn't so much as rattle at me. Was totally calm and non-aggressive)
(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/284535_10150282195784865_4053920_n.jpg)
Yellow Rat Snake
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/294842_10150320358959865_1931072336_n.jpg)
Corn Snake
(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/301658_10150320506354865_1476478030_n.jpg)
These are very beneficial creatures as even smaller specimens can devour mice with a much larger girth than themselves as show from the snake above. The snake above actually ate a few baby mice and the mother.
I hope I was able to convey my views of snakes to everyone and how they play an important role in the ecosystem and they're beautiful creatures that deserve our respect.
Thanks for reading,
Tim
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cool pics Tim!
thanks for sharing....and well said!
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Oh wow! Ain't them pygmy rattlers cute??? They have one at Reptile Gardens, when he sheds his skin is absolutely gorgeously patterned.
And that looks like a whompin' big timber rattler. Amazing critters!
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Nice pictures. I respect them and let them be, but they still scare the living daylights out of me.. Out of everything that I've ever encountered in this world. Snakes are the one thing that truly give me the creeps. >:D
Jon
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Couldn't agree more! Love snakes and have been intrigued by them as long as I can remember. Even though the rest of my family is scared breathless by them I have never hesitated to catch one if I see it. I have no problem letting them go if there's a reason to do so, or skinning them to use on a bow. I'm just a fan either way!
Scott
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Nice pictures and I agree with what you said.
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WOW, Tim,
really cool pictures, I never knew too much about them, but when I was a kid I used to catch snakes and bring them home, once caught a garter snake that was swallowing a frog, always freaked my mom out, and one time while walking my dog, I saw a snake I could'nt identify strike my dog as he walked buy, the dog never knew anything happened, I was afraid it was an eastern rattle snake, but was'nt sure so I caught it in a jar and checked it out with a field guide, turned out to be a milk snake.
COOL pics!
Kevin
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once caught a garter snake that was swallowing a frog,
Like this?
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/59739_10151369277299865_1874260077_n.jpg)
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Who doesn't like frog legs?
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Great pics, I too love to go herping used to breed pythons also. I agree with your statement about road killed snakes,and would like to add one if I may. I for one see no difference in taking a animals life be it a deer ,rabbit or a snake and try to treat both with the respect deserved and utilize everything I can. And if not wanted for a bow treatment and possibly food either for you or possibly other pets (I have friends who feed road kill snakes to their carnivorous lizards and kingsnakes). Then to me that's just wasteful.
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Good post. Every time I see a pic of a King Snake, the old " Red next to black, is a friend of Jack" thing runs thru My Head. Bob
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I for one see no difference in taking a animals life be it a deer ,rabbit or a snake and try to treat both with the respect deserved and utilize everything I can.
Here's the thing though. Deer and rabbits are regulated by law. Here in Florida I can kill as many rattlesnakes as I want and most people won't care.
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I for one see no difference in taking a animals life be it a deer ,rabbit or a snake and try to treat both with the respect deserved and utilize everything I can.
Here's the thing though. Deer and rabbits are regulated by law. Here in Florida I can kill as many rattlesnakes as I want and most people won't care.
I do not agree with killing a species unregulated, unless they are being a major problem within the ecosystem. Now, seals up here in the northwest could use some thinning, the salmon eating vermon!
VMB
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Some nice pics. I hear you, I also have reptiles (geckos) and I love it when they shed there skin. SS
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Regulated by law or not, I never could see how someone will hack, club, slash or in any other way make the death of an animal inhumane. If your going to kill it use it, do it quick and utilize it just like you would with the more "respected" species. Can you imagine the outrage if someone showed several deer lined up all killed in one day for their skin only and a video of them taking multiple shots at its body while it squirmed in pain. I don't mean to rant but to me a life is a life. He'll I'm scared to death of spiders but I only kill them accidentally during the flailing dance after I walk into their web, other then that I avoid them or relocate them with a stick and jar.
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Being a exterminator I couldn't disagree more on the spider issue. :laugh:
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Being a exterminator I couldn't disagree more on the spider issue. :laugh:
Lol, when I find spiders in the house I just leave them be.... even big ones with a 3 inch diameter (legs). They haven't bothered me yet. I used to be afraid of them but after you hold a few tarantulas the ones in the house seem kind of lame.
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Always loved snakes had an albino corn snake for years...I think it was a snow.
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Sweet pics Tim. I was drawn to bats (to the point of becoming a bat biologist!) for some of those same reasons you were drawn to snakes...misunderstood, fascinating, mysterious animals! I also like to catch snakes.
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/756756-R1-017-9_zps764a44a6.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/756756-R1-017-9_zps764a44a6.jpg.html)
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Dang Carson, that's a big atrox!
