2010 Ranch Rescue Season

[guidofatherof5]

After arriving home this evening my son handed me an empty pickle jar. Inside I found a great looking male orange phase radix. He'll be heading to the Vet. tomorrow for a little surgery.
He has a prolapsed hemipenis. It's dried out and will need to be removed via Laser scalpel. I'll get a few photos in the morning and post. I think I'll even get some video from the Vet's Office.

[guidofatherof5]

Here's a photo of this little guy's problem. I'm sure if he were still in the wild it would eventually drop off.
I thought about clipping it of myself but did want to deal with a large blood lose.
The laser will cauterize the blood vessels and prevent that.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Hemi.jpg

[prattypus]

holy moley!

[guidofatherof5]

With no Vet. available until Monday I decided to take care of this on my own. Using a pair of surgical scissors I clipped the hemipenis off. I left a small amount of dead tissue so I wouldn't have to deal with him losing any blood.
Worked like a charm. The patient is resting in a shed box. He felt very dry so I thought a little sauna time would be good for him.:)

[Tyrel26]

if i am reincarnated as a snake i know where im going....lol

[gregmonsta]

Glad the procedure went well for you ;)

[ConcinusMan]

Once it's all dried out like that, I've had no problems clipping it off myself. It's no biggie. Only one of the times I did it resulted in significant bleeding. A little powdered alum took care of that really quick. The little bit still hanging there comes off in one or two sheds.

[guidofatherof5]

I got a call from a lady today. She said she had a big snake in her side yard and wanted it gone. She didn't live too far away so I drove to her house. Once I arrived it was easy to see how she created her own problem. She had a 4x8 piece of plywood laying in her yard. Talk about advertising for garter snakes to come and live there.
I lifted the board and found a rather large male radix hiding. He was easy to catch as it was still cool at that time of the morning. He was pretty beat up but in overall good health. I took him home and released him under my deck with the rest of the wild ones.

[guidofatherof5]

After church my kids and I went to the x in-laws for lunch. I have a great relationship with both of them. I even call them Mom and Dad. It's a blessing.
While there I was sent to do a snake sweep of a couple houses. Seems when non snake people see me they want me to remove the horrible killing machine garter snakes. I can't turn them down as it means a death sentence to the snakes if I don't take them. It was a cold day here so I knew they would be under cover. I found 3 young snakes from last years and 1 adult female. All great looking dark phase. The big female had a couple of bad looking scutes on her belly and neck area. While checking them over I found that she needed to shed. Once I got her started it came off rather quickly. That was all she needed to do to repair those scutes. All 4 are resting comfortably and will stay for a few days. They will be released in my back yard after the weather warms up.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/mothers_day_snakes1.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/mothers_day_snakes.jpg

[drache]

nice rescues

[ConcinusMan]

I like that bottom one.

[guidofatherof5]

I found this dark phase female T.radix right outside my front door. She was under the deck steps trying to locate the secret(they think it's secret) entrance to the Ranch. I took the time to check her over and make sure she didn't have a visible problems. She had a couple of scale abrasions but other than that she looked good.
I set her back under the steps and she went right into the house via the secret entrance. This entrance puts them in above one of my basement rooms. It has a false ceiling where they can lounge. I hear them up there ever once in awhile. I noticed the freezer door ajar the other night and I know I closed it before lights out. I wonder:rolleyes:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/female11.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/female.jpg

[bkhuff1s]

I've been thinking of putting out a snake rescue thing in the local paper, so that people do not destroy snakes in my area as well, how was it received?

[guidofatherof5]

I've been thinking of putting out a snake rescue thing in the local paper, so that people do not destroy snakes in my area as well, how was it received?

I've never done it. I'm not ready for the endless calls. No place to put the ones I take. I live in radix heaven, snakes everywhere.

[bkhuff1s]

well that's a blessing I'm sure

[guidofatherof5]

They just keep coming. My daughter Gabby found this beautuful girl right outside the front door. She's a lighter phase with a knockout orange stripe. She musked both of us before she was returned to the wild. She's a new comer to the area as I don't remember seeing her before. When I first saw her I thought Gabby was playing a joke on me. You know, bringing up a snake from the basement. It looks like she's breeding age so I'm hoping she bred and will have her babies close to the Ranch. Who knows, maybe in the Ranch since she also knows about the secret entrance.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/orange11.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/orange3.jpg

[kazariel]

i can't tell you how evious (is that the right word? o.o) i am when i see whats all around you. here in germany you can be happy if you see one small lizard or two, but snakes ... not here where i live :(

[guidofatherof5]

This beautiful female Fox snake came to me via the Sheriff's Dept. One of my co-workers delivered it saying he was stopped by a motorist who found it in the grill of his car. She was very docile and easy to handle. I will probably get her a job with the one of Iowa's Conservation Officers as an educational snake.
She'll have to pass a few tests first. I'll have her here for at least 3 months before I'll know if she's right for the job. Seems Fox snakes are plentiful in the area as I get a couple every year. They are a very nice snake.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/fox11.jpg

[Hollis_Steed]

She is a beauty Steve!

