One species of rattlesnake that we’ve wanted to see in the wild is the Mojave. While visiting Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge recently, we finally got our chance. If only we had been five minutes earlier, however, we might have seen it alive.
Snakes
The Tooth of the Matter
Ever been bitten by a dog? A cat? A snake? An alligator?
Using a Snake as a Necklace (Revisited)
Once again we attended a reptile program that delivered excellent information, as well as attempting to instill a respect for these misunderstood creatures. Once again, however, showmanship degraded the message.
Do Snakes Belong Everywhere?
Snakes have a purpose in the world, consuming rodents, bugs, and even other snakes that bother us, as well as serving as food for other wildlife. But should snakes exist everywhere? A nine-year-old e-mailed us wondering why snakes can’t be introduced to New Zealand.
Feeding the Snakes
It happened again. This time a park ranger brought us a headless baby rabbit. “I thought your snakes would like to eat this,” she said, cuddling the lifeless remains in her hands. “The cat here loves to capture baby rabbits and decapitate them.”
Snakes after Dark
One activity Chuck and I enjoy this time of year at Imperial National Wildlife Refuge is driving the road in the evening, searching for snakes that have slithered out to take advantage of pavement that holds warmth from the day’s high temperatures. Although we hadn’t seen a snake for some time, tonight we went trolling for wildlife.
Snake Doctor
By the time a snake or other reptile appears ill, it is usually too late to treat it. Because their metabolism is slow, they don’t react quickly to medication. So when our gartersnake, Karma, developed a lump near her stomach area, we debated whether or not to take her to the veterinarian.