Thursday, May 23, 2013

Snakes!

The weather is finally warming up here in the sage-brush steppes and that means that the reptiles are finally coming out of hibernation. I have noticed a lot more snakes basking themselves on the gravel roads and have taken the opportunity to run out and try to catch them, Steve Irwin-style. I've had doubts about grabbing them but after some practice and confidence I can handle them safely now. The only venomous snake in Nevada are the Great Basin rattlesnakes. I have not encountered a live rattlesnakes but my co-workers have. I have been taking precautions for this by watching where I step and not listening to music when I am out hiking- just so I can hear their warning rattle.

roadkill rattler

So I took his tail. Judging by the number of buttons, it was a juvenile.

Great Basin Gopher Snake, or Bullsnake

I got him by the tail!

Got him! It was at least 3.5ft long

Beautiful patterns

circular eyes, oval head= non-venomous


Unknown snake on the road, I was too slow to catch. 

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5 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 27, 2013 at 6:07 PM

    OMG!!! So many snakes! Bear Grylls would've been proud to make that catch. What did you do with the snakes that you caught?! Eat them? Capture them? Keep them as a pet? Ughhhh..... I cannot imagine having a snake as a pet. They bug me. But I have held a big snake around my neck. Scary, but cool. :)

    - Kaira

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  2. AnonymousMay 28, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    thats one BIG snake! be careful!

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  3. AnonymousJune 6, 2013 at 4:03 PM

    Thanks again for the bird cards! The mallard is very detailed on the front. Actually, I haven't started summer yet. I get out tomorrow. Yes we did get a new dog. She's a long haired dachshund and her name is lady, from lady and the tramp. Rocky is kinda jealous. They've been playing a lot. My dad says that we're going to either south padre or port Aransas around mid August.

    Kaira

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  4. AnonymousJune 8, 2013 at 12:31 PM

    Happy birthday tam! Mimi told me you got he day off yesterday. Enjoy your day!

    Kaira

    ReplyDelete
  5. phutranJuly 30, 2013 at 9:29 AM

    Update your blog. We want to see more beautiful pictures

    ReplyDelete

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