The Learning Zone

[gregmonsta]

:rolleyes: found this while cruising http://www.schlangenauge.ch/concinus.pdf it has an interestingly pale concinnus and it's a well detailed autopsy (which is graphic so be warned!!!). N e way ... thought I'd share :)

[mtolypetsupply]

Great link! Thanks!

[drache]

thanks so much, Greg
those are wonderfully clear and well organized autopsy photos

[Elliot]

Very interesting. :)

[guidofatherof5]

Greg,

Thank you so much for that link. I have a post to come in the near future and this will help.

[ssssnakeluvr]

wow....good photos, very interesting!!!!

[Hornets23]

Thanks greg...really cool.

[Snaky]

For a second I though something happened to your concinnus... Luckily this is not the case.

Interesting autopsy.:)

[Gijs & Sabine]

For a second I though something happened to your concinnus... Luckily this is not the case.
Poor Hans, it almost causes you a heart attack :D

Very interesting link, Greg, thanks for sharing.

[NikkiSixx]

Well, that was pretty cool!:D

[gregmonsta]

For a second I though something happened to your concinnus... Luckily this is not the case.

Interesting autopsy.:)

You're telling me ;) ... they're fit and healthy :D and I've been making sure I don't open the autopsy file when they're looking :rolleyes:.
Think it's a really interesting coloured specimen though ... I found an interesting paper on DNA counts on all of the 'red-sided' west coast species. I'm finding concinnus more and more interesting. They are in majority for quite a huge range and there are massive amounts if intergrading with parietalis, infernalis, pickeringi and fitchi. The paper was bogged down with heavy study language but had some interesting end results. Going by the pictures several snakes that I would have said were fitchi, parietalis or pickeringi turned out to be concinnus from their DNA!! Ain't that something !?! ... I'm off to find the link ;)

[gregmonsta]

http://www.faculty.virginia.edu/brodie/edb3pdfs/Janzen%20et%20al%20ME%202002.pdf :)

[gregmonsta]

Love the blue head on this one http://www.californiaherps.com/noncal/northwest/nwsnakes/images/tsconcinnussr05head.jpg

from

Thamnophis sirtalis concinnus - Red-spotted Gartersnake (http://www.californiaherps.com/noncal/northwest/nwsnakes/pages/t.s.concinnus.html)

[ssssnakeluvr]

http://www.faculty.virginia.edu/brodie/edb3pdfs/Janzen%20et%20al%20ME%202002.pdf :)
very interesting article....will read more thoroughly later!!

[Stefan-A]

It's a shame I didn't have a digital camera in the bad old days. There would have been a lot of snake obduction (autopsy, necropsy, whatever other synonym there is) photos to post.

[reptile3]

whoa that was sooo interesting... thank you Greg for posting this.

[gregmonsta]

More autopsies including an interesting ... seemingly tumerous garter

Heidi's Homepage (http://www.schlangenauge.ch/Sektionen.htm)

[gregmonsta]

The Male Red-sided Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis):

Reproductive Pattern and Behavior

http://dels.nas.edu/ilar_n/ilarjournal/45_1/pdfs/v4501krohmer.pdf

[gregmonsta]

The energetic consequences of dietary specialization in populations of the garter
snake, Thamnophis elegans

http://compphys.bio.uci.edu/bennett/pubs/169.pdf

[gregmonsta]

Multiple paternity in the western terrestrial garter
snake, Thamnophis elegans

http://www.zoo.cam.ac.uk/ioz/people/Publications/2005%20Can%20J%20Zool%2083_656-663.pdf

[gregmonsta]

Garter Snake Distributions in High-Elevation Aquatic Ecosystems: Is
There a Link with Declining Amphibian Populations and Nonnative
Trout Introductions?

http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/programs/snrc/aquatic/pdf/hpet-36-1-16.pdf

[gregmonsta]

Scaling the heights:thermally driven arboreality
in garter snakes

http://www.bio.usyd.edu.au/Shinelab/old%20labbers/mikew/9scalingheights.pdf

[gregmonsta]

Gene flow and melanism in garter snakes revisited: a
comparison of molecular markers and island vs.
coalescent models

http://www.cnah.org/pdf_files/13.pdf

[gregmonsta]

BEHAVIOURAL VARIATION

IN NATURAL POPULATIONS.

III:

ANTIPREDATOR DISPLAYS


IN THE GARTER SNAKE
THAMNOPHIS RADIX

http://compphys.bio.uci.edu/bennett/pubs/60.pdf

[gregmonsta]

INFLUENCES OF HIBERNACULUM MICROENVIRONMENT ON THE WINTER
LIFE HISTORY OF THE GARTER SNAKE (THAMN0PH1S SIRTALIS)1

https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/1811/23162/1/V086N5_199.pdf

[gregmonsta]

MORPHOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR OF THE PLAINS GARTER SNAKE,
THAMNOPHIS RADIX

http://www.bios.niu.edu/rking/lab/Pubs/Clineabstract.pdf

[gregmonsta]

Ahem ... I'll calm down for now :D lots of lovely free ready stuff ...

[Stefan-A]

You can also edit your posts, Greg. No need to make a new post every time. ;)

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks, Greg. My laser printer needs to cool down, now.:cool:

[olive oil]

Yay Greg! I'm going to save those for later when I need something to read.
Thank ya:)

[gregmonsta]

You can also edit your posts, Greg. No need to make a new post every time. ;)

But they're all so special :D they need their own space :rolleyes: ... (ahem, how else will I get to that magic 1000posts lol)

[Stefan-A]

But they're all so special :D they need their own space :rolleyes: ... (ahem, how else will I get to that magic 1000posts lol)
Spend more time here. You'll reach that magical 1000 posts eventually and eventually realise that there's nothing left to achieve after that. ;)

[drache]

yeah, Greg
where have you been?

[gregmonsta]

Hehe :) ... busy me - fully booked with teacher training and mixing an album ... though I'm not far off getting to name myself :D ...

[drache]

cool - thanks for stopping in
when will we see more of you again?

