Search found 580 matches

by Jeremy Westerman
May 7th, 2013, 3:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: first crote of the year
Replies: 3
Views: 1067

Re: first crote of the year

Rancorrye wrote:Nice try Jeremy. I know that's another one of your painted replicas.
I paint well but not that well. :thumb: That critter is alive.
by Jeremy Westerman
May 5th, 2013, 9:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: first crote of the year
Replies: 3
Views: 1067

first crote of the year

After a long hike through lots of snake habitat... Ah ha! There it is https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/65667_10152512304228538_1908652892_n.jpg It tightened its coil but never moved or rattled https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/945097_10152512304348538_86158...
by Jeremy Westerman
May 5th, 2013, 11:15 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: todays trip
Replies: 4
Views: 1461

Re: todays trip

I came away thinking "too bad last week was so cold". Or, "this was a wee bit too early for flipping". Next weekend... Moisture under most of the larger rocks seemed fine - still well shy of "powder". Some were curiously dry underneath though. It feels like this year i...
by Jeremy Westerman
May 5th, 2013, 8:14 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: todays trip
Replies: 4
Views: 1461

Re: todays trip

Sounds like a fun trip guys, wish I could have made it out to herp with the gang. As it was I saw one rattlesnake and one sagebrush lizard in 7 hours of hiking and flipping likely stuff (that includes time spent in the cave though.) I will post a pic as soon as my brother gets me the pics off his ca...
by Jeremy Westerman
May 2nd, 2013, 8:03 am
Forum: News
Topic: 2 stupid snake news stories in 1 day on yahoonews quicklinks
Replies: 2
Views: 2621

Re: 2 stupid snake news stories in 1 day on yahoonews quickl

correction 3 stupid snake news stories today: snake handling Pastor dies because he refused treatment from rattlesnake bite Serpent-handling pastor profiled earlier in Washington Post dies from rattlesnake bite http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-05-29/lifestyle/35458376_1_serpent-wolford-rattle...
by Jeremy Westerman
May 2nd, 2013, 7:42 am
Forum: News
Topic: 2 stupid snake news stories in 1 day on yahoonews quicklinks
Replies: 2
Views: 2621

2 stupid snake news stories in 1 day on yahoonews quicklinks

Here is a woman who called the cops on a snake in her car incorrectly identified as a cali king (based on the pics) Scary Passenger Unwelcome passenger surprises driver Scared Woman Calls Cops On Snake http://screen.yahoo.com/scared-woman-calls-cops-snake-231011382.html Here is a story where the sna...
by Jeremy Westerman
May 2nd, 2013, 6:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Kennecott
Replies: 38
Views: 5068

Re: Herping Kennecott

My brother talked me into caving in Springville on Saturday, so any herping I do on the hike to a couple of caves will be incidental. Sorry guys.
by Jeremy Westerman
May 1st, 2013, 4:00 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: One incredible day in the desert!
Replies: 3
Views: 1369

Re: One incredible day in the desert!

Oh and I assume FORD means found on road dead (probably after being hit by a hick driving a Ford.)
Around here we use the acronym DOR or AOR: dead or alive on road.
Couple of good posts from you don't forget to introduce yourself in the roll call or give a background in the member bio thread
by Jeremy Westerman
May 1st, 2013, 3:56 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: One incredible day in the desert!
Replies: 3
Views: 1369

Re: One incredible day in the desert!

Very cool. Nothing quite like walking up your first tortoise or trying to get a pic of a wily chuck or speedy zebratail. Nice work.
by Jeremy Westerman
May 1st, 2013, 3:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Kennecott
Replies: 38
Views: 5068

Re: Herping Kennecott

Anyone else up for flipping near Goshen Canyon Saturday morning? I haven't been to Goshen Canyon in a long long while, but I recall it crawling with striped whipsnakes, Gophersnakes and longnoses. Habitat seems good to me for milks but what do I know. Across the way but still close, Santaquin Canyo...
by Jeremy Westerman
May 1st, 2013, 9:21 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Kennecott
Replies: 38
Views: 5068

Re: Herping Kennecott

I know we should try to keep good relations with them Jimi, but I do not see how the mine slide 5-10 miles away or more (depending on where we would go) would have remotely anything to do with impeding our trip at all. What the company biologist was forced to furlough? My little birdie there says th...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 30th, 2013, 12:49 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

To put our side of things in its proper context, here is the official press release for the paper that has spawned this thread. As is very apparent, we have been very careful to avoid any sensationalism regarding pythons having 'venom'. We have made it crystal clear we are talking about relics here...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 30th, 2013, 11:50 am
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

>Are pythons venomous? - no Funny to see you say that Bryan, when you started posting in this thread defending the article titled "Pythons still a little venomous" http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2013/04/05/pythons-are-still-a-little-venomous/ in Nat geo and the scientist writer w...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 30th, 2013, 9:54 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: St. George May 3-5
Replies: 7
Views: 1979