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Yes Sir...
I just traded a pretty little sub adult Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake to a buddy of mine for several nice DOR (Dead On Road) snakes.
The Pygmy went into a Parks display to educate city dwellers.
It should lead a pampered life from here on out. :)
I love snakes...
-gus
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Sweet pics Tim. I was drawn to bats (to the point of becoming a bat biologist!) for some of those same reasons you were drawn to snakes...misunderstood, fascinating, mysterious animals! I also like to catch snakes.
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/756756-R1-017-9_zps764a44a6.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/756756-R1-017-9_zps764a44a6.jpg.html)
Show off! ;D
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Around here the poisonous ones go bye bye and the non poison crawl away (sometimes relocated) especially if near homes and people. I love dealing with snakes. I usually catch and play with them for a bit and send em on. I love how each and overy one has a personality of its own.
Quick question...I've only come in contact with one pigmy rattler so I know little to nothing about em. It was on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere so we left him be. How dangerous are they as far as poison goes?
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How dangerous are they as far as poison goes?
The toxin the snakes have is technically a venom. Only one recorded species that is poisonous to eat.
As far as pigmies go I don't think there are any recorded deaths. Maybe for children. I know two people that have been bitten and they're perfectly fine now. If you get bit just go to the hospital. They'll take care of you.
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Only just spotted this thread. Interesting stuff, as I'm a reptile owner/breeder as well!
I'm based in the UK, and that means there are quite a few different regulations on what we can/can't keep. My current list of reps include a royal python, numerous cornsnakes, a couple of mexican black kingsnakes, a brazilian rainbow boa and two STUNNING Suriname Red Tail boas (absolutely breathtaking snakes!) along with the usual boring bearded dragons etc. Also have a couple of really rare Agama Mwanzae or "spiderman lizards" that I'm hoping to breed at some point in the future.
Here's a quick example of an average quality Suriname Red Tail Boa Constrictor:
(http://www.millerreptiles.com/Surinames/Surinames_images/DSC01045.jpg)
And one of a typical Agama Mwanzae (see why they're called Spiderman Lizards?)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pmWI4KjzFkE/Tl53B4Mv0TI/AAAAAAAABBU/yBkrol5pQYo/s1600/agama+mwanzae+-+spiderman+lookalike+lizard+001.jpg)
Would love to have some venomous snakes at some point (I'm a big fan of Gaboon Vipers and Eyelash Vipers!) but the legal requirements over here are crazy. You have to pay a fortune just to get the certificate, and you can only get the certificate providing you have a suitable reptile room that passes venomous snake specifications. Although I suppose that stops all the 16 year olds getting Gaboon Vipers because it's "cool"...
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Pygmies are venomous enough... :)
I have been bitten more times than I can count by non venomous snakes.
I've been tagged three times by hot snakes all by the age of 13.
Once by an Albino Pygmy I caught the day before.
I was 13, it was bad enough. Spent a few days in the Hospital.
Had some tissue damage and nerve damage but most of it healed within a year.
The other two times were by Copperheads and while not good, were not nearly as bad as the Pygmy.
I still love Pygmies and Coppers... I kinda feel bonded to them now...
I am pretty much Anti Exotic or Designer Snake.
Try not to keep any for any length of time.
I'll trade them or skin them.
Hope never to be "Bonded" by a Gaboon, Cobra or Mamba... among others... ::)
-gus
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Only one recorded species that is poisonous to eat.
yep the japanesse grass snake is the only one that is poisonous. although im sure most other snakes don't taste that great, but i may be wrong. never eaten snake before...not yet anyway :P SS
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I use the term poisonous generally. Thats is the term most people say around here.
That red tail boa is amazing looking. Never seen one. Its like 2 snakes rolled into one.
Lets see some more pictures fellas.
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I'll get some pics up of my collection in a bit. The red tails are my absolute fave. You do end up paying a fortune though, just for the colour of the tail. Worth it, in my opinion!
As far as poisonous/venomous terminology goes, the general rule of thumb is, "venom is injected, poison is ingested"
Interestingly enough, a lot of venomous snakes are legal to keep as long as they're "rear fanged" which means the venom injecting teeth are towards the back of the mouth. They have to get hold and chew for a bit to inject you. Hognoses and mangrove snakes are rear ranged. Hognoses are plain ugly but I love mangroves.
I got tagged by my royal python while feeding the other day, he missed the rat and found my hand. Took ages for him to let go. Got a tooth right under my thumb nail which wasn't much fun!
