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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
 Posted - 01/04/2004 : 22:18:34 [Permalink]
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| I know some of you have heard this story before, but a coworker of mine went to a little town in the middle of Australia on a business trip, and after finding out he'd be sharing his motel room with geckoes, found a King Brown snake sunning itself outside his door the next morning. So, he closed the door, and called the front desk. They sent a maid over with a broom to shoo the snake (allegedly one of the legendary "ten deadliest") away. |
- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
Why not question something for a change?
Visit Dave's Psoriasis Info, too. |
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9688 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2004 : 14:32:55 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by filthy
Probably an Indigo (Drymarchon corais), if the scales were smooth. A Black Ratsnake (Elaphe obsoleta) if they were keeled -- less likely, I think. The indigos are a very good snake to demonstrate to an audience. Wish I had one.
Hmm... Black Ratsnake sounds familiar. I now remember thinking "Did he say Rat snake, or Rattler? Does rattle-snakes come in black? without a rattler? Well, if he let me hold it, it can't be thatdangerous..."
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Woody D
Skeptic Friend
Thailand
285 Posts |
Posted - 01/07/2004 : 22:34:45 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by filthy
As can be seen, there's really no cut and dried rule on this. Usually, when asked, I tell people that the most dangerous hot snake in the world is the one I didn't see and is about to bite me.
What a great answer.
Now that I think about it, each one has something unique about it. As 'they' say, comparing apples and oranges. Who's to say that the Spitting Cobra is more dangerous than a supprize from a pit viper Rattler blending into the sand that you suddenly come across. They all have their own defenses. As you said, the situation you are in at the time is the dangerous one. And if you don't know you needed to get to a hosptial then it's more deadly.
quote:
Now, don't you wish you hadn't got me started on this? 
Nope! I could talk about snakes all day. Anytime you want Fifthy. I always want to learn more.
And WOW, did you say you have a Cottenmouth? Cool! I'd be too afraid but would love to look inside it's mouth to see the reason they have that name (not just a picture). Must be interesting. |
www.Carabao.net
As long as there's, you know, sex and drugs, I can do without the rock and roll.
Mick Shrimpton
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| Edited by - Woody D on 01/07/2004 22:41:30 |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2004 : 04:47:48 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Dr. Mabuse
quote:
Originally posted by filthy
Probably an Indigo (Drymarchon corais), if the scales were smooth. A Black Ratsnake (Elaphe obsoleta) if they were keeled -- less likely, I think. The indigos are a very good snake to demonstrate to an audience. Wish I had one.
Hmm... Black Ratsnake sounds familiar. I now remember thinking "Did he say Rat snake, or Rattler? Does rattle-snakes come in black? without a rattler? Well, if he let me hold it, it can't be thatdangerous..."
Out of some 80+ species and subspecies of Rattlesnake (this is changing even as we speak, what with DNA testing), none are normaly solid black. However, I have found 2 totally melinistic specmens, both Timber Rattlers (Crotalus h. horridus). One, a large male, I left where I found, the other, a juvenile male, I kept for several years, then donated to an educational program. Melinism is common in Timbers, but only rarely are they solid black. In other species it is much less common.
Snake, I love the Cottons for no good reason I can think of. Seems I've either always had one around or was looking for them -- before getting so crippled up, I spent a lot of time in swamps. They use that white mouth lining as a threat display. It's really something to see, and I can never take it seriously. Interestingly, the Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)does the same thing, except it's lining is purplish black. The snake, which is actually an attractive slate-grey, get's it's name from this.
Cottons have more personality than many people I know. They are very inquisitive, and I've had them approach me to within a couple of feet from my boots. Also, they will often stand their ground and gape widely, and occasionly even fight an intruder (in the field, I've never seen one actually pick a fight, but I have it on good enough authority to mention it. I don't think it happens often).