Re: St. George May 3-5

Kennicott survey on May 4 folded so this is now a viable option for anyone who still has those dates available
by Jeremy Westerman
April 30th, 2013, 9:49 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring Trip to the Dinosaur Area
Replies: 37
Views: 5957

Re: Spring Trip to the Dinosaur Area

I just realized, (better now than later) that I made a scheduling fopa(sp?) with this one in that Sunday May 12th is Mothers day so I will only be able to be out there Friday and Saturday. I'm assuming others will be in the same boat, lest they end up in the doghouse. I will likely leave first thin...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 30th, 2013, 9:43 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Kennecott
Replies: 38
Views: 5068

Re: Herping Kennecott

I took the day off of work, so if temps are even remotely good I want to go out somewhere, anywhere. Not surprised the Kennecott people flaked even though the mine slide has nothing to do with most of the enormous property they control.
by Jeremy Westerman
April 12th, 2013, 1:24 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

I understand what you are saying Thomas about educators being the interface between the public and the scientific community, and as such we have the responsiblity to teach the nuances of any given subject. However, I still think the onus is on Bryan Fry to correct the widespread misperception that h...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 11th, 2013, 4:33 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

National Geographic is a well loved and very well respected scientific and natural world oriented media outlet If you think that's the case, read some back issues from the 50s, 60s, 70s, etc. and note the relative lack of editorializing/sensationalism compared to the last two decades' articles. As ...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 11th, 2013, 8:19 am
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

The discussion is getting very good with excellent points on both sides, however I feel that TNWJackson is trying to shift the issue from the focal point to a broader point. Snakemanaustralia brought the focus back to the front with a humorous and cynical post. The broader issues with venomous anima...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 10th, 2013, 8:28 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: What happened to the better days of Animal Planet?
Replies: 8
Views: 3639

Re: What happened to the better days of Animal Planet?

I lament the same about Animal Planet and also avoid the History channel for the same reason. The misinformation and inaccuracies they have are rampant, and their programming is aimed at the lowest intellects it seems.
by Jeremy Westerman
April 10th, 2013, 8:20 am
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

As for these papers: [Yi H-Y, Norrell MA. (2013) New materials of Estesia mongoliensis (Squamata:Anguimorpha) and the evolution of venom grooves in lizards. American Museum Novitiates 3767:1-31 ] First, in their discussion of relative tooth serration to previous studies on Varanus komodoensis and V...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 10th, 2013, 8:07 am
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

I find it somewhat amusing that this entire discussion has been sparked off by an article discussing a paper which does not in fact state that pythons are venomous . As is abundantly clear if you read the paper, it is an investigation of the relictual and/or incipient venom systems of certain toxic...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 9th, 2013, 10:06 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

There are, for example, many species of elapid snakes in Australia that are completely harmless to humans. So are they technically venomous or practically venomous? If I say to a snake specialist: "I see an elapid snake should I pick it up?" That is not enough information to acurately ass...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 9th, 2013, 9:54 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

I restate my definition that venom has a measurable effect on the organisms it is used against, regardless of whether bit, sprayed, stabbed, etc. Venom must have potency to be effectual. If some venom components are there or architecture or apparatus that supports venom production in part or whole b...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 9th, 2013, 9:41 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

Venomdoc, I will get to all of your reference links when I can to further understand your point of view, but I feel that you are not willing to take apart the complexity for some reason. It is as if you are saying its too hard to precisely define so I give up they are all venomous. Perhaps we do nee...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 9th, 2013, 9:18 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

The whole point of the suggestion is to stop people from mistakenly fearing harmless animals based on your work, so substitution for the fearsome words "venom" and "venomous" (not merely qualification of them, e.g. "incipient venom," "vestigial venom") in dis...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 9th, 2013, 8:52 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

The very first question I get asked in any animal presentation that involves a snake is: Is it venomous? (actually they use the word poisonous most of the time but you get my point.) No is the simple answer when it comes down to pythons and most age groups. Although technically venom traces might be...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 9th, 2013, 8:04 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

a personal attack to me is you have a big nose or whatever. I am not trying to attack you personally just express my dismay at the huge public misperception that you inadvertently cause. I hope you wouldn't do such a thing purposefully. You may not see any need for new terms but then we wouldn't be ...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 9th, 2013, 8:00 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

So you are blaming me for things that are quite out of my control when I have done all I can to get the point about the lack of medical danger but at the same time, staying true to the biological reality. I don't think you have done all that you can to alleviate potential error and misunderstanding...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 9th, 2013, 7:48 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

Venom doc, I understand that you probably presented the scientifc material in a professional manner and that you probably didn't see the finished article before Ed Yong the author published it and had no way to edit content, but it certainly seems to me that he tried to spin it sensationally to grab...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 9th, 2013, 7:32 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

> Simple explicit clarification.... You mean explicit clarification such as that I provided for the Nat Geo page "From the perpective of a python biting, it [venom] for all practical purposes, does not exist since their venom production is a relic much like our appendix." Yes exactly, whi...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 9th, 2013, 7:25 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

