Snake discussion......

Just saved this smoothie from certain death.

 

Black Rat’s defense mechanism is to kink up and lay still. Bad idea on a roadway.

 

I bought him from a pet store right before they banned them.

 

I can always get one shipped here but $$$

 

And he musked me.

 

Poor critter. Good on you.

 

Little Brown Skinks

 

These were fighting over leaf territory.
Top one is probably gravid.

 

This Eastern Kingsnake came from where the new Commander’s stadium is being built.

 

Jumped on a Racer today but missed’em. I saw him twice he was all warmed up right next to the grill.

 

This made my day. Missing a back foot and some tail.

 

SR5 Reptile Rescue.

 

I should have ate it.

 

My daughter letting her snake, Cleo, get some outside time.

 

I think mines pregnant.

 

Double het vanishing albino anrythristic hypomelanistic pearl hybino?

 

Sad to say this California King did not survive. I asked the grounds keeper to please not kill these snakes, but it may have got lost in the translation.

 

Same here, sept' we called them "two or mores". 2 puffs of a smoke or 2 steps.

 

I love snakes! Had a Gopher Snake for almost 13 years as a kid. Watched it triple in size. Sadly, 6 months after I gave it to another family, it died.

If I see a snake (or any reptile) I try to catch it. I am way more cautious nowadays than as a kid. Don't want to jump to handle any rattlers! And despite what all the nature films say, rattlesnakes don't always give warning. Grew up camping with them all over. The younger ones are less likely to warn and inject way more venom.

 

I have always been skeptical about younger ones injecting “more potent” venom. I know they have smaller glands. But, a girl got bit at a restaurant and it was small. She was in so much pain they did a spinal surgery and now she looks like Frankenstein. Was it the antivenom? England produces the antivenom and charges over a hundred grand for a vile and it has to be fresh.

 

The resturant was like “ya we will give you a hundred grand” lol
She is suing for like 23 million!

 

When I was in the Corps, and got stationed in Yuma (blech!!), when I'd go out 4 wheeling in my Chevy Luv, I'd try to catch the rattlers I saw. Tease them with my left hand, and when they'd strike, grab them with the right. Except once.
I stopped and stepped off the road a ways to "water a bush". Just after I got started I heard a rattle go off. From the bush. Me and the snake each went our own ways, with great rapidity. The last thing I wanted was to get bit "there"! I don't know about the poor snake (lousy way to start his day, indeed), but it took me 30 minutes or so to settle down...

It's not that the babies inject a more potent venom, per se. They "panic strike" if they strike, and inject all their venom at once. At least all they have in their venom glands at the time. It's an experience thing. The adults have learned how much venom they need to inject to accomplish a desired result, and it's usually much less. They also have learned to save as much venom on board as possible, in case more strikes are required. Again, experience.

I caught a baby out at the Aerostat site I worked at one night. He settled into my palm quite comfortably. When I tried to put him out through the fence, though, he started rattling like a Briggs & Stratton engine in a runaway. Apparently a VERY unhappy little snake. He didn't bite, or even strike at me, but he sure sounded upset. He crawled out through the desert, still rattling like mad for a few minutes. At least I knew where he was!
Springtime was always big for baby snakes migrating to fresh feeding grounds. We would usually help them along with a shovel. Much safer.

Have fun, all!
Pat☺

 

It's been my experience in Western Maryland that pregnant Timber Rattlers don't rattle. I've had a couple close calls with the silent ones!

 

I’ve never came across a venomous snake. I think the Black Racers eat them all? I would say Kingsnake but they are so rare.

 

This guy set up shop in my downspout. We Call him Tater, for couch potato, as he was to lazy to dig his own home.

 

When I lived in Yuma, Az., there were Colorado River toads all over my property. My cat would go out in the evening, and lick the toads. He'd come back in about midnight stoned out of his mind. He was a lot of fun when he was wasted...

Have fun, all!
Pat☺

 

Ya I tried that camping once. Didn’t do a thing though I climbed a tree.

 

Was the tree still there in the morning, or did the gnomes come in the night and steal it?

 

What?lol
Are you on narcotics?

 

No, but those toads are hallucinogenic. I figured that if you had licked a toad, then climbed a tree, it may not have really been there.

Or did I misunderstand when you said "I did that..."?
Pat☺