The big danger with Cottons is that they can be hard to see in their habitate, raising the possibility on an accident. A defensive bite from one, while rarely fatal even without treatment, is pretty nasty, and I've neither had nor heard of a dry bite from one. The book sez they reach a length of some 6 feet, but I don't believe it. 5' 3'', give or take a couple, is the biggest I've ever measured, and that was the biggest I've ever seen. And that includes a lot of Cottons. The fractious Gomez is something over four, slightly on the large side of average. Incidently, I raised this little monster from the size of fishbait. the female, not quite 3 feet, on the other hand, was given to me by a friend when the male got too crazy to present.
Hey Dave, a belated Many Thanks for articles on the big py. I think they nicely document the hilarious and pathetic bullshit surrounding this unhappy animal.
Edited to add: The Brown Snake (don't got the Latin to hand) is indeed considered one of the heavy hitters. Australia is unique in that it is the only continent to have more venomous species than non-venomous. |
"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist! 
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| Edited by - filthy on 01/08/2004 04:51:51 |
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2004 : 20:25:43 [Permalink]
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filthy wrote:quote:
Hey Dave, a belated Many Thanks for articles on the big py. I think they nicely document the hilarious and pathetic bullshit surrounding this unhappy animal.
Especially if those pics are of the snake.
By the way, I was actually interested in the possibilities regarding the molting schedule, whether it's possible to tell if a snake has a rotting animal inside without slicing the snake, and the typical snake's length-to-diameter ratio. Also, if a python were to get to 47 feet in length, would 1,000 pounds be about right?
What? You think this is all fun-and-games? I'm here to learn things, dangit!quote:
Australia is unique in that it is the only continent to have more venomous species than non-venomous.
And they've got all those marsupials, too. And that wonderful accent. And road trains. Australia is so coooool. |
- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
Why not question something for a change?
Visit Dave's Psoriasis Info, too. |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2004 : 11:30:37 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Dave W.
filthy wrote:quote:
Hey Dave, a belated Many Thanks for articles on the big py. I think they nicely document the hilarious and pathetic bullshit surrounding this unhappy animal.
Especially if those pics are of the snake.
By the way, I was actually interested in the possibilities regarding the molting schedule, whether it's possible to tell if a snake has a rotting animal inside without slicing the snake, and the typical snake's length-to-diameter ratio. Also, if a python were to get to 47 feet in length, would 1,000 pounds be about right?
What? You think this is all fun-and-games? I'm here to learn things, dangit!quote:
Australia is unique in that it is the only continent to have more venomous species than non-venomous.
And they've got all those marsupials, too. And that wonderful accent. And road trains. Australia is so coooool.
Oy veh, such a can of woims you've opened up!
Ok, digestion is by far the most energetic thing a snake does. If the meal begins to rot, it will quickly poison the animal, and this within only a few days, or a week at longest. It is after digestion that things slow down inside such snakes as Boids (Pythons, Boas) and the big Vipers. Elapids (Cobras, and so forth) have a much higher metabolism and process things faster. Some of these (but not the elapids, who seem to enjoy turning their enclosures into port-a-pottys at every opportunity) might only defecate 3 or 4 time a tear, in spite of feeding as many as a couple of times a month (an unlucky snake might only feed a couple of times a year, with little ill effect beyond some weight loss). My afore-mentioned Puff Adder gets a large rat once a month and she might goes as long as 90 days between dumps. I'm going to cut her back a tad, as she's getting a shade porky. The same schedual will be kept, but the meal will be smaller. Incidently, when this snake and the other Bitis I keep finally get around to takeing a dump, it's a doozy!
About twenty years ago, I was given a large, wild-caught, Timber Rattlesnake. It was healthy, but I decided to give it a good worming with an assisted feeding. Toward that end, I called a friend over to help, and while waiting on him, I loaded a thawed rat with worm dope obtained from the vet -- I think it was PanaCure. I made the mistake of leaving the rat and the medicine, on the table while I made a quick beer run. My friend showed up in my absence, and seeing everything handy, he loaded the rat as well. I got home and we did the job with no harm to the snake and no embarrassing puncture wounds in ourselves. So, we kicked back with a beer and, as might be expected, started talking snake. Then, he mentioned the dose he'd given the rat, which on top of my own dose, was a fat double, and a possible/probable snake killer. That rat had to come out of there, ain't no ands, buts, or maybes about it.
