Reptile-ology 101

POSTED BY: Tristan
UPDATED: Monday, June 19, 2006 10:05
VIEWED: 8046
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TRISTAN

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 5:34 PM

With your esteemed speaker, EmmaRigby!

*thunderous applause as she enters the lecture room*

So, EmmaRigby, what have you been working on lately?

Holding until you get back, Captain.

EMMARIGBY

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 5:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Tristan:
With your esteemed speaker, EmmaRigby!

*thunderous applause as she enters the lecture room*

So, EmmaRigby, what have you been working on lately?

Holding until you get back, Captain.

Gosh!

You're so kind! I've only ever lectured to 7 year olds so far, although I aim to one day be an elbow-patched crusty academic!

If you're really interested I'm currently working on my Master's degree in Animal Science with the bowel looseningly frightening title of "The establishment of a translocated population of Grass Snakes (Natrix natrix) at the London Wetland Centre and the impacts on existing herpetofauna"!

I've not even started writing up my findings yet, I'm still looking for the 127 snakes we released back in September. So far I've seen 16! I think they're hiding!

Anyway, if anyone's interested in reptiles I'll do my best to answer questions.

Probably best to keep it Reptile 101, as sometimes I get funny looks when I say I'm a herpetologist. I think people believe I study Herpes or something!

TRISTAN

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 6:02 PM

Alright, not knowing much about grass snakes I will ask the basics...coloration, maximum size, life span, diet...anything that might be pertinent. Also, where did they originally come from? (The 127 you released).
Thanks for humoring me. My life-long quest is for knowledge...and I love talking to people about their specialties!

Holding until you get back, Captain.

DAYVE

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 6:14 PM

Hope you guys don't mind.... I brought this over from the other thread after you posted this one...

Quote:
Originally posted by EmmaRigby:
the big pythons!!

Hi EmmaRigby...
I'm not sure where you and Tristan are going with this snake thing, other than the whole 'snake in the grass', reference that some women make about men..., but I had to chime in with this little tale.

In one of my many different occupations, in a time long ago and far, far away... i was employed by a couple who raised, bought and sold, mainly African antelope to zoos and some ranches around the U.S. Now these weren't just run of the mill animal dealers. They had a compound in central Texas that would rival many of the zoos that i visited. They were accredited with the AAZPA (american assoc. of zooligical parks & aquariums), and they loved animals and in turn wanted to do their best to help establish herds of endangered species in this country.

The salesman for this company was a Herpetologist who had worked for the Ft. Worth, TX zoo. John was a big, good natured guy who carried a reminder of a rather ugly snake bite on his little finger - his finger was permanetly curved inward - he had lost all sensation in that area, but he LOVED snakes - and in texas, as you can imagine, there is an abundance of snake skin boots, belts, hat bands and people who just plain don't like snakes. There was more than one ocassion when i had to break up "discusions" between John and some red-neck about his footwear.

Through my association with John, and, i suppose my own pacifist nature, i too, grew to like and admire reptiles. I kept a healthy respect for them though.

So, once I was making a run from Albuquerque, NM back to Texas. I think i was hauling zebra at the time, but I was also to bring back something for the local zoo.... and was given a small box that i put into the sleeper compartment of the truck....right behind me... behind my head.

When i made the delivery to the zoo, a keeper asked me if i would like to see the snake....well it turned out to be an African Green Pit viper.... not the kind of guy you want running around in your mattress. After that, I was a little more cautious about where I put the snake boxes....

that's the tale... a little too long, hopefully not too boring... the point being.....snakes are ok in my book...

TRISTAN

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 6:17 PM

Yes, Dayve, respect the snake!
All kidding aside, I like them, but don't know enough about them. I used to live in Arizona, and always stumbled across rattlers and other snakes I did not recognize. I've held corn snakes and boas before, but only when the owner/handler was there. I respect and admire them...at a distance!

