Hey Tom , here's a way to make this thread on-topic , when you look under
rocks either collecting shells or slithery things it's the same procedure ,
stand behind rock , pick it rock away from yourself , this way the moray eel
or rattler can't strike at you..
and in answer to a statement made in this topic before , if that lady has a
lot of pygmy rattlers she probably has alot of mice , snakes won't go where
there is no food .
 Tom , are these ideas right or am I over medicated again????
just wanted to know ,
Weasel wisdom .com
-----Original Message-----
From: Thomas E. Eichhorst <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sunday, September 19, 1999 3:14 PM
Subject: Re: off topic


>Andrew and other searchers through brush and under rocks,
>
>When we go out looking for herps, our activities look pretty much like a
>bunch of folks searching for land snails.  The difference is we carry large
>pillowcase-like bags instead of small zip lock bags.  But we are also
>looking into bushes and of course, under every rock that can be humanly
>turned (and then returned to the same spot).
>
>What we don't do is reach under a rock to turn it without first looking,
>very carefully.  Most of the smaller rocks can be turned with a snake
stick.
>Mine is a large hook meant to hang a bicycle or something similar in the
>garage that I have screwed into the end of a five-foot long broom stick.
>This hook is used to handle and pin venomous reptiles but more importantly
>it is really handy for turning rocks without bending over and without the
>risk of putting your fingers under the rock.  The same stick is used to
poke
>a bush a bit before really digging into it.  As a shell collector, the hook
>would be handy but even if you just had a stick to poke into the bush
first,
>I would think it would be a help.
>
>I have found that non-herp people will just not see 95% of the snakes
>encountered.  This has been demonstrated time and again when I took people
>into the field.  The vast majority of snakes will just lay still and not
>move as you walk by.  And, of coure, my recomendation is to just walk by.
>Live and let live.
>
>I always wear boots in the field, but I wear them at home so this is no big
>deal.  Anyway, boots with jeans over the top provide a pretty good cushion
>against a bite.  A pretty good cushion.  A really big rattler or a really
>pissed off rattler will go right through boot leather.  As I said, normally
>you will not even see the snake as it will freeze in place.  Most bites
>occur because the snake is messed with or stepped on.  The last is
>unfortunate but the first is inexcusable.  If you see a snake under a rock
>or in the shade of a bush, just leave it be and tell yourself there weren't
>any shells worth having there anyway.  A great many strikes are "dry"
bites.
>The snake is just defending itself and not injecting a load of venom (which
>is really used to subdue and help digest prey).
>
>
>In summary: 1.  look before you step or reach (carry a stick), 2.  wear
>boots and long pants, 3.  if you see a snake leave it be -- just press on.
>
>I applaud your live and let live attitude.  Many people are a bit
irrational
>about snakes and would kill every one.  As animals, snakes surely have as
>important a role in the overall environmental scheme as any mollusk.  Boy,
I
>can see the letters now.
>
>I will be participating in Reptile Day at the Rio Grande Nature Center this
>weekend.  We set up a number of cages with mostly local reptiles, but some
>exotics, and attempt to educate people on the do's and don'ts with herps.
>As our city fairly explodes with new housing and development, snake
>encounters are guaranteed.  We just want them to be painless for both
>parties.  Like not overcollecting shells or destroying a reef, we must also
>let our ever shrinking spots that haven't been paved, serve the creatures
>who were there long before we arrived.
>
>See ya,
>
>Tom Eichhorst in New Mexico, USA
>