[gregmonsta]

:) ... well :D as often as possible :D

[gregmonsta]

Thought I would bump this up again for those that haven't seen the links yet :) ... haven't had any new PDF hunting sprees but anyone can add to this ;) ... try to find complete papers instead of abstracts if possible :D

[gregmonsta]

Stolen from Stefan's post :D

http://www.uttyler.edu/faculty/jplacyk/documents/Tail_stub_finish_000.pdf

[gregmonsta]

Behavioral shifts associated with reproduction
in garter snakes

Behavioral shifts associated with reproduction in garter snakes -- Shine et al. 14 (2): 251 -- Behavioral Ecology (http://beheco.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/14/2/251)

[gregmonsta]

Mechanisms and consequences of
sexual conflict in garter snakes

Mechanisms and consequences of sexual conflict in garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis, Colubridae) -- Shine et al. 15 (4): 654 -- Behavioral Ecology (http://beheco.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/15/4/654?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=1&title=garter+snake&andorexacttitle=and&andorexacttitleabs=and&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT)

[gregmonsta]

Earthworms detected by collagen like substance by garter snakes

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=323045&blobtype=pdf

[gregmonsta]

GRANULOSA CELL TUMOR IN A GARTER SNAKE (http://www.jwildlifedis.org/cgi/reprint/14/2/218.pdf)

http://www.jwildlifedis.org/cgi/reprint/14/2/218.pdf

[gregmonsta]

Red sided garter snake relocation project

http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fishwildlife/speciesatrisk/pdf/SAR_30.pdf

[gregmonsta]

Correlational Selection for Color Pattern and Antipredator Behavior in the Garter Snake Thamnophis ordinoides

http://faculty.virginia.edu/brodie/edb3pdfs/evol1992.pdf

[Stefan-A]

Thanks, Greg. :)

[gregmonsta]

No probs ;) ... more to come :D

[drache]

some day I'll have time to read all these
looking forward to it
thanks Greg

[gregmonsta]

GARTER SNAKE POPULATION DYNAMICS

http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/lind/captured/psw_2005_lind001.pdf

[gregmonsta]

EFFECTS OF SEX, SIZE, AND BODY CONDITION ON
MORTALITY OF RED-SIDED GARTER SNAKES

http://www.biol.vt.edu/faculty/moore/pdfs/13.pdf

[gregmonsta]

Report of human envenomation by the eastern garter snake

http://www.llu.edu/pages/faculty/whayes/documents/1985_hayes_toxicon_human_envenomation_garter_snake .pdf

[gregmonsta]

antipredator tactics

http://beheco.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/11/3/239.pdf

[gregmonsta]

Blackwell Publishing, Ltd.

Population genetic analysis identifies source–sink dynamics
for two sympatric garter snake species (Thamnophis elegans and Thamnophis sirtalis)

http://www.stanford.edu/group/Palumbi/PeoplePages/manuscripts/Manier&Arnold2005.pdf

[Stefan-A]

Thanks. :)

[gregmonsta]

No probs ;)

[guidofatherof5]

The other night I was watching a DVD called "Deadly Down Under". It was all about the deadly creature in Australia. I highly recommend it.
I was so amazed at one of that facts they quoted that I though a thread about these sort of things would be great. Thank you Stefan for the go ahead.:)

Here's the first:

A single bite from the Inland Tiapan(Oxyuranus microlepidotus) has enough venom to kill 150,000 mice. That is cool, unless your a mouse:D
Inland Taipan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inland_Taipan)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/Coastal-Taipan.jpg/150px-Coastal-Taipan.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Coastal-Taipan.jpg)

[Stefan-A]

Here's the first:

A single bite from the Inland Tiapan(Oxyuranus microlepidotus) has enough venom to kill 150,000 mice. That is cool, unless your a mouse:D
Inland Taipan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inland_Taipan)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/Coastal-Taipan.jpg/150px-Coastal-Taipan.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Coastal-Taipan.jpg)
Of course that depends on the size of the snake (volume), the location (venom composition varies geographically), the size and species of mouse (resistance), the age of the snake (venom composition can change) and a bunch of other factors. :p

[Stefan-A]

Here's a trivia question: Which of the following snakes belongs to which family (Viperidae, Colubridae or Elapidae)? If you already know what species they are, don't say the names.

One:

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakes10/notmine/one.jpg


Two:

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakes10/notmine/two.jpg


Three:

http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakes10/notmine/three.jpg

[wadih]

One: Viperidae
Two: Elapidae
Third: Colubridae

[Stefan-A]

Any other guesses?

[Mommy2many]

One: Viperidae
Two: Colubridae
Third: Elapidae

Can't see the 3rd picture clearly, so the first and third are a guess.

[Charis]

One: Viperidae
Two: Colubridae
Third: Elapidae


Those would be my guesses too.

[Stefan-A]

If I've calculated correctly, there should be 6 possible answers. I won't say anything about the current guesses, until we have a few more.

Bonus question: Which one is nonvenomous?

[gregmonsta]

1 Elapidae
2 Viperidae
3 Colubridae

You certainly picked the confusing ones :P

[Charis]

Bonus question: Which one is nonvenomous?
I'd guess #2, but that is only a guess.

[indigoman]

colubridae, viperidae, elapidae

[indigoman]

#3 is my guess since i got 2 wrong

[MasSalvaje]

I am going to guess
1. Colubridae
2. Elapidae
3. Vipperidae

and number one is non-venomous.

-Thomas

[ssssnakeluvr]

One: Viperidae
Two: Colubridae
Third: Elapidae


thats what I am going with....pretty sure the first is a viper (but I am no expert by any means...:cool:)

[Stefan-A]

1 Elapidae
2 Viperidae
3 Colubridae

You certainly picked the confusing ones :P
You, sir, have answered correctly.


One: Elapidae
Death adder, Acanthophis sp., a prime example of convergent evolution. That snake is actually a close relative of cobras, mambas and taipans. It has however evolved characteristics that are typically found viperids: Short thick body, triangular head, vertical pupils, hinged fangs, a sit-and-wait hunting method etc.

Two: Viperidae
Night adder, Causus sp., One of the more primitive viperids (primitive meaning it has traits that most other lineages don't display anymore).

Three: Colubridae
Montpellier snake, Malpolon monspessulanus,


And they are all venomous.



So, the point of this little exercise was to illustrate that even if rules of thumb are helpful, they have exceptions. Vipers don't always look like typical vipers and elapids don't always look like your average taipan or cobra.

[gregmonsta]

:) woohoo. :) a good pointer for the wild .... if you're not 100% sure what it is ... don't pick it up!

[ssssnakeluvr]

got me on them!! :eek:

[ConcinusMan]

Of course that depends on the size of the snake (volume), the location (venom composition varies geographically), the size and species of mouse (resistance), the age of the snake (venom composition can change) and a bunch of other factors. :p


I get the feeling that it doesn't matter much. If you weigh as much, less, or even more than 150 mice, it still makes it a very dangerous snake worthy of cautious respect wouldn't you say?

I'd still grab it if I found it and that was the only way to get more encounter time. But maybe that's just me. Wait, crikey! no it isn't.

I still remember my first encounter with a snake. Fascination AND respect. Still had to grab it! with thick leather gloves of course, out of respect. ;) (I was terrified)

Turned out to be a garter snake. He didn't know he wasn't dangerous and neither did I. He sure showed those gloves a thing or two! I guess it turned out to be a mutual respect. He quit biting and became my first pet snake for a few years. Luckily my tender years (8yrs old) first encounters with snakes weren't sickly corn snakes purchased at a pet store. My first and favorite snakes were WC garters. With attitude!

