Search found 41 matches

by luv_the_smellof_musk
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
by luv_the_smellof_musk
April 9th, 2015, 9:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Handling Wild Herps Poll
Replies: 66
Views: 26014

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...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
October 28th, 2014, 6:02 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: International Herping
Replies: 10
Views: 3822

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 ...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
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...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
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.
by luv_the_smellof_musk
September 10th, 2014, 4:37 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Chameleon exploration
Replies: 28
Views: 8932

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...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
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?
by luv_the_smellof_musk
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...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
August 3rd, 2014, 5:20 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Replies: 135
Views: 36577

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.
by luv_the_smellof_musk
August 2nd, 2014, 1:40 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The thrill of the hunt, or the prize at the end?
Replies: 23
Views: 8218

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 ...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
August 1st, 2014, 3:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535014

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...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
August 1st, 2014, 3:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Replies: 135
Views: 36577

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...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
July 30th, 2014, 5:16 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535014

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...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
July 30th, 2014, 5:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Replies: 135
Views: 36577

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?
by luv_the_smellof_musk
July 28th, 2014, 8:43 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Replies: 135
Views: 36577

Re: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.

it made me laugh uncontrollably
by luv_the_smellof_musk
July 28th, 2014, 8:42 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535014

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?
by luv_the_smellof_musk
July 28th, 2014, 3:47 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Replies: 135
Views: 36577

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...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
July 20th, 2014, 4:54 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Giant boa "terrorizing" NJ lake...
Replies: 24
Views: 14773

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.
by luv_the_smellof_musk
July 20th, 2014, 4:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Replies: 135
Views: 36577

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!
by luv_the_smellof_musk
July 20th, 2014, 8:13 am
Forum: News
Topic: Giant boa "terrorizing" NJ lake...
Replies: 24
Views: 14773

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.
by luv_the_smellof_musk
July 12th, 2014, 12:04 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Opportunistic Caribbean Cruise Herping
Replies: 12
Views: 6078

Re: Opportunistic Caribbean Cruise Herping

Say Whaaaat? no snakes? Just kidding!
by luv_the_smellof_musk
July 12th, 2014, 12:01 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Color and Pattern Variations in Eastern Garter Snakes
Replies: 43
Views: 24666

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
by luv_the_smellof_musk
July 12th, 2014, 11:58 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Pattern variant C. oreganus
Replies: 22
Views: 9710

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?
by luv_the_smellof_musk
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 =)
by luv_the_smellof_musk
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...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
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...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
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...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
February 14th, 2014, 5:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A big Burmese python in Everglades National Park.
Replies: 77
Views: 27937

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 ...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
February 12th, 2014, 5:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A big Burmese python in Everglades National Park.
Replies: 77
Views: 27937

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...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
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...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
January 30th, 2014, 3:22 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thank You, Dr. Bruce Means!
Replies: 7
Views: 2966

Re: Thank You, Dr. Bruce Means!

What if the decline is unrelated to the roundup?
by luv_the_smellof_musk
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....
by luv_the_smellof_musk
January 18th, 2014, 1:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Rattlesnake Armor!
Replies: 40
Views: 17033

Re: Rattlesnake Armor!

best thread of 2014
by luv_the_smellof_musk
January 18th, 2014, 1:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Which Exotic Species are Really Scary?
Replies: 30
Views: 13860

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...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
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.
by luv_the_smellof_musk
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 ...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
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 ...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
March 15th, 2013, 6:12 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Success! Florida Python Bio-Blitz
Replies: 57
Views: 18203

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.
by luv_the_smellof_musk
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...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
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 ...
by luv_the_smellof_musk
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...