[Laura]

Wow, she's stunning

[Mommy2many]

Very nice!

[guidofatherof5]

She's taken to life on the Ranch very well. She was soaking and enjoying the water dish today. When I got in to check on her she didn't bolt or show defensiveness at all. I like her.

[Mommy2many]

Another keeper. Wait, they're all keepers! Great job! She is stunning.

[guidofatherof5]

I received a call from an elderly lady that I met at one of my schools. It's been a years since I've seen or talked to her.
She didn't introduce herself but simply said "I've got you some garter snakes" It was only a 5 minute drive so I headed to her house.
Once there I found a large number of snakes. Most got away but I was able to wrangle 3. 2 probably gravid females and 1 male. They are welcome on the Ranch.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/bag.jpg

[Mommy2many]

Nice rescue!

[Atlas511]

I wish I could walk outside to a ton or garters! lucky! nice rescues!

[guidofatherof5]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/fox11.jpg

This fine female just gave me 12 eggs. It will give me a chance to try out my new incubator(ReptiPro5000).

[guidofatherof5]

Here's the incubator my kids bought me for Fathers Day.
ReptiPro 5000 Digital Reptile Incubator (http://www.reptipro.com/supplies/incubators/reptipro-5000-reptile-incubator.html)

[MasSalvaje]

Here's the incubator my kids bought me for Fathers Day.
ReptiPro 5000 Digital Reptile Incubator (http://www.reptipro.com/supplies/incubators/reptipro-5000-reptile-incubator.html)

Very slick Steve! But you more than anyone should know garters don't lay eggs. :D:D:D

[Hollis_Steed]

Here's the incubator my kids bought me for Fathers Day.
ReptiPro 5000 Digital Reptile Incubator (http://www.reptipro.com/supplies/incubators/reptipro-5000-reptile-incubator.html)

VERY cool incubator and VERY cool kids!:)

[guidofatherof5]

Very slick Steve! But you more than anyone should know garters don't lay eggs. :D:D:D

I'm just getting prepared for the day I can hatch some Gray Banded Kings. Because of a friends awesome donation of a male to the Ranch I now have a pair. Hoping for some baby GBK in the next year.
I'm also hoping my Hypo Bull snake will drop some eggs.
Thinking about hatching some turtles, someday. I would love to work with Snapping turtles. The one I have is a great little monster.

[guidofatherof5]

VERY cool incubator and VERY cool kids!:)

I love my 5 kids.
They make me proud all the time.

[guidofatherof5]

My daughter Gabby came across this little female radix this afternoon. Gabby was concerned because of an injury she has.
It's a strange looking thing. Can't say I've ever seen this before. I've helped many a snake with injuries from lawn equipment and human abuse. I've watch injuries heal from the beginning to end but I've never seen this before.
The skin at the injury sight is a dark color and very smooth to the touch. I feel muscle under it and it doesn't appear to have any fluid build-up. I treated it with some silver sulfadiazine and will keep an eye on it for awhile.
When I first saw it it reminded me of fungus but it doesn't appear to be that. It does look as if the scales and skin were rubbed off. Kind of like scraping your knee. I just don't know.
Anyone else seen anything like this before?
She's a pretty little girl and will be staying with use until we identify this injury and get her the proper treatment.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/saved21.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/saved11.jpg http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/saved2.jpg

[count dewclaw]

My guess would be that she had a piece of skin "scalped" off of her. Looks like it is healing, don't know if the scales will completely grow back in such a large area. That second photo looks like the skin tag reattached in a funny position.

[ConcinusMan]

I have seen healed injuries like that one. Of course, the scales generally don't grow back and the scar area isn't as tough as the original skin and scales. The dark coloration is just melanin from the area being exposed to the sun, and the melanin of course, is a good thing.

Seems like this rescue doesn't need rescuing. it's pretty much healed and now with the melanin, is pretty well protected from UV.

[Snakers]

very nice save, one of the big female easterns had a lot of little injuries that looked like that......