[mustang]

The other night I was watching a DVD called "Deadly Down Under". It was all about the deadly creature in Australia. I highly recommend it.
I was so amazed at one of that facts they quoted that I though a thread about these sort of things would be great. Thank you Stefan for the go ahead.:)

Here's the first:

A single bite from the Inland Tiapan(Oxyuranus microlepidotus) has enough venom to kill 150,000 mice. That is cool, unless your a mouse:D
Inland Taipan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inland_Taipan)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/Coastal-Taipan.jpg/150px-Coastal-Taipan.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Coastal-Taipan.jpg)
I SAW DEADLY DOWN UNDER IN W-GEO class last year!

[mustang]

i thought elpidae was coral snakes and few related species and colubridae snakes were non venomous!?...wow i learn somthn new every day.

[Stefan-A]

i thought elpidae was coral snakes and few related species and colubridae snakes were non venomous!?...wow i learn somthn new every day.
Coral snakes do belong to that family, but so do taipans, kraits, mambas and cobras.

As for the colubrids, the snake with the strongest venom in Africa, is indeed a colubrid. That's Dispholidus typus, the boomslang (Afrikaans for "tree snake"). Its competition in that category consists of various vipers, mambas and cobras, so that should give a some idea.

[mustang]

oh i know why i thought that i read "the snakes of texas" too many times ....in texas the ony venomous snakes are pit vipers(rattle snakes and copper heads and cotton mouths) and elapidae(coral snakes) all the coulibrids are non venomous

[Stefan-A]

oh i know why i thought that i read "the snakes of texas" too many times ....in texas the ony venomous snakes are pit vipers(rattle snakes and copper heads and cotton mouths) and elapidae(coral snakes) all the coulibrids are non venomous
Actually, it seems that most colubrids are in fact venomous, garters included, but it's easier to say that they are non-venomous than to say that they're "not venomous to a degree where a bite would be medically relevant", or "venomous but harmless", which is easily misunderstood.

But there have been clear signs of envenomation even in garter bites.

[MasSalvaje]

Actually, it seems that most colubrids are in fact venomous, garters included, but it's easier to say that they are non-venomous than to say that they're "not venomous to a degree where a bite would be medically relevant", or "venomous but harmless", which is easily misunderstood.

But there have been clear signs of envenomation even in garter bites.

I seem to be one of those that react more to Garter bites than most people. My fingers or hands will swell a bit and itch like mad for awhile; they also seem to have some sort of anticoagulant that increases bleeding.

I had a pretty bad reaction to a bite from a Yellow Bellied Racer, Coluber constrictor mormon in which I had to go to the doctors for an allergy shot. The Doctor compared it to an allergic reaction to a bee sting. It was not quite anaphylactic but they loaded me with antihistamines.

-Thomas

[ConcinusMan]

Actually, it seems that most colubrids are in fact venomous, garters included, but it's easier to say that they are non-venomous than to say that they're "not venomous to a degree where a bite would be medically relevant", or "venomous but harmless", which is easily misunderstood.

But there have been clear signs of envenomation even in garter bites.

I too have (rarely) had reactions to garter bites but I always assumed it was enzymes or bacteria in the saliva that I was reacting to. If so, does it really qualify as venom? I mean, a person can have a skin reaction to his own saliva.

Racer bites always produce some itching for me if the skin is broken.(and it usually is. Shark toothed little devils)

I always thought of venomous snakes as having a pair of specialized glands regardless of the teeth. Clearly those snakes don't use those glands for general salivation. It's clear that some non-venomous colubrids have saliva that is not entirely harmless but to call them venomous would definitely not be appropriate since there are no special glands to produce saliva that is modifed from the normal saliva.

[Stefan-A]

I too have (rarely) had reactions to garter bites but I always assumed it was enzymes or bacteria in the saliva that I was reacting to. If so, does it really qualify as venom? I mean, a person can have a skin reaction to his own saliva.

Racer bites always produce some itching for me if the skin is broken.(and it usually is. Shark toothed little devils)

I always thought of venomous snakes as having a pair of specialized glands regardless of the teeth. Clearly those snakes don't use those glands for general salivation. It's clear that some non-venomous colubrids have saliva that is not entirely harmless but to call them venomous would definitely not be appropriate.
It's not saliva, it's secretions from a separate gland that is used by the snake for the purpose of subduing or killing its prey and possibly to aid in digestion. So it most definitely counts as venom. The gland, called Duvernoy's gland, is homologous to the venom glands that vipers and elapids have. Even monitors have venom glands.

Venoms do consist of enzymes and bacteria can indeed cause reactions.

[MasSalvaje]

I too have (rarely) had reactions to garter bites but I always assumed it was enzymes or bacteria in the saliva that I was reacting to. If so, does it really qualify as venom?

Yep, Stefan already added this stuff but here is a source.


venom (věn'əm) Pronunciation Key (http://sp.ask.com/dictstatic/help/ahsd/pronkey.html)
Any of various poisonous substances secreted by certain snakes, spiders, scorpions, and insects and transmitted to a victim by a bite or sting. Venoms are highly concentrated fluids that typically consist of dozens or hundreds of powerful enzymes, peptides, and smaller organic compounds. These compounds target and disable specific chemicals in the victim, damaging cellular and organ system function. Snake venoms, for example, contain substances that block platelet aggregation (causing bleeding) and that prevent the release of acetylcholine by nerve endings (causing muscle paralysis). Many substances contained in venoms are under investigation for use as pharmaceuticals.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.

*Bold added for emphasis*

-Thomas

[Stefan-A]

Two names that to search for: Wolfgang Wüster and Bryan Fry. For an opposing view: K.V. Kardong.

Personally, I think that Wüster and Fry have the best insight at the moment.

[ConcinusMan]

Yep, Stefan already added this stuff but here is a source.



*Bold added for emphasis*

-Thomas

Well jeez, when you put it that way, many "harmless" snakes are venomous by that definition.

No it's no surprise to me that those rare instances of reaction was when I was feeding concinnus and they mistook my finger for food. They got quite a bit of chewing in on me and broke plenty of skin. Same goes for the racer bites but I wasn't feeding them, they're just mean when you catch 'em and like to chew on me.

[MasSalvaje]

Well jeez, when you put it that way, many "harmless" snakes are venomous by that definition.

And lizards also!

To humans maybe, but they evolve what will best work on their prey. Just because it it is harmless to us does not nulify the fact that it has a powerful effect on its prey items.

