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Ross
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Posted: 26 Dec 2004 Topic: scotland



Glasgow is a good place to observe frogs, toads and newts. The only snake that I have seen is an escaped corn snake (elaphe guttata). I have heard that arbroath is a good place to observe adders, I cannot back this though (no-one I know will go with me). Generally Scotland is not as good as England for finding herps.


Ross
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Posted: 26 Dec 2004 Topic: ringhals



Has anyone had contact with this beautiful serpent? I am intrigued by it, any information on it will be greatly appreciated.

Ross




Ross
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Posted: 26 Dec 2004 Topic: Bad adder day



That is the saddest thing I have ever seen, it sickens me to hear stories such as this.


Ross
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Posted: 27 Dec 2004 Topic: Nubian Spitting Cobra



Has anything else been learned about this species yet?


Ross
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Posted: 27 Dec 2004 Topic: Snake spotted in Lanzarote



Firstly, I was under the opinion that no snakes were indigenous to Lanzarote. So imagine my surprise when I came across gorgeous 1 metre speciman. To me it looked like a Horseshoe Whip Snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis) it had yellow and black colouration. It had circle-like markings along its back. Any ideas what else it could be? I know that the Horseshoe lives in Portugal, could it have swam or stowed away on a boat?  


Ross
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Posted: 28 Dec 2004 Topic: pic of slow worm feeding



Great picture mate!


Ross
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Posted: 29 Dec 2004 Topic: Nocturnal species



Please excuse my ignorance, I have tried to research this question and so far came up blank.

 As we know reptiles bask in the sun to build up a store of kinetic energy also as a means to regulate internal temperature. How do nocturnal reptiles attain these goals? Do they sleep in a den semi-exposed to the sun, or is there a more sceintific answer?

Thanks

Ross




Ross
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Posted: 29 Dec 2004 Topic: Career in herpetology



Ever since that day some 10 years ago when I found my first wild adder with my Uncle I gave up on my dreams of becoming a chef to work with these fascinating creatures. My school work improved (you need top grades to attend university) and everything was going to plan.

 Well anyways, my parents hit a financial snag which meant that they could'nt support me through my A-levels, so I left school with only my credit GCSE's.

 I have recently applied to a good few universities, however I have been shot down by each of them. Apparantly I can get in with the relevant experiance. What does that mean? I can't get a job with herps without experiance and I can't get experiance without a job!

 I could of course do some field work, but the major reason for me wanting to go to uni is to learn how to deal with these animals in the own environment. It would'nt be fair on them having some novice messing around with them! Basically i'm running around in circles.

Would the proteus courses aid me? Or is the A-level my best route? 

If anyone can offer advice then I would greatly appreciate it!

Ross

Ross38350.192662037


Ross
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Posted: 29 Dec 2004 Topic: ringhals



Thank you for the info Danny!


Ross
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Posted: 29 Dec 2004 Topic: Career in herpetology



Yeah, I have looked into joining my local arg but it has apparantly closed down. I will look for another herp club.

Cheers for the advice

Ross




Ross
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Posted: 29 Dec 2004 Topic: Stupid but lucky



I took my first hit yesterday from a 7ft carpet, God it hurt, the sod chewed on my forearm needless to say it bled....a lot! I was just wondering if I need some shot or other? I can't imagine the pain of taking a hit from a hot! Glad you were ok.

Ross




Ross
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Posted: 30 Dec 2004 Topic: Career in herpetology



Dr Brady

 Firstly I would like to thank you very much. All advice is most welcome. I was thinking along the same lines as yourself. I am fairly certain that my local arg which would be the clyde one is no longer running. I have emailed and phoned several times but to no avail. To date, I have still not found any local groups, I will of course keep trying to find one.

 As for the BHS, I would love to get involved, however I would never get the time off work. Perhaps I can get involved when I start at college. Unless anyone knows of any Scottish meetings that is. I live in a semi-rural community, so finding newts, frogs and toads is just a matter of walking to the shops. I guess for now I can just omit lizards and snakes from my studies.

Cheers again

Ross




Ross
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Posted: 31 Dec 2004 Topic: Nocturnal species



Vicar,

 Thank you for your reply! That is a very interesting base for me to start from, I never even thought of that.

Cheers

Ross




Ross
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Posted: 01 Jan 2005 Topic: Nubian Spitting Cobra



That is quite sickening! Why are people so selfish? We surely should be working hard to preserve these animals, and as per usual someone is trying to make a quick buck.


Ross
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Posted: 01 Jan 2005 Topic: ringhals



Thank you for the info Tony! Hope you had a safe trip.


Ross
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Posted: 02 Jan 2005 Topic: Is Aesculapian snake still around?



If there is an isolated population, can the government not protect them under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981? If they have been established for over 30 years, then surely we should do our upmost to protect them.


Ross
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Posted: 25 Mar 2005 Topic: Ribbon snake



How would you suggest that I add some variety to a ribbon snakes diet? I know that they will take earthworms, crickets, small fish etc...

The guy in the store told me he has only fed it with pinkies, what do you suggest?




Ross
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Posted: 26 Mar 2005 Topic: Ribbon snake



I apologise wholeheartedly, believe me when I say that I'm not in the habit of keeping anything other than a dog as a pet! However if you saw the conditions that the snake was kept in then each and every member of this forum would have purchised it also!


Ross
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Posted: 26 Mar 2005 Topic: Localised population issues



In my area we have one small pond maybe 20ft by 10ft and a small relatively fast flowing river. We have always achieved a good population of frogs, however I chose a different route home from the shop this morning and came across bucketfulls of desicated spawn lying on the road. Now kids always go and collect tadpoles, but this was blatant rape of nature! What will this do the the local population? I don't view the river as a means for frogs to spawn, and the quantity suggests that the pond has been wiped out, I will head down there later and see what's what!


Ross
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Posted: 26 Mar 2005 Topic: Career in herpetology



[QUOTE=administrator]

Ross,

A list of local groups can be found at

http://www.froglife.org/HGBI/ARGs.htm

Clyde is still listed, perhaps it would be worth trying to contact them again?

[/QUOTE]

 

4 months on and I still can't contact anyone, very odd! Oh well, guess it's time to give up on that route!




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