[ConcinusMan]

I've seen a northwestern survive far worse. I hit with a lawn mower. It's back was broken, ribs showing, lots of skin missing, and it went limp. I figured it would die quickly so I tossed it aside.

A few years later and much bigger, I found that snake again, complete with kinked spine and scars. Little sucker made it!

[i_heart_sneakie_snakes]

I've seen a northwestern survive far worse. I hit with a lawn mower. It's back was broken, ribs showing, lots of skin missing, and it went limp. I figured it would die quickly so I tossed it aside.


That almost made me cry :( Literally. Poor little guy. I am glad he made it. That must have been horrible for each of you, in very different ways.

[mustang]

you sure it may be a little "scaleless"? not by injury but by genetics

[guidofatherof5]

you sure it may be a little "scaleless"? not by injury but by genetics

No, I don't think so. It has some trauma around the edge. Still, I just don't know what to think about it. Very strange looking to me.
Otherwise the snake is healthy and active.

[Snakers]

I KNOW WHAT TO DO! Buy some snake skin boots, cut out a piece of them and sew it onto the snake:D

[mustang]

I KNOW WHAT TO DO! Buy some snake skin boots, cut out a piece of them and sew it onto the snake:D
omg FAILED SCALE GRAFTING!!! GET LIVING GATER SCARE TISSUE AND MAKE IT "GATOR-ADIX"!!!!! (gatoraid will have a new spokes animal)

[ConcinusMan]

Omg:rolleyes:

The forum has gone completely mad.:p

[guidofatherof5]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/saved11.jpg

I gave her the boot out the back door last night. She gave me a load of musk as a going away gift. I saw no reason to keep her. The wound appeared to be doing fine.
We also had a thunderstorm and rain moving in. Cooler weather on tap for the next 5 days.
I felt it was a perfect time for her the go. I'm sure I'll see her again as the year comes to an end. Maybe on the radix channel as she moves into the den.

[Snakers]

Good job, Steve.

[guidofatherof5]

She'll be easy to spot amongst the other hundred or so radixes in the backyard.:D

[mustang]

ya some mark call spot "spot"
"see spot ? no that one no to the left yes the deformed one!"
see spot slither?
ewww smell spots scent?(musk)
silly sly spot"

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

This is an Oregon Garter from a few years back...

http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/oregon_garter_snake2A_-_no_fk_salmon_river_-_06-17-2007.jpg
http://www.humboldtherps.com/images/oregon_garter_snake2C_-_no_fk_salmon_river_-_06-17-2007.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

Ouch. Looks like he survived a big gaping hole in his side. I don't have pics but I was amazed that the northwestern I hit with the lawn mower survived in the wild without treatment. He also had a gaping hole, broken back and even bare ribs showing.

[guidofatherof5]

While doing some reorganizing of the small and large snakes rooms I came across a dark phase male radix. I have no one on the escaped list so he must be a visitor.
I'm concerned in that he is very skinny with that fold of skin on the lower 3rd of his body.
I think he is very savable.
First to rehydrate him then get some food in his belly. I'll start him off with a first meal of a few worm chunks. That should get his system started up. He's a good looking male.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/saved3.jpg

[kibakiba]

He's a cute looking little boy. Hopefully you can get him eating and healthy. He looks absolutely lovely :D

[Mommy2many]

Good luck!

[guidofatherof5]

I just found another. This one looks a lot worse than the little male.
The first one ate 4 guppies and this second one grabbed a piece of worm but didn't eat it.
I'll give this second one a night to rehydrate then try the food again.

[ConcinusMan]

WT...?

[guidofatherof5]

WT...?

Explain?

[ConcinusMan]

What the...?

another?

[guidofatherof5]

Yes, another. I'm not sure he'll make it through the night.
I'm hoping he'll hang on with the water he drank but he's very skinny. He may be too far gone. Nice looking light phase female T.radix.

[guidofatherof5]

The little light phase female(second snake found) died during the night.
When I left the snake room I knew time was short.
I sure wish the little one would have come out earlier so I could have helped.

[gregmonsta]

Seems quite odd to find two like this in a similar state. It's an interesting one. Localised weather? Or did they get lost in the bowels of the house?

[guidofatherof5]

Seems quite odd to find two like this in a similar state. It's an interesting one. Localised weather? Or did they get lost in the bowels of the house?

These were not mine. They came in from the outside.
The first one caught is doing great.
Eating like a good piggy radix. Already starting to fill out. I think most of it
was dehydration.

[Mommy2many]

I'm so sorry for the little one that was lost last night. At least you can help the other little piggy!

[guidofatherof5]

The other piggy took a pinky tonight.