| gryphon |
| (.450 member) |
| 05/09/11 06:28 AM |
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SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
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| Ben |
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| 05/09/11 07:24 AM |
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Cheeky bugger.
| 500Nitro |
| (.450 member) |
| 05/09/11 07:28 AM |
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Awesome pictures Gryph.
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| CHAPUISARMES |
| (.416 member) |
| 05/09/11 08:09 AM |
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Hi Gryphon,
I see you are about to release a new movie......"Death Wish"
Good photos but your a silly B.....
Cheers,
Jeff Gray
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| kamilaroi |
| (.400 member) |
| 05/09/11 08:36 AM |
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Abt 4 foot of Notechis scutatus, no?
| AkMike |
| (.416 member) |
| 05/09/11 10:53 AM |
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Those things are easy to kill! (from what I've been told)
Since we don't have any snakes in the woods around here I'll assume it's correct.
Cut off it's tail.
(Right behind the head)
| CHAPUISARMES |
| (.416 member) |
| 05/09/11 01:28 PM |
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Quote:
Those things are easy to kill! (from what I've been told)
Since we don't have any snakes in the woods around here I'll assume it's correct.
Cut off it's tail.
(Right behind the head)
Mike, Very true and although they are protected, I believe that all snakes are the best when DEAD....
Cheers,
Jeff Gray
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| HuntingSchneider |
| (.333 member) |
| 05/09/11 01:37 PM |
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Fascinating creatures.
Never killed a snake. No intention to at this stage.
We used to get a lot of snakes, mainly brown snakes, in a small town called Brewarrina where I grew up.
My parents had a Motel across the road from a river and weir, which was next to a little wildlife reserve.
The snakes used to make there way over to us. From the age of about 10 I would always grab the shovel, pick up the snake and throw it over the fence to the reserve. My Mum used to have kittens and Dad thought I was mad.
| AFRO408 |
| (.333 member) |
| 05/09/11 01:49 PM |
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Great photos Gryphon
I love watching snakes in the wild, but I just don't see many while out hunting.
Had a mate who was shit scared of them and he was always finding them :-)
| HuntingSchneider |
| (.333 member) |
| 05/09/11 01:59 PM |
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Spiders on the other hand, are a totally different matter.
That close to a spider and I would have shrieked like Ned Flanders.
Many a good stalk have been ruined by walking into a spiders web. Like the big Golden Orbs. You have web wrapped around you and start doing the "were the F*** is it dance" whilst screaming at the top of the lungs.
On my first trip to Africa I found a Cobra skin and the only thing that stopped me from putting it into my friends cot was that he would have found a big hairy 8 legged nasty and dropped it on me in my sleep.
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| 500Nitro |
| (.450 member) |
| 05/09/11 02:05 PM |
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Quote:
Great photos Gryphon
I love watching snakes in the wild, but I just don't see many while out hunting.
I agree it's interesting, some come across them often, some not.
I don't come cross them often but have had to shoot one Red bellied that was catching frogs at the edge of the water i was crossing and rose up and struck at me. My dad also had to shoot a Brown many years ago in NSW that swum off a log towards him when crossing water / duck shooting.
| kamilaroi |
| (.400 member) |
| 05/09/11 04:34 PM |
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Quote:
Fascinating creatures.
Never killed a snake. No intention to at this stage.
We used to get a lot of snakes, mainly brown snakes, in a small town called Brewarrina where I grew up.
My parents had a Motel across the road from a river and weir, which was next to a little wildlife reserve.
The snakes used to make there way over to us. From the age of about 10 I would always grab the shovel, pick up the snake and throw it over the fence to the reserve. My Mum used to have kittens and Dad thought I was mad.
Well mate I have a few rellos around there, some just over the bridge (the late Uncle Archie Moore family and extended clan). I stayed at the motel in 2000 and it has/is being refurbished. BTW might you know the story of the stone fisheries (Biaimie's Ngunnhu), currently indicated at abt 40K BCE.
Yeah snakes are just part of the food chain and I certainly don't get vindictive abt them.
| HuntingSchneider |
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| 05/09/11 04:58 PM |
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Quote:Quote:
Fascinating creatures.
