Snakes. Why'd it have to be snakes?

05/31/2008 11:48:20 PM · #1

Ok - got some of my Serpentarium photos uploaded.
Here are a few - more can be found in my profile (plus I went there again today so need to edit some additional photos!).

05/31/2008 06:55:23 PM · #2

Originally posted by sfalice:

Glad to see all this discussion about snakes.

LOL. Just as someone expresses appreciation for a thread on snakes... it stops dead in its tracks.

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

05/28/2008 07:17:35 PM · #3

Glad to see all this discussion about snakes. Beautiful creatures, and they do a lot of useful work in this world of ours.

On one of our SF GTGs we found a gopher snake. While I wish I had backed off and taken a picture of all of us taking pictures of this little guy, I�m still pleased with my shot.

One more snake story. Some years ago (1996) I was traveling in India with friends in a car. We were stopped at a railroad crossing in the Rajasthani desert for a long while. While my friends dozed, we were approached by a couple of young boys with a container about the size of a shoebox with from 8 to 10 baby cobras in it. You know they looked just like a bunch of #2 pencils with very fancy erasers. I did have sense enough not to put my hand in the box. But they were cute little things.

05/28/2008 06:22:33 PM · #4

Yeah, BP's are pretty cool. I have thought about getting one or two for at least pets. The ones I really like though are always the most expensive morphs!
My roommate has a normal male and a female that could produce piebalds....

Right now what I am waiting to get (already put down a deposit) is a Solomon Island Ground Boa - specifically an Isabel:
Isabel Ground Boa photos

When I get it - it will be the single most expensive snake in my collection!
Nice thing about these boas is similar to BP's - they don't get huge. On rare occasions one may reach 6ft, but in general they stay in the 2-3ft range. And I just love the stark white background with the dark zigzag patterning - that is what I have a deposit on.

Message edited by author 2008-05-28 18:23:59.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/28/2008 06:15:27 PM · #5

Originally posted by Trinch:

Arpeggio, you may want to consider adding Royal Pythons (aka Ball Python) to your inventory.

My son Isaac with my dad's Ball Python ...

05/28/2008 05:37:43 PM · #6

Arpeggio, you may want to consider adding Royal Pythons (aka Ball Python) to your inventory. I absolutely love them and had one for several years until I got married. (Wife not a big fan).

I have seen some amazing variations in them, including one Piebald that literaly caused my jaw to drop. It dropped even further when I saw the asking price.

05/28/2008 05:07:43 PM · #7

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by ArpeggioAngel:
I even got open mouth shots of a black mamba - he would jump and open his mouth every time my flash went off!

Good time to use the anti-redeye preflash! My dad's a former science teacher who, after he retired, traveled around the western states with his collection of reptiles, doing presentations at schools and libraries to introduce kids to the wonders of herpetology ...

We have quite a few members on our herp forums who are teachers and have some of their snakes in their classrooms to teach kids not only about snakes, but also about genetics.
I would love to be able to introduce more people to the hobby. They are such a interesting creature to own and are very low maintenance to boot!

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/28/2008 05:02:01 PM · #8

Originally posted by ArpeggioAngel:

I even got open mouth shots of a black mamba - he would jump and open his mouth every time my flash went off!

Good time to use the anti-redeye preflash! My dad's a former science teacher who, after he retired, traveled around the western states with his collection of reptiles, doing presentations at schools and libraries to introduce kids to the wonders of herpetology ...

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

05/28/2008 04:57:55 PM · #9

There are always exceptions to the snakes rule for venomous.......there is the coral snake which has neither the pupil or triangular shaped head.....the head thing is a "Pit viper" thing for the most part.....and when you get into asps and the like, the head thing goes out the window.

This is very true - cobras and mambas for example do not have the triangle shaped head. I was thinking mainly of US venomous species. I do know the coral is another exception to the rule as well. The thing to remember with coral snakes (and the scarlet king/scarlet snakes that imitate them) is the color pattern. Red on black - friend of Jack, red on yellow - kill a fellow.
On a coral snake the red bands and yellow bands touch indicating it is venomous. On the scarlets, the red bands touch black bands indicating that it is harmless.

There is a Serpentarium in St Cloud that we visit frequently. The gentleman who runs it milks venomous snakes for hospital and universities. He also has a pretty good display of venomous snakes from around the world. I will have to upload some pics from my most recent visit tonight in case anyone wants to check them out.
I even got open mouth shots of a black mamba - he would jump and open his mouth every time my flash went off!

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

05/28/2008 04:48:20 PM · #10

There are always exceptions to the snakes rule for venomous.......there is the coral snake which has neither the pupil thing or triangular shaped head.....the head is a "Pit viper" thing for the most part.....and when you get into asps and the like, the head thing goes out the window.