-Thomas

[Stefan-A]

http://news.discovery.com/animals/snakes-baby-dinosaurs.html




THE GIST:

A new species of prehistoric snake fed on baby dinosaurs.
A recently analyzed fossil shows the moment at which the snake was about to strike a hatchling titanosaur.
The massive snake lived during the Cretaceous and endured into early human history.

[gregmonsta]

Snakeosaurus rex :D

[Stefan-A]

Snakeosaurus rex :D
I believe that title has been earned by Titanoboa cerrejonensis.

[drache]

when I read "giant", I kind of expected something bigger than 11.5'

[Stefan-A]

when I read "giant", I kind of expected something bigger than 11.5'
Agreed. But it's just a news story, they don't know any better.

[ConcinusMan]

when I read "giant", I kind of expected something bigger than 11.5'


Me too. I was kinda disappointed. I was thinking they were going to say more like 40 feet.

[Stefan-A]

Just came across this and decided to post the abstract, in case somebody gives a crap:


Experimental evidence that oral secretions of northwestern ring-necked snakes (Diadophis punctatus occidentalis) are toxic to their prey

Ryan P. O’Donnell, , Kevin Staniland, Robert T. Mason

Abstract

Ring-necked snakes (Diadophis punctatus) are suspected of being venomous because their Duvernoy’s gland secretions have high levels of phospholipase activity, which is characteristic of many viperid and elapid venoms, and because anecdotal reports of feeding behavior are consistent with the use of a venom. We tested the toxicity of northwestern ringnecked snake oral secretions to a natural prey species, northwestern garter snakes (Thamnophis ordinoides), by injecting 2–35 ml of oral secretions intraperitoneally. All doses were 100% lethal within 180 min. The dose significantly affected the time to loss of a righting response. Neither injection of saline nor denatured oral secretions resulted in loss of a righting response or any visible detrimental effects. We suggest that northwestern ring-necked snakes may have evolved venom to subdue larger prey items than the snake would otherwise be capable of taking.

[guidofatherof5]

I do. Thanks for posting it.
Would you send me the whole thing or a link. Thanks.

[Stefan-A]

I do. Thanks for posting it.
Would you send me the whole thing or a link. Thanks.
http://home.comcast.net/~tsirtalis/017experimentalevidence.pdf

[gregmonsta]

Interesting :D

[guidofatherof5]

I just read through it and found it a good read. I was going to say interesting but I didn't want to copy off of Greg.:D Since it was mentioned in the article I hope you don't mind my link.
http://www.anapsid.org/duvernoygland.html

[Stefan-A]

How and when did Old World rat snakes disperse into the New World?

Frank T. Burbrink, Robin Lawson

Abstract
To examine Holarctic snake dispersal, we inferred a phylogenetic tree from four mtDNA genes and one scnDNA gene for most species
of the Old World (OW) and New World (NW) colubrid group known as rat snakes. Ancestral area distributions are estimated for various
clades using divergence–vicariance analysis and maximum likelihood on trees produced using Bayesian inference. Dates of divergence for
the same clades are estimated using penalized likelihood with statistically crosschecked calibration references obtained from the Miocene
fossil record. With ancestral areas and associated dates estimated, various hypotheses concerning the age and environment associated
with the origin of rat snakes and the dispersal of NW taxa from OW ancestors were tested. Results suggest that the rat snakes originated in
tropical Asia in the late Eocene and subsequently dispersed to the Western and Eastern Palearctic by the early Oligocene. These analyses
also suggest that the monophyletic NW rat snakes (the Lampropeltini) diverged from OW rat snakes and dispersed through Beringia in
the late Oligocene/early Miocene when this land bridge was mostly composed of deciduous and coniferous forests.

[Stefan-A]

Maturity, mating and age-specific reproductive effort of the snake Natrix maura

A . HAILEY AND P.M.C. DAVIES

Department of Zoology, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
(Accepted 19 March 1986)



http://koti.mbnet.fi/thamnoph/photos/snakes10/mauramaturity.jpg



So much for the 3-5 years mentioned in Reptiles and Amphibians of Europe (E. Nicholas Arnold & Denys W. Ovenden).

Who wants to guess why I looked up this article? :rolleyes:

[prattypus]

Some young hanky panky going on?

[Stefan-A]

Some young hanky panky going on?
Yeah. I moved the discussion about that to my own thread.

[ConcinusMan]

So much for the 3-5 years mentioned in Reptiles and Amphibians of Europe (E. Nicholas Arnold & Denys W. Ovenden).

Who wants to guess why I looked up this article? :rolleyes:
Yeah. I moved the discussion about that to my own thread.
That article might eXplain male garters' willingness to mate at any time of year as long as females are brumated and/or put out the attractant pheremone. Once or twice in a 15 year timespan my concinnus male tried it briefly with the female right after she shed. Usually that happened during a summer after brumation was skipped. No mating took place though. But these are animals and I'm sure many of them can adapt to climate change so that reproduction does happen one way or another. If they didn't find a way to make it happen... well, those snakes are long gone from this earth. That says alot about our own seXuality I think.

[ConcinusMan]

OK, new trivial fact (I think it hasn't been told, but I asked the question)

I've heard the meaning of Thamnophis. I've heard the english meaning of many of the species names such as sirtalis, radix, etc. Some of the species names refer to the person who first described the species on paper. I always wondered what concinnus meant. At first my gut told me it referred to the orange/red color but that's not it. If it was called T.s. rufus or T.s. rutilus then yes, that would refer to the color as those latin words refer to the color red.

I finally found out what concinnus translates to:

to sing together, celebrate.

I don't recall any garter snakes singing together or alone. Sure, concinnus get together but generally in less numbers than other garters in their range with which they share dens.

Ordinoides is pretty self explanatory since the english word "ordinary" is from the latin word. Basically, an extremely common and plain snake is to be assumed by the species name and that would be pretty accurate.

What I don't understand is how Oregon red-spotted garter snakes came to be named concinnus. to sing together, celebrate.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that perhaps the red spots looked "festive" when compared to the other drab, ordinary snakes in their range?

[Stefan-A]

OK, new trivial fact (I think it hasn't been told, but I asked the question)

I've heard the meaning of Thamnophis. I've heard the english meaning of many of the species names such as sirtalis, radix, etc. Some of the species names refer to the person who first described the species on paper. I always wondered what concinnus meant. At first my gut told me it referred to the orange/red color but that's not it. If it was called T.s. rufus or T.s. rutilus then yes, that would refer to the color as those latin words refer to the color red.

I finally found out what concinnus translates to:

to sing together, celebrate.

I don't recall any garter snakes singing together or alone. Sure, concinnus get together but generally in less numbers than other garters in their range with which they share dens.

Ordinoides is pretty self explanatory since the english word "ordinary" is from the latin word. Basically, an extremely common and plain snake is to be assumed by the species name and that would be pretty accurate.

