Looking for support

My sister and I always loved snakes. We always had little garter snakes around the yard, and we loved to catch them and hold them a while. My dad, on the other hand, HATED snakes with a passion. I remember him carrying out this little baby garter snake on a shovel, held out as far away from him as possible, when he found one in the basement. It was so funny to see this big, macho, Marine scared of this little tiny, maybe 4" long snake.

My brother has had snakes since he was about 15 years old. Before he was married, he had a small Ball python named Zulu. I was at a party at his apartment, wearing Zulu around my waist. A friend of his, who had been a football linebacker in high school and college, would not let me within 5 feet of him. He thought the snake would jump from me to him and strangle him. It was funny, but sad too. After all, all Zulu did was to hold on to my waist.

Heidi, I hear you. My husband dons gloves (I thik he believes they're 'snake proof' and then gets his shovel to make sure it's at a safe distance. We've come across 2 grass snakes so far. I am literally in awa of all of you who love snakes.

You can count me in! I, too, love snakes although I've never kept one. My two main "snake tales" are this:

1. For a few years during the 1980s, I was part of a program called "The Wonderful World of Reptiles" at what was then called the Washington Park Zoo here in Portland. We'd present various and sundry snakes before an audience comprised mostly of children. It was a lot of fun, actually.

2. Way back when (1966) — whilst I was stationed at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas — a group of us took part in that city's annual Rattlesnake Roundup (or "Rodeo," I can't recall which). It's purpose was to capture rattlesnakes so they could be "milked" of their venom, which was then used to make antivenin.

West Texas having a plethora of rattlesnakes, it was relatively easy (for young people) to climb around on the rocks where such snakes liked to make their homes. Upon approaching a likely rattlesnake dwelling, we would shine light into the little cave via mirrors reflecting sunlight. Then, one of our party would spray a bit of gasoline into the den: This was done so the snakes would emerge to escape the fumes.

When the rattlesnakes came out, we'd seize them behind their heads using "grabbers" on long poles. Then, we'd lower them into a 55-gallon drum and close the lid. (I was the guy who carried the drum.) It was all very adventurous; and none of us humans were harmed.



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Okay, I'm waving my white flag....you guys win. I am way outnumbered on the 'snake' subject. ***goose-bump city happening here***

Mr. Cat - an anuual Rattlesnake roundup??? And you participated?? Wow, another idol in my eyes. Had the gallon been air-tight, sealed with super glue, nailed down, whatever.....I wouldn't have been anywhere near it!

Snakes really are not that bad even the venomous ones once you have a basic knowledge of them. Anytime one of our snakes bit Brian was his own fault. He got lazy and fed them in their housing tanks(Big no no for a pet snake) so when he'd reach into their housing tanks to hold one of them(One of our 2 Burmese pythons) they bit him. The albino snake bit him once pretty severely and wouldn't let go.

Our Ball pythons were very clam and laid back and they never bit anyone. They were quite a bit smaller than the Burmese so anyone who was afraid of snakes that came into our house was made to hold one of them. Most of our friends fell in love with snakes after that.

I do miss the Ball pythons....

Mind, with my luck were I to embark on a rattlesnake capture nowadays I'd be bitten for sure! (Provided I didn't fall and break my neck first.) Ah, youth!

:tounge2:

Bad Habit, can you not keep a ball python now?



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Well, it just breaks my heart that we couldn't have joined you on the rattlesnake roundup. I can't think of a more pleasant way to spend an afternoon! Next time you go, be sure to notify your friends!

*enters Jeanie G.'s name in little black book under "snake hunting"*

:tounge2:

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Wait till Fear Factor gets a hold of this one!:chicken: (<---that's me though, I couldn't be part of it!)

It's too late for you to back out. You're all signed up. We leave first thing in the morning for rattlesnake country! Oh, wear some high-top boots if you've any. Jeanie G. may have an extra pair she can lend you should you not have any yourself.

:tounge2:

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Unfortunatly I don't have the time it takes to properly take care of a Ball python.

But I would like to join in the rattle snake round up though.

Hey, Jessica! Let's use your car, ok? Of course, if the red oil light comes on again, we'll have no choice but to pull over--which would be a terrible shame! My car? Well, the rear axle rusted out from under it, and the transmission is slipping, and the ring and pinion gears are bad, and the engine's knocking, and......

Jeanie, is it still a car

Shhhhhh! He might hear you. Can you think of anything else that could be wrong?? Oh, yes! I think the tire's bald on the front driver's side! (Did that sound convincing?)

Jeanie I think you're car is in MUCH better shape then mine. I mean I can only dream of a car with slipping transmission... Gosh...

We'll just steal Brian's Vitara so we can be sure to get there. He said we could use it as long as we don't bring it back so he can report it stolen.

You're funny! :laughing2 :laughing2 :laughing2

Climb aboard, everybody! Here's a picture of where we'll be going. Isn't it neat?



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Okay guys...here's the plan. I had thought I had posted my reply earlier but guess I must of done something wrong...

Mr.Cat, your picture kind of makes this a little bit more complicated for me but.....

I will, just because I am nice stay behind in the air conditioned, satellite equipped cabin and from the bottom of my heart: I will gladly prepare a 7 course meal for all of you because, you know, you'll have deserved it after having lived through such an adventure. I REALLY would prefer to go along and see these beutiful slippery creatures but, I think someone should guard the fort and I think, since I am new, I should do this for you guys. You know: the rookie always does this kind of stuff while the regular, more experienced, knowledgeable ones get to have the 'real' fun. So....how's that???? (I'm sure the signal on the satellite should come in pretty clear there: no building to obstruct the signal.....If there's no electricity: We bought a generator 2 years ago during "Ice Storm '98, I'll just bring it along.

Oh yeah, Tom Cruise called and said if by any chance, whichever vehicle we chose does not make it there, (don't know why though because from the description, they're all in tip top shape)he said I could just give him a dingle and he'll come to our rescue. I insisted we'd be fine though....

Not to worry! Don't bother Tom, as I've the perfect car for our trip.



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