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Speckled Rattlesnake
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by Jahon on September 16, 2007
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A couple of friends and I went to the Indian Cove campground in Joshua Tree National Park, located in Southern California, and we were lucky enough to catch a beautiful southwestern speckled rattlesnake. Has about 3 rattles, and about 18 inches long. Very nervous and twitchy little guy but he has settled down quite a bit. The amazing thing about this guy is 1 day after establishing a cage for him he ate a live adult mouse! I've kept a few WC snakes in the past and none of them have accepted food after 1 day of capturing it. Just thought I'd share, anything else you might want to tell me about speckleds I would love to hear it. Thanks, and have a great day.
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RE: Speckled Rattlesnake
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by Rob_Carmichael on September 16, 2007
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I thought herps inside Joshua Tree are protected and cannot be collected? Am I missing something? With so many captive bred specks available its too bad we still have to resort to field collecting.
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
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RE: Speckled Rattlesnake
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by GREGLONGHURST on September 16, 2007
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Unless I have it wrong, there are no National Parks in which removing animals or plants is allowed. Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints.
~~Greg~~
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RE: Speckled Rattlesnake
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by Buzztail1 on September 16, 2007
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I have been to Joshua Tree National Park and can tell you from personal experience that the Park Rangers are very serious about NOT taking any snakes from the park.
Fortunately for us, all we had taken were some pictures.
That said, several of the pictures were of a gorgeous Speckled Rattlesnake that was crossing the road that runs through the center of the park.
One other small thing to note: The Park Ranger who stopped to talk to us told me that he enjoyed reading my posts and seeing the pictures that I posted of what I saw. Those LE guys sure seem to know their way around the internet ;-)
R/
Karl
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RE: Speckled Rattlesnake
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by Jahon on September 16, 2007
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Well sorry guys. Quite frankly, the fact that I was in a national park was the last thing on my mind when I saw the little guy. I realize that's not an excuse for capturing it, but we saw many of them and I decided to capture the smallest one I saw, was not collecting lots of them or anything. Again, I realize thats no excuse, but sorry for any hurt feelings.
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RE: Speckled Rattlesnake
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by Jahon on September 16, 2007
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I would kind of have to disagree with you on field collecting though Rob. I have not seen any CB southwestern speckleds on any reliable source like Glades, Diamond Reptiles, or Chameleon Counters. But the point remains that even though I don't believe in massive field collecting that could hurt the wild populations, I am not against capturing a few specimens for personal collections. After all, not all venomous snakes you see up for sale have pure CB blood lines. Again, not using this as an excuse for capturing a rattler in a national park, but my own personal view on WC reptiles.
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RE: Speckled Rattlesnake
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by Peter84Jenkins on September 16, 2007
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Jahon, do you realize that all you have accomplished here is a bit of self-incrimination? It is very important that we all stay within the boundaries of the law even if it means you might have to look a little harder for a CB specimen of the species you want.
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RE: Speckled Rattlesnake
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by Kingetula on September 17, 2007
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Sure collecting WC snakes is fine as long as you play by the rules. Collecting in a National park is out of bounds even if it is one snake here and one snake there. I don't agree with keeping WC stuff but on the other hand I would never have the snakes I got if someone didn't collect their mother/father or grandmother/G-father from the wild. I'm not saying that I wouldn't keep a WC snake but my first choice is CB and I sure wouldn't take a snake out of a National Park.
One reason for a National park or any park for that matter is to give a safe home for native plants and animals. (A SAFE HOME) By taking a snake out of the park you help defeat the reason we even set aside these places to enjoy.
Please leave are parks alone and enjoy them for what they were set aside for.
Scott
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