What I don't understand is how Oregon red-spotted garter snakes came to be named concinnus. to sing together, celebrate.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that perhaps the red spots looked "festive" when compared to the other drab, ordinary snakes in their range?

I agree with your previous statement:


Definition of concinnous
[kuhn-sin-uhs]adjective

characterized by concinnity; elegant; harmonious; stylistically congruous.

Origin:
1645–55; < L concinnus neatly arranged, elegant; see -ous

Elegant and neatly arranged? I can agree with that.

If anyone else has a better explanation of the origin of the concinnus name attached to our beloved Red-spotted (sirtalis) garter snake, I would love to hear it!
Fits that "singing together" part pretty well, too.

[ConcinusMan]

Oh OK. I didn't even remember that one. I like that explanation better. I also discovered that the translator I used is absolute rubbish. Dang, I wish I could find my own posts like you do. After spending unreasonable amounts of time looking for it, I just give up.

While we are on that subject, where the heck is my March 20 thread where I announced that I finally found garters?

[Stefan-A]

While we are on that subject, where the heck is my March 20 thread where I announced that I finally found garters?
Well, where did you leave it?

[ConcinusMan]

Well, where did you leave it?

Well thanks stefan, that's extremely helpful. I don't generally lose things if I can remember where I put them. :cool:

No, it's OK I found it in spring sightings

[Stefan-A]

I just noticed that in the painting Head of Medusa, by Peter Paul Rubens (1618), the Medusa's hair consists exclusively of grass snakes.

[gregmonsta]

Characterization of venom (Duvernoy's secretion) from twelve species of colubrid snakes and partial sequence of four venom proteins. Toxicon 38(12):1663-1687. Report enzyme assays, electrophoresis, protein sequencing, etc. for venom, saliva New, Old World species; observe Thamnophis, Diadophis, Hypsiglena bites lethal to other snakes.

http://www.unco.edu/nhs/biology/faculty_staff/mackessy/2000%20Toxicon%20Hill%20and%20Mackessy.pdf

[gregmonsta]

Clin Toxicol. 1981 May;18(5):573-9. Envenomation following the bite of a wandering garter snake (Thamnophis elegans vagrans). Vest DK.

Following a prolonged bite by a large specimen of the wandering garter snake (Thamnophis elegans vagrans), symptoms of envenomation rapidly developed. Swelling, edema, pain, and localized hemorrhaging occurred but without the subsequent onset of systemic manifestations. The bite recipient was carefully examined and the evolution of poisoning monitored. Depending upon duration of the bite and inclination of the snake, members of this species are capable of occasionally causing mild envenomation in humans, inducing localized poisoning not unlike that seen following bites by small Crotalidae (pit vipers).

[gregmonsta]

Good article on garter toxicity - http://www.wms.org/magazine/264.pdf

[Stefan-A]

Nice. Although I would have put them in the Snake Trivia thread. ;)

[gregmonsta]

Nice. Although I would have put them in the Snake Trivia thread. ;)

:rolleyes: I suppose .... but my thread is older :p

[Spankenstyne]

This is fantastic!

Thanks for taking the time to post these. I viewed the first one and it was very cool. I'll be sure to spend time checking the rest when a get some time.

[gregmonsta]

I aim to please :D .... although we could probably change the name of the thread to something like 'Scientific Thamnophis Literature' or something 'Thamnophis PDF Archive'

[Stefan-A]

I aim to please :D .... although we could probably change the name of the thread to something like 'Scientific Thamnophis Literature' or something 'Thamnophis PDF Archive'
I could merge this one with the snake trivia thread. Both are essentially serving the same purpose.

[guidofatherof5]

I could merge this one with the snake trivia thread. Both are essentially serving the same purpose.

I'm good with that move.
Greg's thread hanging out with my thread. That would be such an honor for Greg:D
Wait, what I meant to say was, my thread handing out with Greg's would be such an honor for me:D yeah, that's it.

[gregmonsta]

;) go for it!!! We can honour each other with our google skills :D

[Stefan-A]

Any suggestions for a title for that new thread?

[gregmonsta]

The learning zone? :D

[gregmonsta]

Giant Garter Snake Habitat Evaluation Survey

http://www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/smud/documents/applicants_files/2003-03-27_DATA_RESPONSE15B.PDF

[gregmonsta]

COASTAL-INLAND DIVERGENCE IN THE GARTER SNAKE, THAMNOPHIS ELEGANS

http://www.uoregon.edu/~pphil/pubs/arnold1999.pdf

[Stefan-A]

Greg picked the title. :p

[guidofatherof5]

Here's one from Dr. Robert Mason:

Why do male garter snakes have longer tails then Females.
http://people.oregonstate.edu/~masonr/pdfs/041whydomalesnakes.pdf

[ConcinusMan]

Oooh, Oooh, I know, pick me! jk.

[Stefan-A]

For those who really need something to read:

http://www.sekj.org/AnnZool.html

Found 39 articles I liked. There are a few herp related articles in the mix, too.

[gregmonsta]

That link isn't working for me :p .... you're getting me back for the adder relocation doc, aren't you? :o

[Stefan-A]

That link isn't working for me :p .... you're getting me back for the adder relocation doc, aren't you? :o
That is interesting, it worked just fine for me when I posted the link. I think the site is just down at the moment.

[Stefan-A]

R. Shine · B. Phillips · H. Waye · M. LeMaster ·
R. T. Mason

Chemosensory cues allow courting male garter snakes to assess body length and body condition of potential mates

Abstract
When choosing between two potential mates, a male may benefit by picking a larger (longer and/or more heavy-bodied) female because she is likely to produce more or larger offspring. Males of many species use visual cues to evaluate the sizes of their mates, but in some situations (at night or in a crowded mating swarm), vision may be useless. Potentially, males may be able to use chemical cues that convey information about female body size. We manipulated cues available to free-ranging male garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) in large courting aggregations near communal dens in Manitoba, Canada. Males not only directed disproportionate courtship to longer and heavier-bodied females, but also courted most vigorously in response to lipids extracted from the skins of such females. Our data show that with a flick of his tongue, a male garter snake can identify not only a female’s body length, but also her body condition.

[ConcinusMan]

Wow. Now I kinda wish I was garter snake. I mean, if by the flick of my tongue I can tell which girls are the hottest, even in the dark.. well...

That's just...