It is done thus: The front 1/3 of the snake is restrained by putting it into a tube and held by one big dummy whilst his fellow idiot applies gentle pressure behind the bulge of the meal. The pressure is worked forward and the meal is literally milked out of the snake. This or a variation of it will work on any snake and is occasionally used by field researchers, from whom I learned it as a mere stripling.
Would a 47 foot python weigh 1/2 ton? Maybe, but I have doubts. There are too many varibles. If it were obese, it might come close, but if it were of normal configuration, it would be considerably lighter. An Anaconda that size might ease a bit toward it, as they have a stockier build, but still would come up light, I think. There's no way to verify it.
Molting: More variables. Some will shed only once or twice a year, and others as many as four or five times. Much of it depende upon the animals general condition and growth rate. Reptiles grow throughout their lives, but slow almost to nothing as they age -- the python in question would have to be 100+ years old to be 47, freakin' feet long! So, an older snake will not shed quite as often as a younger one. The same holds true for lizards.
I'm delighted to be passing on this info. I'll happily keep doing it as long as anyone's interested.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist!
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Woody D
Skeptic Friend
Thailand
285 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2004 : 18:28:32 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by filthy
I'm delighted to be passing on this info. I'll happily keep doing it as long as anyone's interested.
Cool Filthy, many thanks.
I can't think of any questions right now BUT there will be some later, I'm sure. I do see you really know what you are talking about.
BTW, I'll be going to Thailand fairly soon, is there anything I can get for you? (not live!) Phamlets or information for example. Would be happy to collect some and send it to you. Although I'm not planning for this trip to be a sight seeing one. But if I do go to anywhere there are snakes I surly will take more photos. Have some interesting ones from a long time ago. A King Cobra! (I was only feet away with no barrier, shooting away - What me worry!) And one of me with a Boa around my neck.
And perhaps you can suggest some people or places I don't know about, I could try to get to them. |
www.Carabao.net
As long as there's, you know, sex and drugs, I can do without the rock and roll.
Mick Shrimpton
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2004 : 20:00:05 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Woody D
quote:
Originally posted by filthy
I'm delighted to be passing on this info. I'll happily keep doing it as long as anyone's interested.
Cool Filthy, many thanks.
I can't think of any questions right now BUT there will be some later, I'm sure. I do see you really know what you are talking about.
BTW, I'll be going to Thailand fairly soon, is there anything I can get for you? (not live!) Phamlets or information for example. Would be happy to collect some and send it to you. Although I'm not planning for this trip to be a sight seeing one. But if I do go to anywhere there are snakes I surly will take more photos. Have some interesting ones from a long time ago. A King Cobra! (I was only feet away with no barrier, shooting away - What me worry!) And one of me with a Boa around my neck.
And perhaps you can suggest some people or places I don't know about, I could try to get to them.
A King (Ophiophagus hannah)! You are blessed!
My experience with these is limited, but the couple I've dealt with (long term captives) were pussycats; very calm. However, this snake can be extraordinarly dangerous. They reach a length of some 18 feet and are the lergest venomous snake in the world. They are specialized feeders, eating only other snakes, although some captives have been weaned over to rodents by scenting with snake musk. I'm told that it doesn't always work.
Please promise me that you will never again allow one of the giant constrictors around your neck. The Common, or Columbian Boa (too lazy to look up the Latin, and I assume that's what it is because the aborial species are too foul tempered to handle) reaches a length of perhaps 14 feet. When it gets to some 5 or 6 feet long, it's strength becomes very apparent and even dangerous. You would not be the first to be badly choked down by a 'pet' Boa or Python.