Holding until you get back, Captain.

EMMARIGBY

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 6:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Tristan:
Alright, not knowing much about grass snakes I will ask the basics...coloration, maximum size, life span, diet...anything that might be pertinent. Also, where did they originally come from? (The 127 you released).
Thanks for humoring me. My life-long quest is for knowledge...and I love talking to people about their specialties!

Holding until you get back, Captain.

Hopefully I've just managed to attach a shiny picture of one of my little darlings! Grass snakes are one of only two snake species native to Britain. (I'm so jealose of other countries like the US or Australia with their wealth of reptiles!)

The ones we've released have come from a building site in Kent. This is common practise by big building firms. If there are snakes on the site they are still given planning permission as long as they collect up all they can find and release them elsewhere. This is usually done very haphazardly. They're often dumped somewhere with little or no follow up to see if they survive the experience. It can be considered a successful move if someone goes back the next year and manages to see just 1 individual! (They don't have to say if the population is healthy and breeding! Grr, I hate our quick-fix capitalist society!!)

Anyway, I'm hoping to eventually publish something so say whether this translocation has worked and advise whether the practise as a whole is an effective conservation mitigation strategy. There is almost nothing out there in scientific journals on this subject! I've heard by word of mouth of other release projects but when they fail they tend to be brushed under the carpet in shame, thereby allowing others to repeat the mistakes over and over! Sorry for the rant but I get very passionate about this!

Anyway! As to your original question:

Colour: Varies from olive green to brown with the ocasional black bar/ patch. They have a pretty gold and black collar around their neck. Luckily for me (for ID purposes) the black and white chequering of their bellies is distictive and unique for each one!

Length: Average adult length is about 1m, but a few grow up to about 140cm

Lifespan: up to 25 years (if left alone!)

Diet: Frods, toads, newts, small rodents etc when mature. Wormd and intertebrates when younger.

Anything else? Or have I bored you now?!

I have also studied snakes in Africa and Peru (but just as a volunteer conservation worker). Ahhh! The Amazon basin! I did so love it there!

Must go cook tea now!

TRISTAN

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 7:00 PM

Pretty snake! Yes, the picture came out wonderfully!
I was not aware that in Britain, builders were required to remove life forms and relocate them...that's actually a pretty good idea. I know you don't sound too happy about how they are doing it, but they are doing it...not sure it would get done here in the US.
Have grass snakes become rare/endangered in Britain?
Africa! Peru! What did you manage to find in those countries (I mean, were they cataloging a specific species)? I would love to hear about those trips, if you have the time.

No, you are by no means boring me. Like I said, I like talking to people about their loves...and I think I have found one of yours

Holding until you get back, Captain.

EMMARIGBY

Wednesday, May 10, 2006 8:18 AM

Sorry I didn't get back to you last night, I ended up having a Buffy commentary party with my sister!

As to your question, grass snakes are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 over here, which means it is an offence to kill, harm or injure them sell or trade them in any way. However, if there isn't a local conservation society looking out for them they tend to just get ignored and disregarded.

I'd love to regail you with story's from my expeditions. I have a tonne, funny and ... ok, not so sexy!

Sadly, I am currently running late (as usual) and have to dash off again back to my snakes. I'll look forward to catching up with you in a couple of days!

Now.... Here, snakey snakeys! Come to mummy!!

CITIZEN

Wednesday, May 10, 2006 8:33 AM

I keep a Californian Corn Snake, Male and his names Rusty, because he's, erm, Rust coloured.

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
And as you know, these are open forums, you're able to come and listen to what I have to say.

TRISTAN

Wednesday, May 10, 2006 12:40 PM

EmmaRigby, thank you again for the information. I look forward to hearing all about your exploits in faraway, steamy jungles hunting elusive prey...alright, it may not beexactly that way, but I still want to hear about it when you have time. I shall be here, waiting!

Holding until you get back, Captain.

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