Racers and rat snakes have REALLY bad attitudes and bite HARD, but pretty much like anything that bites, your most serious damage will be from teeth wounds and infection.

I've been whaled quite a few times by non-venomous snakes and they just plain hurt, but don't create a problem if you keep the wound clean.

I'm more scared of getting really sick from stepping on rusty metal like nails during a photography quest than I am of getting snake-bit.

Most snakes will flee, venomous ones anyway, and unless you corner them or step on them, you're usually safe.

BTW, up here in the NE US, eastern Diamondbacks, Massasaugas, and Timber rattlers are all prevalent, along with copperheads and the very rare water moccasin.

Biggest rattler I ever saw was as a kid of about 14 (I'm 52) in an uninhabited stretch of ground on Hilton Head island. It was about seven feet long, as thick as mu leg, and some idiot was trying to kill it with a golf club.

We were smart enough to leave it alone.....and we left.

Edit for abysmal typos......and BTW, I LOVE snakes, too, and always have a few that hang out near our house.....garters, racers, and black/rat snakes.

BTW, GENERALLY if you have native resident non-venomous snakes, you don't have venomous ones in evidence.

Message edited by author 2008-05-28 16:52:46.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

05/28/2008 04:46:28 PM · #11

Thanks guys!
It started out with just one or two that we were going to have for pets - but then it turned into an obsession. We found that there is an entire culture of snake lovers out there who raise and breed them. We deal with colubrids - small constrictors - nothing large like pythons or boas (although our black milksnakes could reach 7ft in length!).

We attend shows in our area where breeders display and sell various species. And not just snakes, but all other kinds of reptiles and arachnids as well. We are also certified to ship snakes overnight via Fedex when we sell ours (hopefully we will have enough next year to be able to vend at shows ourselves!).

Personally - I own 50 - my roommate has around 80. Most are young - only a year or two old although we do have a few adults. Last year was our first year breeding and we did pretty good with about 6 clutches total. This year we will be closer to 12-13clutches and next year we should be well up around 30 (that means hundreds of baby snakes!).

The majority of the photos in my pets folder are of my cornsnakes. Cornsnakes are a very common snake but they have some great genes you can work with to come out with some fantastic colors and patterns. I do also have some grayband kingsnakes, sinaloan milksnakes and a pair of transpecos ratsnakes. The majority of the ones I own are very docile and easy to work with for photographs. Most are quite content to be posed in a tree branch. I do have a few that are a little feisty - but even if an adult bites - their teeth are very small and it is no worse than a cat scratch.

Feel free to hit me up any time you have questions about snakes. I have found that owning them has not only helped me learn about the species I keep - but I am very keen on learning everything I can about all species.

Message edited by author 2008-05-28 16:48:59.

MaryO

Nikon Z8

05/28/2008 04:29:49 PM · #12

Originally posted by Trinch:

For anyone reading this thread that likes snakes, take a look at ArpeggioAngel's profile. Truly amazing shots. Makes mine look pedestrian.

She has pretty snakes. And they pose and everything! Definitely worth a trip through her portfolio.

jonnienye

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/28/2008 03:56:26 PM · #13

And in regards to Salmonella - we have over 130 snakes in our household and have never had any issues with it. We use antibacterial hand sanitiziers between handling each snake and make sure to wash hands thoroughly before eating or anything. It is much less common than a lot of people seem to think when reptiles are concerned. i guess the lesson would be to always carry hand sanitizer,just in case you run into a snake,lol 130 snakes would be an issue unto itself in my opinion,lol hell,infection is the least of your worries,lol

Artifacts

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/28/2008 03:26:53 PM · #14

Originally posted by Trinch:

These are my favorites. Great snake captures. Excellent exposure and lighting with appealing sharpness and detail. You focused nicely on the head.

I think I've hiked the C&O canal trail before. If it is the place I'm thinking of it is close in to DC but still in wilderness. The Potomac outside DC is a very impressive river.

I've had a few snake encounters along the way myself. The key is to keep more than one body length away and they can't getcha. I usually give diamondback rattlers a wide berth but you really don't need to. They are the slowpokes of the snake world even when they come after you.

I blocked a gopher snake on its path one time like you did with the racer. Mine was about 5 foot long. It's bigger than a diamondback and will bite but it is not poisonous. However, it is also very fast. Don't recall the number of pictures I got but not many and most of those were blurry strikes directed at me. :)

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

05/28/2008 02:57:31 PM · #15

For anyone reading this thread that likes snakes, take a look at

ArpeggioAngel's profile. Truly amazing shots. Makes mine look pedestrian.