These big snakes are highly popular in the pet trade -- and let me state right now that there is no such thing as a pet snake and that holds for any reptile. As beautiful as they are, and as docil as many become in captivity, they are still wild animals with all of the instincts evolution has given them. Anyhow, that said (preached?), the trade in the big squeezers is unfathomable to me. Captive bred neonates are widely sold to, forgive me, a stupid public and many soon die. The survivors very quickly out grow the fish tanks they're kept in and quarting them gets to be a problem. Who wants to dedicate an entire room in their homes to some big, dumb snake? Actually, I have a room I can quickly fix up for one. I sometimes get them in and have to quarter them until I can find a good home for them. Not always easy.
Another porblem is that the idiot who buys the snake, has it outgrow it's quarters, then can't bear, or is too ignorant, to call the snake man. So, they release it. Or, stupider yet, it escapes.
At last report, Common Boa, Burmese Python, Specticaled Caiman, Giant Green Iguana, possibly Monicled Cobra, and many, many others have established populations, mainly but not restricted to, the Everglades. Most chilling of all, I've read a reliable report of a sighting of a Nile Monitor. The state of Florida is ecologicly fucked.
Argh, too much gloom and doom, here. Snake, if you want a snake, get yourself one or a dozen. I'm all for it. But don't get the baby one(s) if you can't keep the adult(s) with competence. I don't know if you want a snake, but if you do, I will help. Qualified, private keepers could be the salvation of some species. I myself, hope to set up a breeding/stocking program for the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus). They're in short supply in NC.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist!
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Woody D
Skeptic Friend
Thailand
285 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2004 : 01:06:22 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by filthy
A King (Ophiophagus hannah)! You are blessed!
Really! I didn't know. It was in Thailand and I didn't think anything of it. Sorry if I mislead you Filthy, it was at the Snake Farm under the watchful eye of the handlers. (I naively hope) But it was out in the open and probably could have done what it wanted. I was just too excited to be near it to care.
quote:
Please promise me that you will never again allow one of the giant constrictors around your neck.
You know what, that was several years ago and at that time I only loved snakes but didn't know as much about them. When I think back it does give me pause to think, that it also could have done what it wanted even though it was under very controlled conditions, again at the Snake Farm. Ok, I promise. BTW, I also kissed it on it's head, have a photo of that too, I think. They are so soft and cute, how could one not want to be affectionate toward them.
The Red Cross Snake Farm is a research hosptial, it appears they do care about the snakes. So I don't think they'd do anything to put the snakes in danger.They teach people about them too. And supply anti-venom country wide.
quote:
Argh, too much gloom and doom, here. Snake, if you want a snake, get yourself one or a dozen. I'm all for it. But don't get the baby one(s) if you can't keep the adult(s) with competence. I don't know if you want a snake, but if you do, I will help. Qualified, private keepers could be the salvation of some species. I myself, hope to set up a breeding/stocking program for the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus). They're in short supply in NC.
I've done dog rescue and am into animal rights so I know how people can be when they don't think about what they are doing.
Because I have wanted to get a 'pet' snake I studied up on which ones would be good for my situation. Just as anyone should do for a breed of dog or any other animal for their life style. I've come to the conclusion I probably should not have a snake. As much as I'd really, really like one. There are only about 3 kinds that don't eat animals. Even if I got one that would eat frozen mice, I couldn't handle feeding them. I know it's nature but I just can't. Perhaps I'll think about the bug eating snakes but aren't they very small? I'd want a decent sized snake, 3 or 4 feet at least.
I plan to get back into rescue after I move so maybe there'll be room for snakes too. If I do short term fostering, LOL, maybe I'll get one in between feedings and it can go onto another home before I have to deal with that.
Thanks again for all that more info. |
www.Carabao.net
As long as there's, you know, sex and drugs, I can do without the rock and roll.
Mick Shrimpton
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| Edited by - Woody D on 01/10/2004 01:14:50 |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2004 : 04:18:04 [Permalink]
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Yes, the insectivores do tend to be on the small side. And I really must ask: what is the difference between the life of a cricket and that of a mouse?
I buy my rodents from an outfit in TX that supplies zoos as well as private keepers. Here's the adderss:
http://www.themousefactory.com/
They raise the rodents, humanely euthanize them, vacume pack and freeze them. A problem for the owner of a single snake is that you end up with too many, and if you can't re-vacume pack them (I can, and a machine can be found at Wal(gag)Mart), you'll end up with freezer burn, and have to throw some away. The best idea is to get a group of snake freaks together and order a lot of them to get a better price.