Oh yeah, I want to be garter snake.:p

[guidofatherof5]

R. Shine · B. Phillips · H. Waye · M. LeMaster ·
R. T. Mason

Chemosensory cues allow courting male garter snakes to assess body length and body condition of potential mates

Abstract
When choosing between two potential mates, a male may benefit by picking a larger (longer and/or more heavy-bodied) female because she is likely to produce more or larger offspring. Males of many species use visual cues to evaluate the sizes of their mates, but in some situations (at night or in a crowded mating swarm), vision may be useless. Potentially, males may be able to use chemical cues that convey information about female body size. We manipulated cues available to free-ranging male garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) in large courting aggregations near communal dens in Manitoba, Canada. Males not only directed disproportionate courtship to longer and heavier-bodied females, but also courted most vigorously in response to lipids extracted from the skins of such females. Our data show that with a flick of his tongue, a male garter snake can identify not only a female’s body length, but also her body condition.

And yet there is so much we don't know about them. Great information.
Thanks for the post. This is a great thread and it had gone silent for awhile.

[gregmonsta]

Polymorphic Clay Models of Thamnophis sirtalis Suggest Patterns of
Avian Predation

https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/1811/23970/1/V103N3_062.pdf

[gregmonsta]

Patterns of genetic differentiation in

Thamnophis and Taricha from the Pacific
Northwest

http://faculty.virginia.edu/brodie/edb3pdfs/JBioGeo2007.pdf

[gregmonsta]

HELMINTH INFRACOMMUNITY STRUCTURE OF THE SYMPATRIC GARTER SNAKES

THAMNOPHIS EQUES AND THAMNOPHIS MELANOGASTER FROM THE MESA CENTRAL
OF MEXICO

http://hwml.unl.edu/staff/agustin/ARTICLES/thamnocom.pdf

[gregmonsta]

Quantitative Genetics of Scale Counts in the Garter Snake Thamnophis sirtalis

http://www.biology.ucr.edu/people/faculty/Garland/DohmGa93.pdf

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks, Teach.;)

[ConcinusMan]

Wow. Good reading.:)

[gregmonsta]

I aim to please :D ... I was very glad to find the 'garter vs newt' paper :D still more to find and post ;)

[Stefan-A]

Molecular evidence for parthenogenesis in the Sierra garter snake, Thamnophis couchii (Colubridae)

http://www.csub.edu/~dgermano/TcouchiiPartheno.pdf

[gregmonsta]

Nice find Stefan :D

[Stefan-A]

More from the same guy:

PUBLICATIONS (http://www.csub.edu/~dgermano/publications.html)

[radtad]

Great stuff thanks for sharing

[ConcinusMan]

Cool. I know a guy who had a Pueblan milk snake, never bred, that laid a bunch of jelly beans, but two of the eggs were fertile, and hatched.:eek:

[mustang]

wahoo "parthenogennsis" a new word to use at dinner!

[Stefan-A]

wahoo "parthenogennsis" a new word to use at dinner!
Careful with that spelling. :D

[mustang]

Careful with that spelling. :D
can i use this as an insult?

[Stefan-A]

can i use this as an insult?
Could you rephrase that?

[Stefan-A]

Okay, how many of you have known about this site and not told anyone (me) about it?

Nutrition Feeder Mice | Nutrient Composition of Feeder Animals (http://www.rodentpro.com/qpage_articles_03.asp)

.pdf here:
http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/zoo/WholePreyFinal02May29.pdf


edit: Invertebrates here:
http://www.house-of-reptiles.com/feederinvertebrates.pdf

[gregmonsta]

Nice :rolleyes: ... not deja vu for me.

[Stefan-A]

Was bored, so I started googling colubrid genera based on the list on this page:
Snake Tracks - Snake Species List / Fact Sheets (http://snaketracks.com/species.html)

Some of those genera are pretty impressive:
Typhlops 136 species
Atractus 96
Leptotyphlops 92
Oligodon 67
Micrurus 65
Tantilla 62
Ramphotyphlops 58
Liophis 50
Geophis 42
Rhadinaea 35
Rhinotyphlops 30
and Thamnophis 28

Although it should be noted that it's old taxonomy.

[ConcinusMan]

Well that's just fine since I'm old too.:p

[ConcinusMan]

Edmund D. Brodie III - Publications (http://www.faculty.virginia.edu/brodie/pubstop.html#ARMS)

[ConcinusMan]

TKS Stefan, I couldn't remember where to put that.^^^

[gregmonsta]

That link'll do a good job of keeping me busy ;)

[ConcinusMan]

Yeah, no kidding. It would keep me busy looking up the "big" words, that's for sure.

[Stefan-A]

Saved them all. Will find time to read them through, once interstellar travel at 99% light speed becomes reality and I manage to hitch a ride. :rolleyes:

[Stefan-A]

Does anyone have the full text version of this one:


The toxic Duvernoy's secretion of the wandering garter snake, Thamnophis elegans vagrans


Darwin K. Vest

Department of Zoology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, U.S.A.


Accepted 10 June 1981.
Available online 22 November 2002.

Abstract

The Duvernoy's secretion of the wandering garter snake (Thamnophis elegans vagrans) is highly toxic to mice, causing marked hemorrhaging in the lungs, diaphragm, mesentery and stomach lining, as well as mild local hemorrhaging. Systemic hemorrhaging was most pronounced in mice receiving doses approximating the p. ld50, while doses two times the ld50 or greater produced massive hermorrhaging in the lungs and diaphragm only. Local extravasations were directly proportional to dose. Oral secretions other than Duvernoy's secretion failed to produce lethal effects in mice challenged with doses up to 7 times the ld50 of Duvernoy's secretion. A micro-aspiration techniques for the collection of Duvernoy's secretion from colubrid snakes is described, and liquid as well as dried secretion yields for Thamnophis elegans vagrans are presented.

[gregmonsta]

I've tried but haven't found a free copy .... I will resume my usual pdf hunt this weekend and see if I can get to it.
Might be worth my trying to get a hold of it through the college system.

[gregmonsta]

Had a go today .... the American sites don't seem to see UHI as a research entity that would qualify for access.

[Stefan-A]

Yeah, the best I can do, is whatever is on SpringerLink. Correction, some of the articles on there.

[gregmonsta]

BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGY
OF COLUBRID SNAKE VENOMS

http://www.unco.edu/biology/faculty_staff/mackessy/colubrid.pdf

[gregmonsta]

Oops ... previously posted.

[Stefan-A]

I certainly didn't remember it. :D

[gregmonsta]

Still no luck with the Darwin K. Vest paper ... the entire edition of that Toxicon publification is available on some filesharing sites but I cant find any of those that are free either :(

[gregmonsta]

I certainly didn't remember it. :D

Lol :D .... it's the oops post that replaced something ... ;) .... the one above it is 100% new here.

[Stefan-A]

lol :d .... It's the oops post that replaced something ... ;) .... The one above it is 100% new here.
Quod erat demonstrandum. :D

edit: interesting, the forum refused to post QED with the grinning smilie after it. Protection against all-caps?