Never killed a snake. No intention to at this stage.
We used to get a lot of snakes, mainly brown snakes, in a small town called Brewarrina where I grew up.
My parents had a Motel across the road from a river and weir, which was next to a little wildlife reserve.
The snakes used to make there way over to us. From the age of about 10 I would always grab the shovel, pick up the snake and throw it over the fence to the reserve. My Mum used to have kittens and Dad thought I was mad.
Well mate I have a few rellos around there, some just over the bridge (the late Uncle Archie Moore family and extended clan). I stayed at the motel in 2000 and it has/is being refurbished. BTW might you know the story of the stone fisheries (Biaimie's Ngunnhu), currently indicated at abt 40K BCE.
Yeah snakes are just part of the food chain and I certainly don't get vindictive abt them.
I think the folks had sold it by then. Unless there was a little grey haired German lady (my little old Mum).
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| EricD |
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| 05/09/11 05:27 PM |
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Great pictures.
If that were near my house, it would be headless within seconds...
| kamilaroi |
| (.400 member) |
| 05/09/11 07:50 PM |
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^ In these parts we respect wildlife of all sorts. Around here if you don't know how ecosystems work them you're out of the loop. (BTW a $10K fine applies)
Eh HS, it weren't your mum as the motel had been sold to a local consortium that stuffed it up (community conflict). When I was there it was fairly run down but has been under resto since. Do you know the creation story of the Ngunnhu?
| JabaliHunter |
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| 06/09/11 02:15 AM |
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Is that a Tiger Snake?
| EricD |
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| 06/09/11 04:43 AM |
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Quote:
^ In these parts we respect wildlife of all sorts. Around here if you don't know how ecosystems work them you're out of the loop. (BTW a $10K fine applies)
Are you implying that I, or others who have mentioned that the snake would be missing it's head under certain circumstances, are clueless about how the ecosystem works and don't respect wildlife?
I am tempted to comment that the way you worded that is rather like something one would read on a PETA or other greeny website... Or something a guy like Tim Treadwell would say, until he ended up as bear scat.
I have no problem respecting wildlife of all sorts. But if venomous snakes are in my garden, where my young children play, then the venomous snakes won't last for long. I seriously doubt that killng such a snake under such circumstances would endanger the species as a whole in any way.
| Mike_Bailey |
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| 06/09/11 05:32 AM |
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Erik, back in 2000 I lived in Hong Kong, got a call from the wife, my son Miguel, aged 1 was sitting in the garden, wife said "thereīs a snake about 2 metres long in the garden near Miguel, what should I do ?" "Bring him inside" I yelled on the phone "and call the police". She did both, they sent the snake squad...an 8 foot cobra !! Got lucky that day, best, Mike
| Mike_Bailey |
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| 06/09/11 05:53 AM |
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p.s. Kamilaroi, I guess I should make myself aware of what species of snake are in my neighbourhood but when I had just moved to Spain in 2002 and saw a 5 foot brown one sunning itself on my terrace I didnīt first consult the "Snakes of Spain" book, I chopped itīs head off with a shovel ! Turned out it was harmless but I still have the skin on the mantlepiece, better safe than sorry
best, Mike
| kamilaroi |
| (.400 member) |
| 06/09/11 09:00 AM |
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MB and Jabali.
It is a tiger snake. Tiger snakes are very poisonous being ranked abt #3 in the world.
For others I was quoting what the law is in these parts. (Oz)
The maxim remains that snakes here with a single exception are not agressive (even though most of ours range from deadly to mildly poisonous) and having been a collector/observer all my life I can speak with some authority.
end of story.
| gryphon |
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| 06/09/11 10:36 AM |
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Can you post a few pics of some of your collection?
| kamilaroi |
| (.400 member) |
| 06/09/11 03:20 PM |
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Sorry mate mine are faded colour film stock that are barely visible. Many years back I did an article for the ADA journal on them (I think abt 1989). I had some in that.