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Ok Mark you asked for it. (http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq78/artlemos/1f3b20cf5ceda4bf3a9e71b3dbf72ef1.jpg) This is my jungle carpet. (http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq78/artlemos/P8270013.jpg) recently deceased albino ball. (http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq78/artlemos/P8270021.jpg) and my tangerine albino Honduran
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I'm really surprised there are so many snake people on this forum. I was expecting a lot of ,"only good snake is a dead snake" kind of stuff.
Baby racer
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/74791_10151216494049865_41996979_n.jpg)
Rough Green Snake
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/550790_10151214523874865_478544468_n.jpg)
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Only just spotted this thread. Interesting stuff, as I'm a reptile owner/breeder as well!
I'm based in the UK, and that means there are quite a few different regulations on what we can/can't keep. My current list of reps include a royal python, numerous cornsnakes, a couple of mexican black kingsnakes, a brazilian rainbow boa and two STUNNING Suriname Red Tail boas (absolutely breathtaking snakes!) along with the usual boring bearded dragons etc. Also have a couple of really rare Agama Mwanzae or "spiderman lizards" that I'm hoping to breed at some point in the future.
Here's a quick example of an average quality Suriname Red Tail Boa Constrictor:
(http://www.millerreptiles.com/Surinames/Surinames_images/DSC01045.jpg)
And one of a typical Agama Mwanzae (see why they're called Spiderman Lizards?)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pmWI4KjzFkE/Tl53B4Mv0TI/AAAAAAAABBU/yBkrol5pQYo/s1600/agama+mwanzae+-+spiderman+lookalike+lizard+001.jpg)
Would love to have some venomous snakes at some point (I'm a big fan of Gaboon Vipers and Eyelash Vipers!) but the legal requirements over here are crazy. You have to pay a fortune just to get the certificate, and you can only get the certificate providing you have a suitable reptile room that passes venomous snake specifications. Although I suppose that stops all the 16 year olds getting Gaboon Vipers because it's "cool"...
Will, move to Florida, you can probably buy any of them at a Flea market.
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South Florida has a lot of exotics you can collect... if you can catch them. Saw some similar agamas down at fairchild tropical gardens in Miami.
(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/25269_391369364864_6931719_n.jpg)
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Ah yeah, those are the Common Agamas, or Flat Headed Rock Agamas. Common as muck compared to the Mwanzae haha! Had quite a few of them, but it's the Mwanzae I'm trying to breed, as they're just that little bit more spectacular!
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Here's a Photo of my East African Carpet Python...
(http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh547/augustus1967/EastAfricanCarpetPython.jpg)
He's very friendly and doesn't nip at all... :)
-gus
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Just kidding... >:D
-gus
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That's a stunning Gabby. I love how similar their bodies are to Blood Pythons, but with those evil viper head shapes. Amazing.
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Here's a Photo of my East African Carpet Python...
(http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh547/augustus1967/EastAfricanCarpetPython.jpg)
He's very friendly and doesn't nip at all... :)
-gus
ok how many people has it eaten 5? 6?
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Here's a Photo of my East African Carpet Python...
(http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh547/augustus1967/EastAfricanCarpetPython.jpg)
He's very friendly and doesn't nip at all... :)
-gus
How the hell does that thing move? Its a python? It looks kinda like a death adder.
Jon
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Here's a Photo of my East African Carpet Python...
(http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh547/augustus1967/EastAfricanCarpetPython.jpg)
He's very friendly and doesn't nip at all... :)
-gus
i wonder how many bows it would back? SS
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It's a picture of a Gaboon Viper, not a python. It has a similar body to a blood python, but it's most definitely not a python haha.
It wouldn't back any bows, as they're tiny. Average length is about 40", with some big females getting to about 60" max. They do have the largest fangs of any venomoid though, at 2 inches long.
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It's a picture of a Gaboon Viper, not a python. It has a similar body to a blood python, but it's most definitely not a python haha.
It wouldn't back any bows, as they're tiny. Average length is about 40", with some big females getting to about 60" max. They do have the largest fangs of any venomoid though, at 2 inches long.
That's one badass ugly as f$%& snake then! Wouldn't want to tread on one fore sure.
Jon
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I have a Russian tortoise, there used to be a native species of tortoise in Texas i think its endangered now due to fire ants, but we used to see them at our ranch all the time. Always thought snakes were pretty cool but i think the tortoise is the only reptile i will have for awhile at least until he dies, which should be sometime in the next 50 years.
By the way the tortoises name is Darwin :)
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It's a Gaboon as Jon said...
Very Cool Snake.
I wouldn't kill one to back a bow.
But I'd love to give it a try with Just the right deceased Gaboon or two...
I'm thinking Short, Wide, Paddle Bow...
It would look Spectacular...
-gus