Herps in the media

[ConcinusMan]

They are the same thing. Just 2 different names for the same snake.;)

[jwolfe152]

oh ok...smartass:p

[ConcinusMan]

I've always known them by the names I gave and I always called them whip snakes but also I was aware many people in CA call them striped racers. Also, I'm pretty sure the Latin name you gave is new. There's a lot of recent and still in progress, renaming and classification of animals going on due to widespread genetic sampling. Gives scientists a much clearer picture of species' true relationships instead of using unreliable and arbitrary visually perceived physical similarities and differences.

[guidofatherof5]

BBC News - Germans hunt turtle after attack on boy (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23664554)

all for a single turtle, lets just hope they dont find a mating pair

Sorry to hear someone was hurt but I'm rooting for Lotti. I'm a bit bias when it comes to snapping turtles.
I only hope if Lotti is found it won't be killed.

[jwolfe152]

I've always known them by the names I gave and I always called them whip snakes but also I was aware many people in CA call them striped racers. Also, I'm pretty sure the Latin name you gave is new. There's a lot of recent and still in progress, renaming and classification of animals going on due to widespread genetic sampling. Gives scientists a much clearer picture of species' true relationships instead of using unreliable and arbitrary visually perceived physical similarities and differences.

i didnt realise that there was that many name changes going on or that much genetic testing going on, seems like a lot of new names will be coming up. lets just hope we dont have to start using some of the name changes to Thamnophis ​that have been suggested by some aussie lol

[ConcinusMan]

I only hope if Lotti is found it won't be killed.


Not holding my breath..


lets just hope we dont have to start using some of the name changes to Thamnophis ​that have been suggested by some aussie lol

* see above response *

Thamnophis has been widely sampled and there's little to no change thank goodness.

[guidofatherof5]

i didnt realise that there was that many name changes going on or that much genetic testing going on, seems like a lot of new names will be coming up. lets just hope we dont have to start using some of the name changes to Thamnophis ​that have been suggested by some aussie lol

I see you've been reading the Hoser thread.:D

[Stefan-A]

Thamnophis has been widely sampled and there's little to no change thank goodness.
No shortage of sampling, but nobody seems to have given the data much of a context. Changes will be made. Big ones. Species will be lost and gained, distribution maps will be redrawn.

I'm just waiting for them to sort out T. elegans. That should be interesting, to say the least.
http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakes2013/elegans_mess.jpg

[jwolfe152]

I see you've been reading the Hoser thread.:D

i read it some time ago and just remember the ridiculous naming after him and there being no peer reviews or proof of his claims lol

[ConcinusMan]

No shortage of sampling, but nobody seems to have given the data much of a context. Changes will be made. Big ones. Species will be lost and gained, distribution maps will be redrawn.

I'm just waiting for them to sort out T. elegans. That should be interesting, to say the least.
http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakes2013/elegans_mess.jpg

I hope they don't neglect to compare the Willamette valley morph T. e. elegans with Mt. garters from other areas and with wanderings.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

BBC News - Python bites woman on way to takeaway in Dyfatty, Swansea (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-24013578)

[guidofatherof5]

Glad the snake wasn't killed.

[ConcinusMan]

You might have misread. I think the one that bit her is still loose.

[guidofatherof5]

You might have misread. I think the one that bit her is still loose.

A South Wales Police spokesman confirmed they had received a report of a pet python going missing from a home in Swansea.

But he said the reptile was discovered in a pipe at the owner's property and was safely back in its box.

I guess I figured this was the offending snake.

[chris-uk]

A South Wales Police spokesman confirmed they had received a report of a pet python going missing from a home in Swansea.

But he said the reptile was discovered in a pipe at the owner's property and was safely back in its box.

I guess I figured this was the offending snake.

I'd agree, there's unlikely to be two pythons of that size loose in a small area.