I have been bitten by a few (red belly, whip snake, marsh snake and a few pythons; the last being quite painful due to their hooked teeth) and a few goannas, now those ARE painful!
There's an ADF? fella who used to post here "Bakes", he lives in Darwin? and has/had a fine collection posted.
| kamilaroi |
| (.400 member) |
| 06/09/11 03:54 PM |
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Addendum: and a Broadheaded snake (Hoplocephalus bungaroides) while chasing Rusa in 65.
Now that envenomation WAS painful. The CSL book mentions the effects; not pleasant at all.
| Sville |
| (.400 member) |
| 06/09/11 05:12 PM |
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These pictures are great!!! How close can you get to it, before it get dangerous? /Staffan
| gryphon |
| (.450 member) |
| 06/09/11 06:27 PM |
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Perhaps a little closer than I was at 2 m`s approx.
| Mike_Bailey |
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| 06/09/11 09:58 PM |
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Kamilaroi, you donīt do things by half over there do you, all your bloody snakes and spiders are in the nasty category, which is the aggresive species you mention ? Personally I love snakes in normal circumstances as does my son, (he wants an emerald tree boa at the moment which I am trying to talk him out of as I donīt want to buy the tank etc etc) but a funny thing happened here a couple of years ago, there are a lot of "chiringuitos" on the beach (small wooden bars with thatched rooves) which open in June and close end of September. We were in one a while back and I went for a stroll while the kids were having an ice cream, in a load of scrub on a dune over a rabbit warren I saw the back end of a BIG python going down a rabbit hole, I tried to grab the end of it but missed but this was a big snake, girth must have been 8" plus, never saw itsīhead or front, how did it get here ?? escaped pet ? Iīll never know, best, Mike
| 303British |
| (.224 member) |
| 06/09/11 10:16 PM |
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I saw a Sombre Whip snake while walking the other day, asked the local snake guru about them. Pretty rare he only sees about 2 a year. Nice little fella happy to cruise around while I snapped him. Also saw a Keelback that day. I like snakes, fascinating creatures. Will be breeding Childrens Pythons as of next year. Cute little buggers.
| kamilaroi |
| (.400 member) |
| 07/09/11 07:00 AM |
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Mike,
The species is the Western Brown or Fierce snake. It grows to abt 3 metres and attacks without provocation. As it can do abt 20KMH over rough ground then it's prudent to keep well clear. Range is western plains, channel country (irregular creeks) and savannah grasslands over abt 1/12 of the continent. A similar species the Taipan (Tai Pan?) grows to abt 4 metres but isn't as aggressive but the range is from rainforest to plains and grasslands over abt 1/6 of the north.
The family Elapidae here are number abt 70 are the most numerous and all poisonous, though most are mildly so.
We usually don't get too worried abt the dangers, but prudent behaviour is the norm. Thus a solution is that any brownish species longer than 2 feet is a risk (excepting pythons which are easily identified). I reckon that sea creatures pose a bigger risk. Google "Irukandji" for a guide.
303, I don't know of a Sombre WS but only the common yellow eyed species around s/e Oz. I do believe that at least one species is rated as dangerous to deadly.
NitroX
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| 08/09/11 12:29 PM |
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Quote:
For others I was quoting what the law is in these parts. (Oz)
K,
Incorrect. Especially as Australia is made up of a significant number of states and jurisdictions. What Erik described would be 100% legal in most parts of Australia ie removing or killing states that threaten persons, children, pets or livestock. A snake in the garden would represent such a threat. And as for catching them and moving them elsewhere, most people are bitten trying to catch snakes, the others that get too close to them without knowing.
Quote:
The maxim remains that snakes here with a single exception are not agressive (even though most of ours range from deadly to mildly poisonous) and having been a collector/observer all my life I can speak with some authority.
I'm interested, which snake species is the aggressive one per your comment above? (edited: see you answered in a later post. Don't know the Western Brown, only our local Common (Eastern) Brown snakes.
Most species are aggressive starting right now, in Spring as well. From my experience anyway. I'm starting to listen for the sssss and slither in the grass and leaves, starting from yesterday.
Quote:
Can you post a few pics of some of your collection?