As soon as possible, the snake should be taken off mice and given rats. Rats are more nutritious.
I rarely feed live. Too much of a risk of the snake being bitten and injured. Every once in a while, someone gives me a rank, old hamster that has managed to bite everyone that comes near it, to the sheer joy of either the Bitis or the resident, Eastern Diamondback. I should smack them in the head before feeding, but hate to do it. Which is another reason that I let The Mouse Factory do my dirty work.
When/if you get a snake, I'd suggest one of the Kingsnakes or a Ratsnake (but not one of the Asian 'Beauty' snakes, also genus Elaphe, which tend to be a tad ill-tempered), such as the snake Doc met. These are always mild natured and good feeders -- generally easy keepers. They grow to some five or six feet and a big one is impressive. Also, one of the smaller Pythons, such as a Ball Python would be a good choice, although they require a little more temperture control. Avoid the aborial constrictors such as the Emerald and Rainbow Boas, as these, while beautiful, have truly vile dispositions, and very large teeth. Years ago, I had a hand all but mangled by a 5 foot Emerald.
And hereza trick that all big-snake and lizard keepers should bear in mind: keep a bottle of cheap wine handy. If bitten and the animal won't let go, take a slug of it and spit it in it's face. Works every time. It is important to only use the cheapest of wine. If you use anything that's any good, you might swallow instead of spit. When I get a big'un in, I keep a bottle of Night Train on hand for just this purpose.
By the way, are you sure the snake you held was a Boa? These are not native to Thailand, although there are several species of Python there. In some countries, notably in Africa, all big snakes are refered to as 'Boas'. Common names suck.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist!
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Woody D
Skeptic Friend
Thailand
285 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2004 : 12:13:48 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by filthy
Yes, the insectivores do tend to be on the small side. And I really must ask: what is the difference between the life of a cricket and that of a mouse?
Good question Filthy. There's another folder on this web site with just that discusion too. It's too early in the morn for me to remember which one now. As someone on there said.....something about drawing a line, etc., etc.
For me I guess it's the idea that a mouse is cute, it's furie, it thinks, etc. Whereas a bug is creepy and there are so many of them. (yes, there are so many mice too and each severs a purpous in nature, but I'm talking emotions) Also, and I realize it might not be the case, I'm thinking the snake can catch it's own food/bugs, I don't have to take an active part in the murder and see what's going on.
quote:
When/if you get a snake, I'd suggest one of the Kingsnakes or a Ratsnake (but not one of the Asian 'Beauty' snakes, also genus Elaphe, which tend to be a tad ill-tempered), such as the snake Doc met. These are always mild natured and good feeders -- generally easy keepers. They grow to some five or six feet and a big one is impressive. Also, one of the smaller Pythons, such as a Ball Python would be a good choice, although they require a little more temperture control. Avoid the aborial constrictors such as the Emerald and Rainbow Boas, as these, while beautiful, have truly vile dispositions, and very large teeth. Years ago, I had a hand all but mangled by a 5 foot Emerald.
Thanks, yes. Thought about that too. Probably would never get a Boa but I do have a name picked out so it woulda been nice to have one.
Have you ever heard of someone naming one, Feathers?
Speaking of temperture control, don't you think it's a good idea to have a snake (or anything for that matter) that's native to an area? Then there's one less thing to worry about.
Of course I wouldn't want a Rattle Snake. (California)
quote:
And hereza trick that all big-snake and lizard keepers should bear in mind: keep a bottle of cheap wine handy. If bitten and the animal won't let go, take a slug of it and spit it in it's face. Works every time. It is important to only use the cheapest of wine. If you use anything that's any good, you might swallow instead of spit. When I get a big'un in, I keep a bottle of Night Train on hand for just this purpose.
