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RE: Mark O'Shea Answers Questions
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by Mark_OShea on March 17, 2006
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Yes, big shoes to fill, following Tony.
Wolfgang Wuster, Cathy Pook and I joined Tony and his team on a visit to some of his S.African adder haunts before 5th World Congress last year. You can find out more about his Cape Reptile Institute by visiting his site http://www.crepinstitute.co.za/
Tips, the best way to study adders is to disturb them as little as possible. Of course for initial data it is necessary to measure, weigh then etc but Tony got to know his snakes(some around 30 years old) and was happy to watch them without them knowing he was there.
Another tip, when out studing snakes don't make it too obvious to those persons around who do not like them. Ostentacious snake catching equipment can attract unwelcome attention so be low-key when you can.
Good luck, we are off our to check some rare Midlands sites soon.
Mark
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RE: Mark O'Shea Answers Questions
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by Mark_OShea on March 17, 2006
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Hi Trisha
I am pleased to hear your group are considering a trip up to WMSP. Distance, what distance, don't let the Americans here you saying 100miles is too far, those fellows travel across their entire country to get to reptile shows. S.Wales (even Pembrokeshire) is not all that far from WMSP, we get a huge number of Welsh visitors at the Park and hear as many lilting Welsh accents as broad Brummie ones. Either up the M50 and then the M5 or up to Aberystwyth and through the Black Mountains if you want the scenic route.
I don't have any leaflets here but if you check out the website www.wmsp.co.uk or phone 01299 402114 you can probably get a group booking package sent out to you. There is plenty to see and do on a nice day but avoid the bank holidays, they can be incredibly busy.
You can send me your club leaflet care of the Safari Park (address on their site). My travels don't take me to Wales mush, apart from bookshopping at Hay on Wye once a year.
Mark
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RE: Mark O'Shea Answers Questions
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by Mark_OShea on March 17, 2006
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Hi Steve, Long time ago wasn't it. I remember coming to your house in Birmingham to buy a pair of Great Plains ratsnakes and remarking that you must like Budgie, cos you had lots of the same album. I've still got the signed album you gave me, sadly not the ratsnakes all these years later, nor for that matter, a record player.
I remember Burke doing the Stone the Crows thing and nearly electricuting himself, like their vocalist, when he completed the circuit, before mics had circuit breakers or something wasn't it.
You were married to a Texan lady back then I recall, still together ?
Yes, if Budgie is touring the UK let me know I will try to get to the gig. I may be overseas this autumn but we may coincide so keep me posted.
New guitarist eh, Ozzy is from around here you know, and Plant and Page from Zep, and Slade of course, and Roy Wood of Move and Wizzard, lots of rockers around these parts.
Talk of blast from the past, it must be at least 25 years !!
best wishes, great to hear from you again, Mark
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RE: Mark O'Shea Answers Questions
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by Pywacket on March 19, 2006
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Cheers Mark.
I'm sure the other VR members won't appreciate personal messages taking up space here so perhaps you'd consider emailing me. My address is in the profile section. I'll get back to you with tour dates later in the year and hopefully we can meet up again. Good site this huh? I'd love to keep venomous species. Legally of course!
All the best.
Steve.
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Mark O'Shea Answers Questions
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by cobraviper on March 21, 2006
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Hello
I am using reptiles as a part of my dissertation, and have a keen interest in herpetology, however I have not found any thing on reptillian intelligence, any info would be appriciated.
Keep up the good work,
Karl Hudson
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RE: Mark O'Shea Answers Questions
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by bothrops03 on March 21, 2006
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Hi Mark! The Bothrops diporus X Bothrops neuwiedi paranaensis hybrids are captive born. Nevertheless, I think that hybrid would exist in the wild, because those species are very related (Bothrops diporus was Bothrops neuwiedi diporus until 2004, if I am not wrong). I prefer pure species too, but these hybrid are very nice...
By the way... a friend who gave me the hybrid also has an adult Bothrops alternatus X Bothrops neuwiedi paranaensis hybrid that was wild caught in Misiones (north-east Argentina). That hybrid was pregnant when was caught, and she had babies. I donīt know which what species have bred, but maybe with B. neuwiedi paranaensis. So, Bothrops hybrids do exist in the wild, and very rare ones!!
I didnīt want one of those babies, because those rare hybrids donīt like me at all. They have a lot of crosses and you donīt know nothing about them. Besides, like you told it, the venom could be quite different.
Cheers!
Martin
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RE: Mark O'Shea Answers Questions
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by Mark_OShea on March 22, 2006
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Hi Karl
I would say reptiles, in general, are probably not that intelligent, certainly not snakes and lizards despite what some keepers like to believe. The exception there would possibly be the king cobra, eveyone who works with them or keeps them comes to the conclusion there is something going on behind those eyes. So that narrows your search somewhat.
Bruce Young, who filmed with me in India when we went looking for kings, has done some work in this line and I am sure Rom Whitaker would comment on this too, he knows more about kings than most.
As for other reptiles, crocodiles seem to learn, look at the recent work training them in US zoos, they certainly remember when and where to catch wildebeest in the Mara River during the migration, but then crocs are nearer to birds and dinosaurs than to snakes and lizards, so it is not surprising they appear more intelligent. Some say large lizards like Komodos may be similar but of course they are not related to crocs.
Food for thought ?
best wishes
Mark
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RE: Mark O'Shea Answers Questions
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by Mark_OShea on March 22, 2006
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Hi Martin
Yes hydrids do occur in the wild but where races overlap and reproduce we might term them intergrades. We tend to think of hybrids as non-reproducing animals like mules but whether two species can breed together goes to the heart of the "Species Concept" one of the most controversal subjects in biology.
I agree, I prefer natural species and subspecies over hybrids, I photograph the latter but would not desire to keep them.
I was amused to hear the hybrids don't like you, maybe they have a double-dose of aggressive Bothrops gene from both parent species !
I also do not like playing God with captive populations.
Best wishes
Mark
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RE: Mark O'Shea Answers Questions
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by bothrops03 on March 22, 2006
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Hi again, Mark! Yes, this hybrid is a demon. Both Bothrops diporus and Bothrops neuwiedi paranaensis are very aggressive (mainly B. n. paranaensis). I have to handle it with caution!
I'm so moved because you answer my posts, It's difficult to explain, but you and Jeff Corwin are my idols! :)
...and I'll take advantage of this opportunity and I'll ask you another thing... How many times have you been bitten by venomous snakes? Which was the WORST bite and how it has happened?
I hope you understand my bad english! LOL! I donīt practice it frequently.
Regards,
Martin
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by sniperviper01 on March 23, 2006
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HI mark, im very interested about learning more about sea snakes and sea kraits. i was wondering if you know were i could get some good info on them and if it was possible to own one in a private collection. i live in new mexico and its hard to find anything in this area. thank you for your time.
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