Some talk the talk, and others post photos starting interesting discussion .... Even those so environmentally in touch with themselves, hey Gryph?
Thanks for the photos, JG.
| Matt_Graham |
| (Sponsor) |
| 08/09/11 12:36 PM |
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'Western Brown or fierce snake' + 'attacks without provocation' I think you need to check your facts mate!!!
even Wikipedia could help you with some basic facts like distribution and temperament of the snake you are talking about....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inland_Taipan
for a snake collector you dont seem to know much about them???!!!
As for snakes in a houseyard, especially given the difficulties in accurately identifying Aust elapid snakes, I reckon you have a good case to kill them and this is backed-up by law. Of course there are safety issues involved where the human can easily become the victim!!
| kamilaroi |
| (.400 member) |
| 08/09/11 03:51 PM |
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Fellas,
I just lost a 200 word reply using source documents Cogger's "Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia" (1986 edition) plus Shine and Covacevich's field guide with LD50 and world ranking for venom type and other obs. I added additional species distribution/ranges and species overlaps and congeneric between the Fierce snake and Taipan (Parademansia and Oxyuranus spp) plus field obs over the years.
Hal (Harry) Cogger I have known since 62 when I started collecting, Covacevich I have met.
Get a copy of the ADA journal where I posted my pics. Read the relevant books and get back to me eh?
Life is too short to waste it.
BTW Wiki isn't a reliable "source".
meh.
| Matt_Graham |
| (Sponsor) |
| 08/09/11 05:56 PM |
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like I said EVEN Wiki is more accurate than what you wrote earlier!!!!!!!
I always figured that a 'western brown' was otherwise known as a Gwardar and a fierce snake was otherwise known as inland taipan... but hey, maybe Im wrong??
Nice pics by the way JG...
| Perry |
| (.275 member) |
| 08/09/11 07:48 PM |
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Very Cool photo's Grypon, better man than I Gungadin !! Way too close !!
As a 15 year old Easter 1979 while Bowhunting in Far Sth West Queensland I stood on an Inland Taipan, It struck me but thankfully due too a set of heavy Army Fatigue trousers, those Calf length Canvas ex Military boots you could buy back in the late 70's, more than a measure of luck and young reflexes I wasn't invenomated
My Hunting mate reckons I leapt backwards over a 2 foot tall Saltbush, drew and shot my Bow all in one motion, pinning it's head to the ground. One Fang penetrated my Fatigues and struck 1/2" below the top of the Boot I was wearing. There was a drop of Venom on my Boot and a smear on the outside of my Fatigues
We had been walking for 5 hours - If things had of gone differently I would have died as there is no way my mate could have got back to the vehicle, raised help and come back for me in time.
Best part of that trip was I shot my first Pig.
I always thought the Inland Taipan was calm compared to it's Coastal Cousin. Either way I have some Horror stories about run in's with Eastern Brown Snakes while Hunting - they scare me !!
regards Jacko
| kamilaroi |
| (.400 member) |
| 08/09/11 08:02 PM |
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OK I take the bait.
To answer these in turn.
The Fierce snake is well named. I have several accounts of pursuit from folk around Tiboburra and Cunnamulla (Kunjamulla). Several folk (Cogger et al)consider that it as a recently classsified genus and species (Parademensia microlepidopa) and congeneric with the Taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus). Incidentally their ranges overlap. There are other species that approximate their appearance thus ID is difficult.
There are several species, namely the above, the Taipan, Fierce snake, Eastern brown, Mulga snake whose generic colour and size lead to misidentification.
The behaviour of some varies according to season and FWIW I have had eastern browns transit a campsite without displaying aggro. Most species are not specifically territorial though some exhibit such at mating.
I do not collect since abt 1968 as my locstat states I live in a high density suburb. I am called to relocate from time to time and as the NSW regs are a pain I have relinquished my collection some years back. FWIW the regs here and IMO are consistent across all State jurisdictions.
John,
iN youR area there are at least 3 species known as "brown snakes" thay are all large and dangerous.