BBC News - Python bites woman on way to takeaway in Dyfatty, Swansea (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-24013578)

On the whole I read a lot of sensationalised bull in the article. Look at the puncture wounds in the photos, one of the tooth marks looks quite deep, but all the rubbish about stemming the bleeding, face swelling up, shaking and the leg turning black... if her leg had turned black there would be visible bruising in the photo. As for the rest of the symptoms - hysteria.

[Mommy2many]

I'm surprised her leg hasn't fallen off yet...

[-MARWOLAETH-]

I'd agree, there's unlikely to be two pythons of that size loose in a small area.



On the whole I read a lot of sensationalised bull in the article. Look at the puncture wounds in the photos, one of the tooth marks looks quite deep, but all the rubbish about stemming the bleeding, face swelling up, shaking and the leg turning black... if her leg had turned black there would be visible bruising in the photo. As for the rest of the symptoms - hysteria.
They have to go over the top on 'stories' because sod all happens in Wales

[chris-uk]

They have to go over the top on 'stories' because sod all happens in Wales

So they turn "Drunk chav walks into a strand of barbed wire" into "Terrified woman bites by escaped basilisk and is lucky to be alive".
The media aren't stupid, but you have to question the hospital doctors and the advice they were given that identified that as a python bite.

[ConcinusMan]

I'd agree, there's unlikely to be two pythons of that size loose in a small area.

I suppose but the owner the reported lose python said it didn't go far and was found in pipe on his property. Not sure if this was before or after the woman was bit. Terrible reporting I know that much. leaves more questions than answers.

[Invisible Snake]

2 headed adder caught on camera!
Rare two headed adder caught on camera in UK -- Earth Changes -- Sott.net (http://www.sott.net/article/266930-Rare-two-headed-adder-caught-on-camera-in-UK)

[guidofatherof5]

Very cool. Thanks for the link.

[EKS56]

Hummm...

More than 100 snakes removed from home - Video on NBCNews.com (http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nbc-news/53283821/#53283821)

[ConcinusMan]

wow did you see that?!!

That reporter is hot :D

http://newsasylum.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/troll-devil-l.png

[EKS56]

I have a question.
I have been watching the "Snake Salvation" documentary on National Geographic. With out passing judgement on the people involved. Someone tell me why the handlers don't get bitten on a regular basis. What is going on that limits the bites? It seems to me that they would get bit every time they pick one up?

[Selkielass]

Are Humans Hardwired to Detect Snakes? (http://io9.com/are-humans-hardwired-to-detect-snakes-1453865235)

[ConcinusMan]

What is going on that limits the bites? It seems to me that they would get bit every time they pick one up?

It's pretty simple really. They don't take care of the snakes. If you look closely at their favorite ones to use, they are in a terribly weakened state, unhealthy and cold. Half of them probably couldn't bite if they wanted to. Theyre too weak and cold. I contacted them actually. They have concerns about collecting to replace the ones they've killed but have no interest in actually taking care of the snakes so they won't have to be replaced, which is what I suggested. They prefer them weak, cold, and one foot in the grave, so to speak. Those snakes simply can't fight back. They starve and neglect the fight right out of them. I was watching one of their favorites named "big momma" and she can't even hold her head up, let alone strike. She's too damned weak.

[guidofatherof5]

Very interesting.

Titanoboa: Monster Snake | Smithsonian Channel (http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/sc/web/show/140671/titanoboa-monster-snake)

[chris-uk]

Very interesting.

Titanoboa: Monster Snake | Smithsonian Channel (http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/sc/web/show/140671/titanoboa-monster-snake)

Saw this on one of our documentary channels, it's interesting stuff. Is it the one where they produced a life sized model?

[guidofatherof5]

Yes it is.

[chris-uk]

BBC News - Secrets of flying snakes revealed (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25943693)

Interesting.

[ConcinusMan]

I have flying snakes. Mussurana's after dark. Open their enclosure after dark and they launch out like they're spring-loaded. And mean/irritable. By day they are mild-mannered, calm, sociable, predictable, and very handleable even though they're "warm herps" (venomous). but oh man, don't mess with them after sundown. They're the complete polar opposite especially when they're hungry. Their ability to detect a pinky mouse from across a room is uncanny and their feeding response is downright scary and violent. After dark that is. Lazy, calm, tame, and not the slightest bit interested in food by day. But after sundown, they will fly at your face and literally rip pinkies to pieces.