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

05/28/2008 02:28:13 PM · #16

Originally posted by ArpeggioAngel:

And in regards to Salmonella - we have over 130 snakes in our household and have never had any issues with it. We use antibacterial hand sanitiziers between handling each snake and make sure to wash hands thoroughly before eating or anything. It is much less common than a lot of people seem to think when reptiles are concerned.

Did I just read that right? You have over 130 snakes in your household.

Why?

05/28/2008 01:31:50 PM · #17

Originally posted by saracat:

Originally posted by ArpeggioAngel:
Racers are not venomous. The only venomous species found on the east coast are cottonmouths, coral snakes (florida) copperheads and possibly an occasional rattlesnake.
The most obvious way to tell a venomous snake is a triangle shaped head in most species.

Those are some fantastic photos BTW. Racers may not be venomous but they are known for having a really bad attitude problem! That one looks like a fairly good size specimen too!

Just as a fair warning to other photogs/hikers, I live in upstate SC, and here (and in the rest of SC), we have an abundance of rattlers - Eastern Diamondbacks, Timber Rattlers, and Pygmy Rattlers (of several color variations).

Copperheads are also quite populous, and I've seen a few cottonmouths in my time as well. We do have Coral snakes in SC, though they are typically found more toward the coast where it is warmer.

Sara

Yep, we get Eastern Diamondbacks and Pygmys down here in Florida too. I was thinking of higher up the east coast - rattlesnakes are not as common up there and I believe if any were seen they would most likely be Timber Rattlers.

Technically - the hognose snakes (eastern, southern and western) are also considered mildly venomous. They are rear fanged snakes unlike other venomous species which are front fanged. For a hognose to envenomate you they would not just have to bite you - they would have to "chew" on you to work their back fangs in. Their toxin is not very dangerous however - most closesly related to a bee sting allergy (which I know can be severe in some people). Hognose snakes however are one of the most docile species - sure they huff and puff but it is all a bluff. Once picked up they are puppy dog tame. The only instances of people being bit/envenomated by a hognose is if they were handling one after handling a food source (like mice). Hoggies have an insane feeding response!

And in regards to Salmonella - we have over 130 snakes in our household and have never had any issues with it. We use antibacterial hand sanitiziers between handling each snake and make sure to wash hands thoroughly before eating or anything. It is much less common than a lot of people seem to think when reptiles are concerned.

Message edited by author 2008-05-28 13:35:40.

jonnienye

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/28/2008 12:34:35 PM · #18

Originally posted by GeneralE:

BTW: Nice snake pictures!

ditto,lol

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/28/2008 12:30:44 PM · #19

BTW: Nice snake pictures!

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/28/2008 12:29:29 PM · #20

Well, some bacteria such as the species of Staphylococcus which cause Toxic Shock Syndrome, produce what's called an exotoxin which causes tissue damage at a site remote from the bacterial colonization. However, I don't think any pathologist would refer to an ordinary bacterial or viral infection as a poisoning, despite the colloquial term used for post-picnic abdominal distress ...

FWIW: The normal, healthy human body carries more bacterial cells than it has human cells ...

jonnienye

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/28/2008 11:48:36 AM · #21

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by jonnienye:
if you get salmonella poisoning from a non-venomous snake bite,wouldnt that be "poisonous" since it wasnt injected ? lol,i only say that as alot of reptiles carry salmonella,just a reminder to all those wannabe Steve Irwins out there...

While a genuine threat to those handling reptiles, infection by Salmonella sp. is not the same as being "poisoned."

good point,but if given the infection by way of an attack? seems more like a poisoning to me,lol

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/28/2008 11:33:38 AM · #22

Originally posted by jonnienye:

if you get salmonella poisoning from a non-venomous snake bite,wouldnt that be "poisonous" since it wasnt injected ? lol,i only say that as alot of reptiles carry salmonella,just a reminder to all those wannabe Steve Irwins out there...

While a genuine threat to those handling reptiles, infection by Salmonella sp. is not the same as being "poisoned."

Message edited by author 2008-05-28 11:34:00.

TCGuru

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

05/28/2008 10:55:20 AM · #23

My Dad found a HUGE blacksnake in his driveway. Whipped out the tape measure (as it was just hanging out) and measured ~6 ft!!!! Needless to say, we had no rats, mice, chipmunks, OR venomous snakes around while it was alive.

My idiot Aunt ran it over with her car (about 20x) and then called and said, "I KILLED A RATTLESNAKE ON THE ROAD BY YOUR HOUSE!!!" Duh.

We were depressed. :(

Now we have to watch much more carefully for copperheads and cottonmouths :(

ETA: Congrats on the shots!! They look great!

Message edited by author 2008-05-28 10:56:08.