They (and others)are:
Mulga (King Brown)snake;Pseudechis australis
Western Brown snake (Gwardar): Pseudonaja nuchalis
Eastern Brown snake; Pseudonaja textilis
Myall?Curl snake; Suta suta
and maybe a Dugite; Pseudonaja affinis (though this is uncertain)
LET'S FACE IT WE ALL HAVE DISCRETE KNOWLEDGE ON NATURE THAT IS BEST SHARED.
| gryphon |
| (.450 member) |
| 08/09/11 08:06 PM |
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Why thank you Matty.
| kamilaroi |
| (.400 member) |
| 08/09/11 08:25 PM |
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FWIW Oz snakes have much smaller fang length than foreign species, thus the chance of envenomation through clothing is much reduced. If the snake has fed recently then the chance is even further reduced.
Sometimes species strike with a closed mouth as a warning, esp Red Belly Blacks.
| Matt_Graham |
| (Sponsor) |
| 08/09/11 08:45 PM |
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Quote:perhaps you should update your reading???
OK I take the bait.
To answer these in turn.
The Fierce snake is well named. I have several accounts of pursuit form folk around Tiboburra and Cunnamulla (Kunjamulla). Several folk (Cogger et al)consider that it as a recently classsified genus and species (Parademensia microlepidopa) and congeneric with the Taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus). Incidentally their ranges overlap. There are other species that approximate their appearance thus ID is difficult.
There are several species, namely the above, the Taipan, Fierce snake, Eastern brown, Mulga snake whose generic colour and size lead to misidentification.
The behaviour of some varies according to season and FWIW I have had eastern browns transit a campsite without displaying aggro. Most species are not specifically territorial though some exhibit such at mating.
I do not collect since abt 1968 as my locstat states I live in a high density suburb. I am called to relocate from time to time and as the NSW regs are a pain I have relinquished my collection some years back. FWIW the regs here and IMO are consistent across all State jurisdictions.
| kamilaroi |
| (.400 member) |
| 08/09/11 08:59 PM |
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So what might you suggest?
| kamilaroi |
| (.400 member) |
| 08/09/11 09:50 PM |
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Mike,
In your part of it probably an escaped "pet" and how I'd imagine it may have dealt with Quaddafi.
Anyway around here the record stands at abt 26 feet for an Amethystine Python. I have collected some to abt 13feet though the circumstances were "problematic". (to say the least)
Best
Rick
| Matt_Graham |
| (Sponsor) |
| 09/09/11 09:48 AM |
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Quote:well anything with the correct nomenclature and descriptions!!!!
So what might you suggest?
| kamilaroi |
| (.400 member) |
| 09/09/11 03:27 PM |
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Really? As a recent edition of Cogger is going for $490 what might you suggest. (Yes I know genetic taxonomy has reclassified many species)
| Perry |
| (.275 member) |
| 09/09/11 05:08 PM |
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Mulga's are the most common Snake on a block I hunt out towards Cunnamulla and they seem to mind there own Business and keep out of the way but the Eastern Browns are shockers. They Ark up just about every time we happen upon them and they stay Puffed Up with there Neck flattened out and head and 1/4 to 1/3 of there body raised 18" to 2 foot off the ground as you back off. Often the mongrel things follow just to make sure your suitably evacuated.
Another property closer to St George is lousy with Eastern Browns and again Nasty bastards of things. I am sure that property also has Coastal Taipans despite being 500+km Inland. Only found the one mating pair and it was fascinating to watch. This would seem to support the fact that Fierce Snakes and Coastal Taipans ranges overlap. It is commonly reported that the Fierce Snakes are not found east of Windorah. I've seen them on Properties as far East as the Mitchell Rd just outside of St George
More learned folks out there may be able to confirm that Mulga Snakes have only been classified in the last 10 years or so ??
I have only seen Tiger Snakes a bit further South in the Dirranbandi / Hebel district and at least on that Property had gorgeous Fawn and Dark Brown markings, all seemed to be 5 - 8 feet long and quite thick set.
I am positive I heard a Scietist say in a Radio Interview that what's commonly called the King Brown is actually not a Brown Snake but is related to the Red Belly Black and that the King Brown name is a misnomer.
