Just another snake thread...

[DC_Targa]

Yup, this is happening a bit too often. It seems that the grading they have been doing a bit west of us has made a few critters head east.

I was coming back up from my workshop Friday after an hour or so of work on my latest little project. I set my project down on top the rabbit hutch that is next to the side door of my garage, so I could unlock the door. I looked down and saw a pretty-colored snake coiled up a couple of feet from the door. Since it was coiled, all the colors kinda overlapped ,making it hard to tell its head from its tail. The markings looked similar to that of one of the local gopher snakes. So I decided to grab an empty trash can and proceeded to pick it up to put in the can. Hey, I'm not that stupid, I did use a stick! The snake was pretty sluggish but I eventually got the stick under it. As I started to lift it up, it became apparent what species of snake it was. That distinctive head... Of course when it started to rattle that became a REAL positive clue! I put it in the can and went in to get my wife, along with a few internet pictures to identify the specific type. Why? Well I have heard that if you get bitten it is best to be able to tell the paramedics the specific type so they will know the best anti-venom. OK, it was stupid to try and convince her to come out for a look. But I used the 'cat ploy'. You know, "Honey, you have to be able to identify these things in case one of the cats happens to get bitten". Well, she at finally did take a quick look.

It was a fairly young snake, barely over a foot long. It only had 3 rattles. From the pictures, it became apparent it was a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake. The colors were very close to that of a gopher snake, but the shape of the markings is a little different. Like I mentioned in a past snake post, I hate to mess with mother nature. But, I do draw the line when it comes to rattlesnakes. Steve Erwin would say "what a lovely little snake". I prefer to just 'say' WACK. So after making sure it would never bite anyone, I took it down to the lower part of my property to be 'recycled'. With the hawks, falcons and turkey vultures that fly by on occasion, I figure a free lunch is only fair.

At least my cat didn't bite me this time!

DC_Targa

PS: I must admit, I have been tempted... I've never seen a Porsche with a rattlesnake hide gear shift knob cover. So far I have resisted temptation.

[AccadaccA]

You know it is far worse to find such a youngin. Now you need to ask where's it's parents and siblings? :look:

Besides Steve Irwin we have Rex Huint the (ex footballer) fisherman who catches fish (no matter what type or size) then gives 'em a kiss as he releases them.

I take it you didn't kiss the rattler goodbye?

[Dylan]

good on ya Targa, I wouldnt listen to Steve Erwin either, i've only seen that show once, but he was hanging off the side of a Ute trying to capture a camel (or somthing) and got hit in the head with a tree^_^ what a looser

[DC_Geezr]

Hey Dennis! Do they have a "Wacking Day " in San Diego too??^_^ (Thinking of that Simpson's episode)

Is Steve Erwin that Croc Hunter twit?I wish some big lizard would bite him in the family jewels!:eek: )=)

Ric;)

[AccadaccA]

Originally posted by Dylan
I wouldnt listen to Steve Erwin either,...^_^ what a looser At 16.8 milliion AUS$ for 12 months I wouldn't mind being the Steve Irwin kind of "loser".

Gawd, what would that make Billy Gates?


We saw something on Animal Planet or National Geography yesterday afternoon where some guy was catching sea-snakes inland and releasing them into the ocean. I forget how many he actually caught (around 40 odd I think) but he held them by the armsfull and they were crawling over each other to get out of his brace and falling to the ground so he'd grab it again and drop another one or two. Never giving thought to the many snake heads hanging at his groin height. I know I was swirming in my puter seat as I watched on. He then shoved them all into a big esky where two or three at a time were crawling out as he was putting others back in and he thought to take a string of grass out of the esky which allowed a few more attempted escapes. Then he took 'em to the beach where he grabbed them (in their masses) and lowered them into the water.

By the way he was so laid-back they mustn't have been venomous but shite, they'd still give ya puncture marks where you definately wouldn't want 'em. :look:

[DC_Targa]

For 16.8 million I would let the snake bite me (as long as the paramedics were close by with the anti-venom). But I would NOT let them bite me in the groin! LOL

DC_Targa

[Domagoj]

Well, you gotta respect those guys tho...after all Steve Irwin is basically a martial arts grandmaster to have the feel he does with some of the most dangerous animals in existence...and the 16.8 million...well I guarantee you that has nothing to do with his little hobby - the only reason he's making big dough these days is because he's turned his program into a kid's show, it looks like Animal Planet or something (with a kick - to say the least)...plus he's a perfect kid's show host...

...and yes he is a bit goonish, my friends and I always comment on how he looks and acts like a 4 year old, but then again if you study Jackie Chan, you see the same toddler trapped in an adult's body...

...I guess you could say letting the child within take over full-time is the key to greatness, but also the key to looking like a doofus in most people's eyes...

[D_Man]

LOL - more snake stories :)

Like I've said before, I have dozens of them from growing up in a small country town and spending most of my time charging around in the scrub :D

I find Steve Irwin's antics a trifle annoying, but he is very serious about conservation and puts his money where his principles are -^

Dave

[AccadaccA]

The funny thing is that it's not a put-on. He is like that all of the time no matter what he is talking about. I saw him on a nightshow called "The Panel" where he was just as excited talking about everyday stuff. The regular panel members couldn't stop laughing at how excited he was in person (away from his show). He'd make a peanut butter sandwich sound better than a three course meal cooked by the worlds greatest chefs.

I used to think "what a wacka" when all I had seen of him were commercials of his show but now I find his expressions amusing funny and his bravery (or stupidity) second to none.
Totally with you on this Domagoj although I had never thought of him in that light before. The guy definately knows his shite... come to think of it he knows every animal's shite on sight. ^_^

Dave has also nailed it well . Steve Irwin put almost all of that 16.8 mill into preserving wildlife. :hat:-^ Knowing things like that is still happening these days makes be proud to be an Aussie.