Gee, we learn something new all the time! That's interesting. I'd a never thought of that. But I don't drink.....vine!
quote:
By the way, are you sure the snake you held was a Boa? These are not native to Thailand, although there are several species of Python there. In some countries, notably in Africa, all big snakes are refered to as 'Boas'. Common names suck.
You are correct again! I almost was going to mention that I really wasn't sure. As I said I didn't know as much about snakes then. Amatures, think anything that's big and coils around you and isn't poisions is a Boa, right? And I don't remember if they said or I just assumed.
This trip if I have a chance, will go there and see/ask or dig out the old photos someday and show you. |
www.Carabao.net
As long as there's, you know, sex and drugs, I can do without the rock and roll.
Mick Shrimpton
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| Edited by - Woody D on 01/10/2004 12:19:03 |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2004 : 13:54:34 [Permalink]
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Again, you are blessed. CA has several species of Lampropeltis, the Kingsnakes, includong albinos, if you go for sickly white (I don't). They all make excellent 'pet' snakes. I always reccommend buying one from a breeder and leave the wild specmins in the wild.
Your assignment for this coming spring is to beg, borrow, steal, or if all else fails, buy the Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders. Once aquired, go out in the brush with it, a magnifing glass, a thermos & sandwich, and a camera (optional), find a comfortable place to sit, then just watch closely. I can spend hours doing this and have seen a lot of really neat things. Jumping spiders are living jewerly, and I've seen their courtship rituals (much leg-waving and scuttling about).
It takes a little patience, and you might have to move a few times, but it's always rewarding. If you see a Rattlesnake or a Western Coral your only, medically signifcent venomous, just leave it alone. It won't attack you and makes for a good photo op, from a judicious distance, and a story to tell. While on that subject, in snake country, get in the habit of always looking where you put your feet and checking first before sitting down. Do not explore holes with your hand. It could be very painful, as I too-well know.
And if you see one of the cute & fluffies out there, remember: it can pass on the hanta virus and plague, endemic in our western rodents, and ain't they just the sweetist li'l thangs?
Incidently, some entological observations in Thialand would also be rewarding. Rig up a white, cloth cylinder perhaps 18 inches in diameter and a couple of feet long, and suspend a low wattage light in it and hang it up somewhere. Turn out all other lights. Asian moths are well worth checking out, as are the dinurnal butterflies. A good camera is a must-have, here.
I'm not reccommending my personal favorites, but I have a weakness for spiders, scorps, and centapedes. Rookie bug-watchers should work themselves up to these gradually.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist!
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Randy
SFN Regular
USA
1990 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2004 : 16:33:57 [Permalink]
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Harghm....calling Filthy! You called that 50 foot python story like a good skeptic should...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0%2C3604%2C1116074%2C00.html
Indeed, "coming up well short" does not do justice to the disparity between the claimed length and the length I measured. If Fragrant ever extends to 14.85m long he will be the most mind-boggling animal on earth because I measured him at somewhere between 6.5 and 7m. |
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2004 : 16:52:49 [Permalink]
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Thanks for the explanations, filthy. And thanks to Randy for posting the Guardian story, which I'd heard hints of on the radio this afternoon.
One of the radio personalities who was discussing it said that it must have been cold when they re-measured the snake.
By the way, filthy, is this an example of a "fat" snake, or do Burmese pythons always taper so quickly at the tail end? (Can you tell if that's even a Burmese?) |
- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2004 : 17:08:10 [Permalink]
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Sounds about right, Randy. From the pics, I guesed it at something over 20 feet, possibly 25, but no more than that. Glad to know that my eyeball ain't dead yet.
Did you actually measure it yourself? Damn, wish I could have been there!
If you've seen the snake up close and personal, what is it's general condition? I saw a brief segment on tv, and I wasn't sure about it's health, as it's jaws looked a little uneven; a sign of possible canker-mouth. Of course, as the segment was brief and the photography was not all that great, I'm far from sure.
Ah jeez, as the local snake-man, I hear and have to refute a great deal of bullshit from people who know doodly-squat and don't care to learn. It gets tiresome, I swear it does.
Many thanks for the confirmation.
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