I also sure he said the Mulga is related to Eastern Browns. The Scientist said that the Mulga has more toxic venom than the Eastern Brown. I'm sure he also said the King Brown is not as as Toxic as the Mulga
regards Jacko
| Matt_Graham |
| (Sponsor) |
| 09/09/11 06:13 PM |
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Mulga snake is the same as 'King Brown' mate. Eastern brown is more venomous (toxic) as I understand it.
| gryphon |
| (.450 member) |
| 09/09/11 06:24 PM |
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I always thought a "KB" was just another common name for the EBS! Most of us will just say "geezus that brown was close" etc as in a description.
I call this a brown snake otherwise known as " you bastard!"
It was in my paddock.
[IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a48/gryphone/brownman1.jpg [/IMG]
| Perry |
| (.275 member) |
| 09/09/11 08:09 PM |
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Well at least I got the related to Black Snakes bit right
I just did a bit of research and discovered that what I've been calling a Mulga Snake for a couple of decades is in fact a Collet Snake. Years and years ago a property owner and a hunting mate who worked for the same Cocky told me they where Mulga Snake's. Either way it's still No 19 on the worlds most deadly list and I'll continue to give them a wide berth.
I wonder if a lot of the confision about the place is due to differing local names for the same Snake. Always a good day when you learn something new
regards Jacko
| 500Nitro |
| (.450 member) |
| 09/09/11 08:30 PM |
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Quote:
Well at least I got the related to Black Snakes bit right
I just did a bit of research and discovered that what I've been calling a Mulga Snake for a couple of decades is in fact a Collet Snake. Years and years ago a property owner and a hunting mate who worked for the same Cocky told me they where Mulga Snake's. Either way it's still No 19 on the worlds most deadly list and I'll continue to give them a wide berth.
I wonder if a lot of the confision about the place is due to differing local names for the same Snake. Always a good day when you learn something new
regards Jacko
Yes, I agree their is a lot of confusion, especially localised and you mentioned the key word - COCKY.
Cocky's seem to have their own words for things that come from way back when and it gets passed down like it was to you.
i just work on back away and leave undisturbed if possible or kill it if not, regardless.
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 09/09/11 08:51 PM |
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I've encountered Red bellied black snakes occasionally. They are actually beneficial as they kill other snakes or their young/eggs or whatever. USUALLY they are not that aggressive unless stepped on etc.
| kamilaroi |
| (.400 member) |
| 09/09/11 11:07 PM |
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And this is a GREAT thread! I hope the O/S mob get some idea of the diversity of what we deal with on a regular basis.
| gryphon |
| (.450 member) |
| 10/09/11 06:36 PM |
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| 9.3x57 |
| (.450 member) |
| 10/09/11 07:55 PM |
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Gryph, seriously, great pix and thanks for posting a great thread.
Oh, and I'd love to have your camera setup, too.
I always wanted a camera attached to a rail on my shotgun...
| kamilaroi |
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| 10/09/11 09:49 PM |
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Why?
| kamilaroi |
| (.400 member) |
| 10/09/11 09:53 PM |
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Mr Graham,
still waiting...
| Gaff |
| (.224 member) |
| 11/09/11 06:49 PM |
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Kamilaroi,I think you are getting a few descriptions mixed up somewhere unless my 1992 edition of Coggers book is differentt to yours, Western Brown,Pseudonaja nuchalis 1.5m total length, Fierce snake, Oxyuranus microlepidotus 2.5 m total length. A 3m one would be a monster although I have seen a 2m eastern brown.
Coggers book doesn't mention temperament but another book I have by Raymond Hoser decribes the western brown as aggressive but not as aggresive as the eastern when disturbed.It also describes the inland tiapan(fierce snake ) as not at all agressive and more placid than most other deadly snakes.
