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armata
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Posted: 30 Dec 2006 Topic: Treatment of adder bite link



Oudtshoorn in SA is 'cobra city' right now, with the odd puff adder and boomslang thrown in. In particular a good number of big male Cape cobras.
In Cape Town they also get a lot of big mole snakes; which are often confused by lay paople with cobras.

Going down to Knysna tomorrow to scout around and get samples of puff adder, and hopefully night adder.

Good way to see the New Year in; a nice road cruise.


'I get my kicks on Route 62'
armata
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Posted: 30 Dec 2006 Topic: Treatment of adder bite link



Hi Shaun

I am the Tony Phelps; howzit!

Got a good spot for night adders and rinkhals between George and Knysha- Johannes and I are leaving shortly - just hope the coast warms up a bit - its even getting cool here in Oudtshoorn.

When you gonna come on my handling course?the next one is at Driftsands, Cape Town in Feb.

Take care & Happy New Year


'I get my kicks on Route 62'
armata
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Posted: 30 Dec 2006 Topic: Treatment of adder bite link



Have had quite a few 'old hands' on my courses to date; and they have gone away having learned quite a bit.
They realise for example only rarely will they ever have to 'neck' a snake again.

The course is quite intensive and I have had app 20% failure rate. All funds go to my work on adder research.

In future courses will also include sampling methods and morphometric analyses. And why we do it.

The thing about herpetology, like other natural history disciplines, its a big learning curve. I've been half a centure messing with snakes, and I am still learning.


'I get my kicks on Route 62'
armata
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Posted: 30 Dec 2006 Topic: Treatment of adder bite link



No, I was not talking about 'old hands' from CRC.

Hook and tail is great for cobras and boomslang, but a big no no for puff adders; unless you can double hook 'em. And there is no reason to ever neck a puffie; they are so easily damaged, and most bites to handlers are received this way. Necking is OK if you are milking captive stock, or perhaps taking ticks from around the head; but mostly it is not necessary.
I believe in a stress-free life for both snake and handler.
Shaun - do you sample your catches? we are always looking for DNA as you know.


'I get my kicks on Route 62'
armata
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Posted: 01 Jan 2007 Topic: I have red eared terrapins !



Main thing is not to let them escape into your local pond.

They are now banned in SA


'I get my kicks on Route 62'
armata
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Posted: 01 Jan 2007 Topic: Treatment of adder bite link



Hi Shaun

Do you keep records of all your releases, GPS etc?

WE are trying to establish a protocol, snakes released within 20km of origin. We (Cape Reptile Institute) can then create a central database for such eventually.
Its not politics, but just good science.


'I get my kicks on Route 62'
armata
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Posted: 01 Jan 2007 Topic: Knysna snakes



saw the new year in looking for Causus rhombeatus in Knysna on the coast - only place inW.Cape where they are found. Re
sults great, plus rinkhals.


'I get my kicks on Route 62'
armata
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Posted: 30 Mar 2007 Topic: Biiiig puddy tats



Gillian Anderson? oh yes the frigid midget




'I get my kicks on Route 62'
armata
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Posted: 30 Mar 2007 Topic: Adder Translocation



Thanks MandS for the detail.

Were the adder IDd in anyway, and is there funding for monitoring the site.
I think adders have bred at the reptiliary but MN can tell us more.
Lets hope that this was a one off.
And you are quite right in stating re other priorities with other elusive populations.

Graeme??? can you heard the sighs and groans on the wind


'I get my kicks on Route 62'
armata
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Posted: 30 Mar 2007 Topic: Adder bite



No antivenom then? Antivenom is underused in the UK but widely used in places like Sweden the modern stuff is very good.

Jerry - why didn't you tube the darn things??

Anyway hope you are more comfortable now.


'I get my kicks on Route 62'
armata
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Posted: 30 Mar 2007 Topic: Hitting the Mother Lode!



Mating activity will kick of in the next week or so, so males won't have dispersed too far. Find the fat female and just watch. (take your camera).


'I get my kicks on Route 62'
armata
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Posted: 30 Mar 2007 Topic: sign of the times ?



Male sloughing is less synchronised in recent years

(in press)


'I get my kicks on Route 62'
armata
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Posted: 15 Sep 2007 Topic: DO WE NEED A HERPS CoNFESSIoN COLUMM



I have a confession

Coming to the UK next month for my daughter's 18th bash and I don't think I got time for any herping (if winter hasn't come early anyway!!)


'I get my kicks on Route 62'
armata
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Posted: 15 Sep 2007 Topic: DO WE NEED A HERPS CoNFESSIoN COLUMM



Don't even have a motor, still working out how to get to West Wales!!

on a very tight budget


'I get my kicks on Route 62'
armata
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Posted: 18 Sep 2007 Topic: LAST SPOTTINGS OF THE YEAR



Ooh I can play (for a day anyway) in UK next month for daughters's 18th bash.


'I get my kicks on Route 62'
armata
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Posted: 18 Sep 2007 Topic: Natrix where you least expect them!



I shall be in Tregaron next month(via Saudi Arabia & Guildford) so might check up on the bog adders.


'I get my kicks on Route 62'
armata
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Posted: 19 Sep 2007 Topic: LAST SPOTTINGS OF THE YEAR



Sorry Mark tis a very quick visit may manage a quiclie to Chobham

next April for def in Dorset


'I get my kicks on Route 62'
armata
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Posted: 25 Feb 2008 Topic: fav pics



Now you know why some female slow worms have memorable scars from amorous males


'I get my kicks on Route 62'
armata
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Posted: 25 Feb 2008 Topic: WHAT NO MORE 2008 SLOWORMS



Grass snakes will be mating before adders, and as they are income breeder they often feed and mate, sometimes on the same day. There breeding period seems to extend beyond that of the adder as well - look out for those mating balls folks!!


'I get my kicks on Route 62'
armata
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Posted: 25 Feb 2008 Topic: DESTRUCTIoN OF HABITAT BY TIDYING UP



Re the adder photo - the one on the left is a young female, probably a non-breeder this year, not too unusual, if you keep an eye on her bet she moves off in a couple of weeks. Notice, apart from colour, the zigzag is not so bold, and you can just make out the tail


'I get my kicks on Route 62'

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