Ask the Octopus

The Death Adder
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ux0EKFs-vSk/UObfErM9yXI/AAAAAAAA_yM/lP2OlXhNuZI/s1600/The-Death-Adder.jpg

Looks like a viper but is a type of cobra. The thread's moved onto snakes as I know very little about octopus...

Australia sounds like a very cool place, know a few folk who have moved out there. But it does have a big downside for me (snake geek)

Did you know ... all the venomous snakes in Aus are Elapids (the cobra family) There is not a single venomous snake there that's not absolutely deadly, and Elapids make up about half the snakes, the rest are pythons.

Its a quirk of geography there's no other country with that problem. Vipers have very painful, but often not deadly bites. Elapids venom is much less painful but will kill you in 30 min or so - it can kill an elephant.

But to my point it really puts me off going, elapids are not to be sniffed at! I suspect Australians think they are 'interesting' but I wouldn't want one within 10 miles of my house!

Originally posted by e4chris
Australia sounds like a very cool place, know a few folk who have moved out there. But it does have a big downside for me (snake geek)

Did you know ... all the venomous snakes in Aus are Elapids (the cobra family) There is not a single venomous snake there that's not absolutely deadly, and Elapids make up about half the snakes, the rest are pythons.

It ...[text shortened]... stralians think they are 'interesting' but I wouldn't want one within 10 miles of my house!

Here in Africa we have cobras, mambas and many other deadly snakes. But most snakes will run from people, so its not that big of a problem. Still, if you come across one, it is best to give it some respect.
I have seen plenty of snakes, but never been bitten. I have been spat in the eyes by a spitting cobra. It was sore for a couple of days.

Originally posted by twhitehead
Here in Africa we have cobras, mambas and many other deadly snakes. But most snakes will run from people, so its not that big of a problem. Still, if you come across one, it is best to give it some respect.
I have seen plenty of snakes, but never been bitten. I have been spat in the eyes by a spitting cobra. It was sore for a couple of days.

That sounds nasty! Mambas can be dangerous I read? I remember a few people who keep snakes go onto to keep venomous ones - if they must I think this is the best;

Mangrove Snake
http://a1.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/18/e4fae13da61e4d119f468290809312d3/l.jpg

They are stunning, vicious apparently but not deadly. They are colubrids - 'common snakes' most are harmless, sold as pets. Elapids look like them but in a cage they're supposed to make atrocious pets, very fast, snappy, clever - so can escape. People who like dangerous snakes don't like them. Most snakes are snappy in the tank but not all can kill an elephant...

That's why I wonder how the Australians treat them, there's a few funny 'snake catcher' videos but it would strike me as a serious problem.

Here is some hazardous UK wildlife for contrast 🙂
http://files.myopera.com/Words/blog/badger_lumpy_0409120446.jpg

Found this funny picture 🙂

http://global3.memecdn.com/inventions_c_156325.jpg

OK is a bit rude - but the fact Australians don't carry sticks when they have Elapids around is possibly more dumb.

Snake of the day

The Indigo snake
http://www.fws.gov/northflorida/IndigoSnakes/USFWS_Biologist_Eastern_indigo_snake.jpg

I read that at google all 'noogles' new staff get to bring in a novelty for the office! Including the odd hamster, gerbil... well if they don't get rid of those RIDICULOUS CON ADDS I would bring in one of these - they escape all the time and are very messy eaters! that's the mess the donuts are making of 5 inches of my laptop

The octopus says stop it!

Crows are very intelligent. Check this out. video.pbs.org/video/2149549103

Originally posted by Phranny
Crows are very intelligent. Check this out. video.pbs.org/video/2149549103

they can be nasty... video does not work on my laptop 🙁

I knew a guy who made a fortune, well allot from breeding these
http://www.rainbowboas.com/jungle_carpet_files/BigJungleLove%20049.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q3etIZYMoQE/TcU8pla92JI/AAAAAAAAAvk/r8l8qgIP3ms/s1600/Jungle+Carpets+Python.jpg
Carpet Pythons - they make good pets, big enough to be impressive but still manageable. used to sell for £4-500 each!