This just goes to show all the conflicting information there is about snakes.
cheers gaff
| kamilaroi |
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| 12/09/11 07:52 PM |
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Gaff,
I believe Cogger uses a mean length excluding juveniles. FWIW I've see and collected EBS over 6 feet and supposing that if they were not resisting then that may have gone quite a bit longer. "Observer" estimation of lengths can be guesstimated but are in part a function of body mass and condition. BTW there is a zoological rule of thumb that states that "in extremis" size is contingent upon extremes of climate. See Chappel Island tiger snakes and the papuensis species for a lead.
Of Hoser I have no knowledge. The issue of aggression is relative to species, most especially circumstance; and season.
regards
| Gaff |
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| 12/09/11 08:08 PM |
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Yeah you may well be right about the mean lengths, they do seem a bit conservative, a 6 foot eastern brown is a scary creature and If you catch one of them alive you are a brave man, I have grabbed a couple of big ones but they got the whiplash treatment, not that I like killing snakes, they were just in the wrong place and couldn't stay and I wasn't prepared or willing to try and catch them alive.
cheers gaff
| kamilaroi |
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| 12/09/11 10:10 PM |
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Yep,
The EBS one I refer to was under a damp towel on my camp out bed at St Albans NSW in 88 and that is in the ADA mag. I just turn em opposite to the noose/hook they try to take to run up and bite you. Real bigguns like Taipans etc try to throw a series of convulsive body movements at your trunk and those I have rarely encountered nor handled. BTW I don't catch death adders or similar short and stout enough to turn.
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NitroX
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| 27/11/11 04:01 PM |
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Snake season is well and truly here today again.
We've had two inches of rain in the last couple of days, and warm sunny weather today. The ground is steaming.
My father warned me he had seen a snake track in the sand of a deer paddock a week ago and bumped into one of them at midday today. He was near my peacock cage, where there are a lot of mice that feed on the spilt feed for the birds. The snake felt a bit trapped, sliding towards the cage, he did not seem to want to go it (
I believe peacocks kill snakes ), did not go under a water tank for some reason, slid back into the deer handling yards. Decided to go for a shotgun and some shoes or boots. I was barefoot. Was pretty sure he would be gone by the time I got back there, but I also needed to go through that gate to get to a paddock where I hoped to move a buck into a new paddock and return the main herd back into that field. Especially if there are any new fawns hidden out there somewhere.
Left the dog locked in the yard to his distress.
Walking in the grass was careful a good 30 metres away as you never know where you bump into them. And yes, there he was a good 8 metres in front of where he was previously. He slid and hid in some rocks of an old cow ramp, but I managed to spot his back and cut him in half with the shotgun. The front half with the head amazingly slid off in to some posts nearby. Never seen that before. Had a shot at it as it slid away.
Now this would prove an opportunity to do some snake proofing of Blitzen the GSP. We BELIEVE he is afraid of snakes and jumps away from them but ... put an electric collar on him. Took him to the area, and ran right over all the spots the snake had slid over. Sniffed around. Stupid dog, did not even smell half a snake lying right past where he ran. But went into a point looking at me. Encouraged him slightly to look in that area. He sniffed working into the grass, and ended up with his nose an inch from the cut off snake! Gave him a full no.4 shock on the collar. He lept backwards, a good couple of metres into the air, somersaulting, and landed on his side in the grass. Told him to run away with me, saying BAD ... SNAKE, BAD ... SNAKE etc.
Felt mean, but it is better he learns not to investigate snakes. The blood smell on the snake may have been a bit different this time. Don't want to loose him to these very deadly brown snakes. Will collect the two halves, and give the dog more lessons to reinforce it in the next couple of days. Good to do this every year.
Now snakes in Aus are of course protected. In SA they may be killed if near homes and workplaces etc where they are endangering lives, pets and livestock.
I don't have a shortage of them. No longer running sheep, we have high grass, sometimes up to a metre and half on parts of the property.
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 27/11/11 04:07 PM |
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Quote:
Hi Gryphon,
I see you are about to release a new movie......"Death Wish"
Good photos but your a silly B.....
Gryph's new DVD will be titled, "Death at his Feet".
But as I said in another thread, I always feel the need to reach for a shotgun, before the camera. At least around the sheds and house.