Smells like a duck, sounds like a duck, looks like a duck... why would anyone call it something else? Why invent other terms to confuse and muddle an already complicated field. Do you really feel that pythons or iguanas or monitors should be categorized with cobras, kraits, mambas, rattlesnakes, vi...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 9th, 2013, 1:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: SoCal trip
Replies: 1
Views: 538

Re: SoCal trip

nice finds dude.
by Jeremy Westerman
April 9th, 2013, 12:29 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

I know you were mainly replying to Jeremy's posts, but with respect to whatever might have been aimed my way, I stand by what I said. Your work in this area has offered you a chance to adopt some new terminology designed specifically to ensure that your research elucidates rather than confuses, to ...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 9th, 2013, 11:54 am
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

>I believe he enjoys the notoriety and actively promotes or misinforms otherwise his research would be obscure and not widely known in the public. Nice attempt at slander dude. Smacks a bit of jealousy me thinks. No not really just my opinion. But it strikes to my point about definitions: you actua...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 9th, 2013, 9:23 am
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

To the OP, do you expect a scientist to NOT continue with discovery because of how it implicates the public? On this forum we have hundreds of people recording locality data on herps. Should we not inconvenience the developers should we find an animal on the Endangered Species List? This analogy on...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 9th, 2013, 8:59 am
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

As is clear from my statements both in the papers themselves and in the popular media, I am in no way scare-mongering and have quite the contrary gone to great lengths to make things clear in regards to relative danger. Something that should have been readily apparent. Instead you are putting words...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 9th, 2013, 8:30 am
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

Venomdoc, you still don't get it do you? Your work is interesting (and as scientific research, valuable) but because of your blanket use of terminology it has a decidedly negative affect on the public perception. On Facebook the herp community spreads information like wildfire (which is mostly a goo...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 6th, 2013, 6:18 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: sheltopusik - european legless lizard
Replies: 12
Views: 5890

Re: sheltopusik - european legless lizard

If you watch the Indiana Jones movie Raiders of the Lost Ark, the snake chamber scene is actually mostly this species (easily recognized) with a few pythons and cobras thrown in for the close shots. So they must breed them in huge quantities somewhere.
by Jeremy Westerman
April 6th, 2013, 6:16 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: sheltopusik - european legless lizard
Replies: 12
Views: 5890

Re: sheltopusik - european legless lizard

we have one at my work he is a gnarly little dude. I am hoping your request for info brings in something for me to learn as well.
by Jeremy Westerman
April 6th, 2013, 5:48 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Re: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python ven

Here is the reply comment Bryan Fry left at Nat Geo: " Something we have gone to great pains to stress at every opportunity is that venomous and dangerous are not interchangeable. The vast majority of ‘rear-fanged’ snakes are totally harmless from a human medical perspective due to very small a...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 6th, 2013, 5:37 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?
Replies: 88
Views: 40744

Anyone see the National Geographic article on Python venom?

http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2013/04/05/pythons-are-still-a-little-venomous/ Yup Bryan Fry is at it again, he won't be happy until we in the professional animal community have to completely disuse the word venom. His use of the term is causing it to lose all meaning. His list of venomous ...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 5th, 2013, 10:26 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Kennecott
Replies: 38
Views: 5068

Re: Herping Kennecott

PM sent Jimi. Josh, that north side by the lake gets visited infrequently by rockclimbers who poach onto Kennicott land, there are even bolted routes on those slabs and descriptions for them. Archaeology students are up there from time to time to visit the "caves" several important early n...
by Jeremy Westerman
April 3rd, 2013, 8:34 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Toads
Replies: 3
Views: 849

Re: Toads

awesome lucky observation. Never thought of that. how close was the nearest suitable habitat or are they suburban toads?
by Jeremy Westerman
April 3rd, 2013, 8:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: So. Utah Herps
Replies: 3
Views: 995

Re: So. Utah Herps

excellent. keep them coming
by Jeremy Westerman
April 3rd, 2013, 8:30 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Kennecott
Replies: 38
Views: 5068

Re: Herping Kennecott

I will make May 4th work, and I have some ideas where to look on the east facing side, not too sure about the rest.
by Jeremy Westerman
April 3rd, 2013, 8:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Some pics of recent outing in S. Utah
Replies: 16
Views: 3039

Re: Some pics of recent outing in S. Utah

Not sure what I envy more, your ownership and skill using that nice camera, or your apparent field craft. Your beautiful photos never fail to awe me and make my own contributions seem meager.
by Jeremy Westerman
March 27th, 2013, 11:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First Herp Down
Replies: 10
Views: 1922

Re: First Herp Down

I hit the foothills on Monday up to the snow line and didn't see a thing moving temps mid sixties.
by Jeremy Westerman
March 23rd, 2013, 7:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Kennecott
Replies: 38
Views: 5068

Re: Herping Kennecott

I am interested in this for sure