[MasSalvaje]

Stefan, Are you still looking for a copy of the Duvernoy study my Vest? I have a hard copy of it, I had to request it from the research library at the school I attend for a herpetology class I took so I only got a hard copy. I can send one to you or scan it into an email for you if you would like. I found it for the same project I asked you if you had any studies on the duvernoy gland. It is an interesting read and raises a lot more questions than it answers but I guess that is what most scientific studies will do, at least those that are done properly.

-Thomas

[gregmonsta]

Stefan, Are you still looking for a copy of the Duvernoy study my Vest? I have a hard copy of it, I had to request it from the research library at the school I attend for a herpetology class I took so I only got a hard copy. I can send one to you or scan it into an email for you if you would like. I found it for the same project I asked you if you had any studies on the duvernoy gland. It is an interesting read and raises a lot more questions than it answers but I guess that is what most scientific studies will do, at least those that are done properly.

-Thomas

Me too .... me too *imagine a big, hairy 32 year old bouncing about like a ten year old :rolleyes:

[Stefan-A]

Stefan, Are you still looking for a copy of the Duvernoy study my Vest? I have a hard copy of it, I had to request it from the research library at the school I attend for a herpetology class I took so I only got a hard copy. I can send one to you or scan it into an email for you if you would like. I found it for the same project I asked you if you had any studies on the duvernoy gland. It is an interesting read and raises a lot more questions than it answers but I guess that is what most scientific studies will do, at least those that are done properly.

-Thomas
I would very much like it. :)

[Stefan-A]

I have a borrowed copy of a doctoral thesis on the hibernation and seasonal movements of adders in southern Finland, that I had been trying to get my hands on for years. It's something like 80 pages. Considered scanning it, until I realized how long it would take with the scanners I have available.

Now I'm depressed. I just reminded myself of the fact that I should be writing my own thesis right now...

[MasSalvaje]

I would very much like it. :)

I will dig it up and see what I can muster.

-Thomas

[mustang]

I have a borrowed copy of a doctoral thesis on the hibernation and seasonal movements of adders in southern Finland, that I had been trying to get my hands on for years. It's something like 80 pages. Considered scanning it, until I realized how long it would take with the scanners I have available.

Now I'm depressed. I just reminded myself of the fact that I should be writing my own thesis right now...
my sympathy is enclosed :(h;)e:eek:r:rolleyes:e:(
i have had that rotten luck, but for you theres still hope!:D

[guidofatherof5]

I haven't read this yet but it looks like a good read.

http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/lind/captured/psw_2005_lind001.pdf

[ConcinusMan]

"....declines in numbers of garter snakes have been linked to the declines in their amphibian prey." That's what I was saying in the "frog legs" thread. It's probably actually a good thing for the snakes when bullfrogs move in to "ruined" wetlands since the native frogs will usually die off when the condition of the wetland gets poor.

Good read Steve. Thanks for sharing the link.

[luke.B]

i never notices this on rodent pro before and thought some of them were good so figured i would share
Reptiles, Rats, Rodents, Snakes | Rodent Pro Articles (http://www.rodentpro.com/qpage_articles.asp)

[Stefan-A]

Effects of ultraviolet radiation on plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations in corn snakes (Elaphe guttata)
http://vetmed.illinois.edu/mmitch/pdf/corn snake.pdf

The effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin lipids of garter snakes
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=18&ved=0CFQQFjAHOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Foregonstate.edu%2Fdept%2Fbiochem% 2Fhhmi%2Fundergradresearch%2F2010%2FVigeland.ppt&ei=e9YKT-a2MILMsgab87WBDw&usg=AFQjCNE806cvP4WNT29WYiVZEYRMD5iepQ


Voluntary Exposure of Some Western-Hemisphere Snake and Lizard Species to Ultraviolet-B Radiation in the Field: How Much Ultraviolet-B Should a Lizard or Snake Receive in Captivity?
http://www.solarmeter.com/pdfs/paper2.pdf

[EasternGirl]

Okay...just to make sure that I am understanding the findings...in the first article...it was found that UVB exposure did not change behavior, but it did cause a decrease in reproduction? I'm getting ready to read the second article now...

[EasternGirl]

Okay...second article read. Very interesting articles Stefan...and thank you for providing them as I am always wondering about UV light in my enclosures. Now, the second article mentions the use of Zoo Med bulbs. I have been using a Zoo Med Reptisun 5.0 UVB strip bulb for my slide glass enclosure...which is a 30 gallon...and the light sits about 15 inches above the substrate. What do you think about using that?

[Stefan-A]

I don't know.

[angrygamer]

Okay...second article read. Very interesting articles Stefan...and thank you for providing them as I am always wondering about UV light in my enclosures. Now, the second article mentions the use of Zoo Med bulbs. I have been using a Zoo Med Reptisun 5.0 UVB strip bulb for my slide glass enclosure...which is a 30 gallon...and the light sits about 15 inches above the substrate. What do you think about using that?

I'm using a 2.0. Been using it about a week as per my vet, not really any difference behaviorwise...

Also, my vet also told me that if the light is shining through glass you won't get the UV benefits...

[EasternGirl]

Well it's shining through the metal mesh at the top of the tank...not through glass. I was using it everyday...now I have had it off to see if my snake likes it better without such bright light...I have been using only her basking light. I'll turn it back on tomorrow and see if I notice a difference.

[angrygamer]

Well it's shining through the metal mesh at the top of the tank...not through glass. I was using it everyday...now I have had it off to see if my snake likes it better without such bright light...I have been using only her basking light. I'll turn it back on tomorrow and see if I notice a difference.

OK, just making sure. Hey, keep us posted on this.

[EasternGirl]

I will...thanks.

[Stefan-A]

While pursuing a hunch, I came across this:


ScienceDirect.com - Experimental Parasitology - Hibernation: Intestinal protozoa populations in ground squirrels (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0014489469901076)

Hibernation: Intestinal protozoa populations in ground squirrels
Stanley D. Davis
Department of Zoology, University of California, Davis, U.S.A.
Received 17 January 1969. Available online 13 April 2004.

Abstract

Quantitative analyses of protozoans provided estimates of caecal populations before and after periods of hibernation in squirrels. In Citellus lateralis and C. beldingi, Entamoeba citelli is lost from the caecum during hibernation, whereas Entamoeba sp. (similar to E. muris) survives. Animals removed from the cold room while torpid failed to regain infections of E. citelli after resumption of normal activity. Both amoebae survived in caeca of animals kept active throughout winter at warmer temperatures.

Few cysts of either amoeba were passed by active animals. The average number of cysts passed (0.42/pellet) was not increased by short periods of starvation. After the first week of hibernation, no cysts were recovered.