Even had to get the shotgun out of the bloody ffffing stupid gun safe and then the shells out a locked box .... due to that stupid ffffhead Howard and his impractical laws. These "safe storage" laws might be OK for the urbanite but impractical on a working farm.
I believe in SA, rimfires and shotguns can be stored more simply, trigger locks, chain through the trigger guards etc. Might be worth doing instead for the working shotgun and .22 Mag.
The better ones are definitely locked away safely.
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NitroX
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| 27/11/11 04:31 PM |
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A good source of information about snakes on the net.
http://www.venomsupplies.com/
This is a local company, only about 12 kms away from me. Most of the locality information is only for SA.
But it gives some useful information on the different species. Plus some photographs.
http://www.venomsupplies.com/first-aid/
Common Brown Snake
| gryphon |
| (.450 member) |
| 27/11/11 06:08 PM |
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And that front half is still 'bad' until its head is flat as a sixpence.
Agree re the firearms on a farm, yesterday I shot a rabbit thats been annoying me by being in my garden chewing on the wrong things.
Same ritual...gunsafe ,ammo safe.... load up and all the while hoping the germ is still there.
| Pseudechis |
| (.224 member) |
| 27/11/11 11:39 PM |
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Dear All,
As an avid read of Nitro Express I have enjoyed the recent snake pics and discussion as I am a professional herpetologist (=reptile and amphibian scientist)and fan of British doubles. One of my specialties is the ecology of tropical snakes about which I have been published in scientific literature. I would like to make the following points.
1. Fierce Snakes/Inland Taipans (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)have never been shown to grow to over three meters. Though sample sizes were small (n=19), Shine & Covacevich (1983)recorded the average length to be 1320mm for males and 1438mm for females, with the maximum recorded adults being only 1700mm. However they probably grow a little larger than this recorded maximum and if anyone has any proof of this, I would love to see it.
2. Coastal Taipans (Oxyuranus scutellatus) have never been shown to grow anywhere near four meters. Shine & Covacevich (1983) examined a large sample (n=78) and found the average size to be 1564mm for males and 1450mm for females, with the maximum recorded for adults being only 2260mm. Coastal Taipans do grow a little larger than this (an old friend of mine had one that was 2900mm long and weighed 6.2 kg!). This specimen died and currently resides in the QLD Museum as the largest Coastal Taipan ever recorded, though remember it is a captive animal. Once again if anyone has any proof of a Coastal Taipan over three meters, I would love to see it.
3. The largest snake ever reliably measured in Australia was a Scrub/Amethystine Python (Morelia kinghorni)that was caught at Palm Cove, Cairns, North Queensland. It measured 5651mm long and weighed 24kg (Fearn & Sambono, 2000). It is quite possible that Scrub Pythons can grow a little larger than this and if anyone has proof I would love to see it.
Here are the following references for the snake data I have presented. If anyone would like a copy of these articles please feel free to pm me and I can get your email to send a PDF.
Shine, R. & Covacevich, J. (1983). Ecology of highly venomous snakes: the Australian genus Oxyuranus (Elapidae). Journal of Herpetology. 17(1):60-69.
Fearn, S. & Sambono, J. (2000). A reliable size record for the Scrub Python (Morelia amethistina) (Serpentes: Pythondiae) in North East Queensland. Herpetofauna. 30(1):2-6.
Lets keep this thread going, for starters does anyone have pictures of exceptionally large King Brown/Mulga Snakes (Pseudechis australis) they may have seen.
From, Dane
| ozhunter |
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| 27/11/11 11:42 PM |
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Great pictures.
If that were near my house, it would be headless within seconds...
Don't worry Eric, you are not the only one.
Eastern Brown particularly.
| gryphon |
| (.450 member) |
| 28/11/11 05:51 AM |
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I have a 6' 4" mate holding an E.Brown up,its head draped on the ground and the tail is higher than the mates head,taken with an old Kodak cam its amongst the 1000`s of pic`s in a box upstairs...one day! Pics of the skin @ 10" wide ( from memory?)are with it somewhere also...a bloody big snake is all I can say for an EB specimen..which when of that size we (down here) call King Browns.