I like these - had one as a pet
http://i49.servimg.com/u/f49/15/29/23/12/ratsna15.jpg
Taiwan beauty Snake - more active and curious then most...

King snakes make quite good pets...
http://www.jonathansjungleroadshow.co.uk/Mexican%20black%20king_files/image004.jpg

Snake of the day!

The Bushmaster - the largest pit viper in the world

Picture - check out those fangs! yikes!
http://ohapbio12.pbworks.com/f/bushmaster%20fangs.jpg

Article
http://www.tigerhomes.org/animal/bushmaster-snake.cfm

What's interesting about this snake and is not mentioned in the article is its profound laziness, it could well be the laziest animal in the world.

It has been known to stay in the exact same spot for months at a time not moving, its so well evolved that's all it need do to hunt. cool eh 🙂

Snakes Of The Day!

Ones with interesting names and or look nice 🙂

From South East China - Hundred Flower Snake
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt275/tribolonotus001/100Flower.jpg

if you want to buy one... were going for £295 in dec last year...
http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/snake-classifieds/918568-cpr-cracking-coulbrids-dont-miss.html


From China and Vietnam - Mandarin Snake £595! very pretty.
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt275/tribolonotus001/NVmandarin.jpg

I'm not trying to promote the persons site, just like those snakes - elaphe they're related to the snake I had. Its sad but the one I kept are dinner in some places. 🙁 that's how they made it into the pet trade, but those 2 are quite rare hence the price.

Now 2 venomous ones

Eyelash Viper - They are very pretty, come in a few colours, see in infra red with the pits by there nose. From the jungles of Brazil.

Yellow
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_g3IvWv6IIX4/SwiOSteXRuI/AAAAAAAABbg/deMl7JXQqoo/s1600/Eyelash+Viper+1.jpg

Orange
http://i.neoseeker.com/mgv/484553/553/46/361236851_9516555384_display.jpg

Wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bothriechis_schlegelii


Fer De Lance -
http://www.stormchaser.ca/Wildlife/Costa_Rica_Wildlife/Fer%20De%20Lance.JPG

I didn't know this, its invaded an island! from wiki;
"Bothrops lanceolatus is a venomous pitviper species generally considered endemic to the island of Martinique. No one has satisfactorily explained why it has flourished there but is unknown on nearly all other Caribbean islands. Some reserve the common name fer-de-lance for this species, while others apply that name to other Bothrops species as well. No subspecies are currently recognized" - Its supposed to be a bit vicious.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bothrops_lanceolatus


🙂 random facts 🙂

Snakes Of The Day!

Fat and deadly snakes.

The Puff Adder - Responsible for quite a few human casualties its quite common, from central Africa.
http://0.tqn.com/d/goafrica/1/0/K/I/puffadder.jpg

The Gaboon Viper - from central Africa, the biggest fangs on any snake
http://www.snake-planet.webege.com/images/Gaboon%20Viper%201.JPG
http://www.jdmpics.com/animals/gaboon-viper-3.jpg
Despite the fangs they are supposed to tame well, they are not aggressive snakes.

The Rhinoceros Viper - note the horns, probably could kill a rhino
http://media.onsugar.com/files/ons1/409/4097768/39_2009/cd2d6c258d45c130_Rhinoceros_Viper_bits.jpg

There's an interesting story that on the outset of World War 2 one of these snakes, a zoo specimen. - I think it was a puff adder committed suicide by biting through its own back. Sad, snakes are perceptive creatures, there are few that even make nests. Will try and find the zoo story.

Snakes of the day...

to go with the stupid bogus health claim adds on this site... a lying snake!

The False Water Cobra
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/xflutteringx/111220095680.jpg
http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad46/millreps/IMG_4721.jpg

they are colubrids not cobras. Red meets yellow kill a fellow, red meets black venom lack... can you name the snakes?

100 FT ANACONDA 😲

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1149743/Picture-100ft-long-snake-sparks-fears-mythical-monster-Borneo.html

From the Daily Mail who also had an article on Kraken, so it must be true!!

Monitor Lizards are supposed to be smart for reptiles. I have never saw one face to face though. The octopus and cuddle fish are very clever.