[infernalis]

Here is a screen cap of a really old children's TV show, the opening has a bunch of "scary" creatures.... :D


http://www.varanid.us/fun/dynagirl.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqB36FsglEE

[ConcinusMan]

Two new US turtle species described | Science Codex (http://www.sciencecodex.com/two_new_us_turtle_species_described-132355)

[guidofatherof5]

Two new US turtle species described | Science Codex (http://www.sciencecodex.com/two_new_us_turtle_species_described-132355)

That should upset the old taxonomy lists. 3 distinct species of alligator snapping turtles.

[ConcinusMan]

Same thing happened when they tested the so called "mexicana subspecies" of king snakes. They were considered just different localities/morphs/ssp of the same species. Turns out none of them are subspecies of L. mexicana. Turns out that each subspecies is a full species, each evolved independent of one another, isolated from one another for more than 6 million years. Then there's L. pyromelana knoblochi. come to find out, they aren't L. pyromelana, but are a full species that diverged from L. zonata and L pyromelana's common ancestor more than 2 million years ago. that group has always caused confusion and controversy but DNA testing cleared up that confusion real quick.

Testing different populations of gray banded kings - Lampropeltis alterna, hasn't been completed because of the cartel violence south of the border. They never got to complete the work, but it is suspected that what is considered L. alterna localities or morphs is actually more than one species. It's also suspected that many more species of king snakes in mexico have yet to be discovered due to remoteness of their small ranges, and difficulty in accessing the remote mountainous terrain and lack of roads.

They suspect that the population of L. zonata up here in WA isn't separated from california's populations (their DNA matches n. CA populations indicating recent gene flow between them) but if u look at a map they don't show them continuous from CA to WA. That's because where they might occur in the Oregon Cascades it's just too difficult and dangerous to survey. You saw that terrain they live in I showed you in WA. Steep, rocky, and difficult to traverse. Much of their potential habitat in oregon is all but impossible to access by anything but helicopter and even then, there's only a small seasonal window when it's reasonably safe to be up there. Who knows what else is up in those cascades waiting to be discovered. Bigfoot perhaps? :p

[jwolfe152]

Toddler bitten 3 times by rattlesnake in California | Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/science/2014/05/05/toddler-bitten-3-times-by-rattlesnake-in-california/)

[guidofatherof5]

Toddler bitten 3 times by rattlesnake in California | Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/science/2014/05/05/toddler-bitten-3-times-by-rattlesnake-in-california/)

Glad the little one is going to recover. Looks like the snake was lower on venom or just giving warning bites.

[ConcinusMan]

That would most likely be Crotalis ruber. In spite of them living in close proximity to people densely populated areas bites are pretty rare. They are quite shy and will flee given the chance, rather than stand their ground like other rattlers often do. It's really hard to get them to bite, let alone use venom in defense. He must have stepped on it and remained on it to get bit that much, those rattlers are quite docile. Even when cornered and teased they usually bluff strike and if they do tag you it's usually a dry bite.

[chris-uk]

Video: Inside the Narcisse snake pits (http://www.macleans.ca/multimedia/video/snakes-on-the-plains-inside-the-narcisse-snake-pits/)

A bit about the Narcisse snake dens.

[guidofatherof5]

Makes me want to go back up there. I would like to spend a couple weeks there this time. None of this day and a half stuff.

[guidofatherof5]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0CDRrqGWsM

[guidofatherof5]

Tank is now on the web. Hope you enjoy.

tanktheturtle.com

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks Reptile Report for posting this link.

Garter Confusion | The Reptile Report (http://thereptilereport.com/garter-confusion/)

[guidofatherof5]

Embarrassed Snake Can (http://www.theonion.com/article/embarrassed-snake-cant-believe-documentary-crew-ca-50649)

[Albert Clark]

Thank you Steve! Great read.