Viable cysts of Entamoeba citelli were recovered from dried feces stored for 168 days. Cysts of Entamoeba sp. from the same feces were nonviable. This exceptional ability to survive may be due in part to the uniquely thick cyst wall of E. citelli. Ingestion of feces containing cysts was observed in animals not infected with Entamoeba. Several of these animals acquired infections and began passing cysts within 1 month.

E. citelli survives winter as an infectious cyst outside its hibernating host. Reinfection occurs in the spring when hibernation is over.




http://www.int-res.com/articles/esr2010/11/n011p113.pdf


Seasonal variations in gastrointestinal parasites excreted by the gray mouse lemur Microcebusmurinus in Madagascar
ABSTRACT: We describe seasonal variations in gastrointestinal parasites found in feces of the gray
mouse lemur Microcebus murinus. Our study was carried out in the evergreen littoral forest of Mandena,
Madagascar. Fecal samples from M. murinus caught during monthly trapping sessions were screened
for eggs and larvae of intestinal parasites. Gastrointestinal parasite infection of M. murinus was characterized
by parasite species richness, the prevalence of parasites, and the intensity of infection expressed
as the number of parasite eggs, larvae, and cysts per g feces. We used a modification of the McMaster
flotation egg counting technique to quantify parasite egg shedding. Parasite excretions changed seasonally
when analyzed on the level of individual hosts. The number of parasite species and the abundance
of parasite eggs and larvae in Microcebus feces were higher during the hot season than during the cold
season. Reduced parasite excretion during the cold season could be due to environmental factors or to
the ability of M. murinus to enter torpor and hibernation during the cold season, which might lead to reduced
metabolism of intestinal parasites and might thus result in reduced shedding of eggs. No such
variation was found when the analyses were based on samples of unknown origin.

[ConcinusMan]

You definitely cannot rely on just one or two negative fecal tests to rule out all internal parasites. In a related matter, I have noticed that garters (concinnus') coming fresh out of brumation, and carrying a heavy tapeworm infestation tend to pass a lot of dead tapeworms (or segments) once they start eating and pooping again so brumating must be hard for the worms too.

[Stefan-A]

The new Noah's Ark: beautiful and useful species only. Part 1. Biodiversity conservation issues and priorities


Abstract

Most of the world's species at risk of extinction are neither particularly attractive nor obviously useful, and consequently lack conservation support. In contrast, the public, politicians, scientists, the media and conservation organisations are extremely sympathetic to a select number of well-known and admired species, variously called flagship, charismatic, iconic, emblematic, marquee and poster species. These are extremely attractive, large, entertaining or useful, and they receive the lion's share of public and private financial support, publicity, research, conservation and protective legislation. Such species have proven to be the best available means of increasing public awareness of the biodiversity crisis, and of mobilising financial support for conservation. They are widely touted as critical to the cause of conservation, not just symbolically, but also because preservation of their habitats, it has been claimed, can simultaneously preserve other species at risk. However, there is only limited evidence of ‘trickle-down’ benefits to rare, endemic and endangered species. Indeed, management strategies based on various ecologically-defined representative species (surrogate species, focal species, indicator species, keystone species, umbrella species) are only partially useful for aiding non-targeted species at risk. Aesthetic and commercial standards have become the primary determinants of which species in the natural world deserve conservation. Accordingly, the world's biodiversity is being beautified by selective conservation of attractive species, while the plight of the overwhelming majority of species is receiving limited attention.

Full text:
Taylor & Francis Online :: The new Noah's Ark: beautiful and useful species only. Part 1. Biodiversity conservation issues and priorities - Biodiversity - Volume 12, Issue 4 (http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14888386.2011.642663)

[guidofatherof5]

Read half of it and saved it. Will finish up later. Thanks Stefan.

[guidofatherof5]

Here you go. Nice read on our west coast garters.
Maps and photos.
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~fjanzen/pdf/02MolEcol.pdf (http://www.public.iastate.edu/%7Efjanzen/pdf/02MolEcol.pdf)

[ConcinusMan]

Awesome. Thanks Steve. I've read this before but had lost track of where to find it.

[guidofatherof5]

Her is an awesome article about an issue we have all discussed. "A snake's hearing" Check out this article.
Thanks Stefan for the heads-up on this and thank you viperkeeper for posting it on your FB page.;)
viperkeeper https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viperkeeper/156984027682678?ref=ts&fref=ts

C. atrox response to airbore sounds.pdf (http://www.mediafire.com/view/?v3b8xe93l032v3c)

[guidofatherof5]

Here is a link to a recent study in Denmark with regards to hearing in snakes. Thank you Steve Schmidt for the heads-up on this one.
http://pure.au.dk/portal/files/48050621/poster_maryland_cbc.pdf

[Invisible Snake]

PLOS ONE: Chemical Basis of Prey Recognition in Thamnophiine Snakes: The Unexpected New Roles of Parvalbumins (http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0039560)

And

Are snakes right-handed ? Asymmetry in hemipenis size and usage in gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) (http://beheco.oxfordjournals.org/content/11/4/411.full)

[Invisible Snake]

"Garter snake Teeth - Did you know that garter snakes have enlarged rear teeth? These are thought to help aid in prey consumption by helping get their mildly toxic saliva deep into the tissues of their prey which helps immobilize it. This photo does a great job of showing this amazing adaptation.

Photo by Zack West (https://www.facebook.com/zack.west.79?group_id=0).

Conservation Through Education"

8651

[Steveo]

I think most of us learned that one the hard way :P

[ConcinusMan]

"Did you know that garter snakes have enlarged rear teeth?" Thanks for the warning but I could have used that information before the late 1970's when my first one tried to eat me LoL

[indigoman]

I observed an eastern eating a toad, the toad inflated himself with air as a defensive move to make him too large to swallow. The garter used rear teeth to puncture his belly letting the air out and continued to swallow him.

[guidofatherof5]

I observed an eastern eating a toad, the toad inflated himself with air as a defensive move to make him too large to swallow. The garter used rear teeth to puncture his belly letting the air out and continued to swallow him.

Very cool. Unless you're the toad.:D

[Invisible Snake]

Snake Fungal Disease affecting snakes in the East and Midwest.

USGS National Wildlife Health Center - Snake Fungal Disease (http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/other_diseases/snake_fungal_disease.jsp)

[Greg'sGarters]

Very cool. Unless you're the toad.:D

Toad: hey, Hey, HEY HEY HEY!!! I WAS BIGGER A SECOND AGO!!!!!!

[Stefan-A]

USGS National Wildlife Health Center - Snake Fungal Disease (http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/other_diseases/snake_fungal_disease.jsp)
"Snake Fungal Disease (SFD) is an emerging disease in certain populations of wild snakes in the eastern and midwestern United States."