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Hot spots around Vegas?
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by taipan9 on February 2, 2007
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Hey everyone, I wanted to ask a quick question here... I have lived in Las Vegas, NV. for a year and a half now (that's two seasons) and I have yet to run across a single hot herp. I keep hearing about them, I keep reading about them, but I have not seen one since moving here and I thought this place would be great for such a thing. While I know I don't have a tremendous amount of time to devote to wandering around in the desert, I still think that I should have run across one or two, during one of my many outings... Does anyone know of any good spots? This season is rapidly approaching with the weather getting warmer and I don't want another year of let downs....
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Tom
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RE: Hot spots around Vegas?
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by venomrob on February 6, 2007
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i have been to arizona desert twice and i came out with a western and a mojave both times. surprised the hell out of me this was last yr and the yr before and they are all eating great still. the best time to go is when they are coming out of hibernation and it helps to find their dens ahead of time. also DONT GO BY YOURSELF!!!!! this cant be stressed enough. they are very cranky snakes especially when they havent eaten plus i wouldnt recommend doing it if you are doing it just for "fun".
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RE: Hot spots around Vegas?
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by tigers9 on February 8, 2007
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I live in the middle of the desert on 10 acres next to mountain and BLM land, 10 miles west of Pahrump, about 1 hour east of Death Valley National Park and over 1 hour west of Las Vegas.
I own big cats and harmless reptiles, but these guys:
http://www.rexano.org//CB_SAFETY.htm
hang out on my property all the time, and in few months baby rattlers will invade my property, so go to Pahrump.
These guys blend in so well with the rocky soil where I live, great camouflage.
I would actually like some advice on what tongs to buy and how to use them to relocate rattlers as they keep getting into my animal's cages and even bite my dogs and exotic cats.
There are many tarantulas, black widow spiders and scorpions there too, the only one I worry about is a nasty bark scorpion too, so be careful.
I have to warn you, don't blame me if you go and see no snakes.
For some reason I attract venomous snakes, I drove thru Nebraska once in summer, stopped at rest stop for 2 minutes(my only stop in Nebraska as there is nothing else to do there for me) and almost stepped on rattler in strike position.I was barefoot.
Few years ago I went to Death valley and met sidewinder on the road and next day I ended up in a cave full of rattlers. Then I talked to park ranger who told me he has been there for 6 years and never met a sidewinder, I am like a monster magnet for venomous snakes, so any info on how to catch and relocate them from my animal cages (and not get bitten) would be great.
Zuzana Kukol
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RE: Hot spots around Vegas?
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by taipan9 on February 8, 2007
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Thanks for the info! I made a trip out to the Nelson/Lake Mojave area last weekend and found a few old mine shafts that I plan on checking out when I don't have my dog with me and I have a buddy and brighter flashlights.....I think this may be a good wintering spot for these guys. I'll also have to check out pahrump- I wish I had the guy before me's luck....I have a hell of a time finding these guys when I'm looking for them, well atleast I do out here- when I lived in Florida it was no problem at all.
To the guy before me....go to widwest tongs and check out their tongs- they're the best (in my opinion) and I believe they're advertised right on this very site, if I remember correctly. You can find a nice set of long tongs that will keep these guys well out of striking distance, using them is rather self explanatory when you see them....good luck with that!
Oh, and please don't tell me how dangerous it is to explore abandoned mine shafts....I'm well aware of the danger and I do have some experience with them and I have extensive experience with spelunking- I will not be going into just any mine shaft, I will carefully assess the structural integrity of said hole in the ground and take the necessary precautions...I am a very safe person, despite the fact that I am looking in 100 year old mine shafts for venomous reptiles... (haha)
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RE: Hot spots around Vegas?
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by tigers9 on February 8, 2007
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<<, I will carefully assess the structural integrity of said hole>>
Don't worry, I will not give any advice regarding holes.;)
I have been to Lake Mohave and Nelson many times jet skiing, never met a reptile there...yet. Funny you mentioned the dogs, do you vaccinate yours against rattler bites? Do you know more about the rattler vaccine for dogs (info on the link below), do they work on snakes in Nevada region? I am considering vaccinating my canines since they keep playing with the rattlesnakes and provoking them. It was not a problem in WA state where I lived before since it was harmless garter snakes, it is a problem here.
<< To the guy before me....go to widwest tongs>>
if you are addressing me, I am female.:)
Zuzana
http://www.rexano.org//CB_SAFETY.htm
UC DAVIS: Management and Prevention of Rattlesnake Bites in Pets, Use of the Rattlesnake Vaccine in Dogs
Red Rock Biologics: rattlesnake vaccine for dogs
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RE: Hot spots around Vegas?
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by taipan9 on February 8, 2007
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First off, I apologize- I overlooked the fact that you are a female... secondly, no I have not vaccinated my dog against rattlesnake venom; in fact, only recently has this creation even come to my knowledge of existence- not knowing much about it, I could guess and say its probably something similar to crofab or whatever that generic rattlesnake antivenin is called...in which case, yes it would be effective against all except maybe the green mojave- not real sure though....but it is irrelevant in my case anyway, my dog (as fierce as she thinks she is) is deathly afraid of all snakes, she won't even come near enough to sniff one of my boas, she simply hauls ass in the opposite direction every time he comes out of his cage and will avoid him until he returns there....I guess the only way she could get bit is by accidentally coming to close; but she is quite wary of her surroundings, except for cacti- she feels the need to mess with that everytime- last weekend I had to yank out dozens of little spikes from all 4 paws, her face and even her tongue- it was not fun, but she seemed no worse for wear afterwards...
Oh...and about that facility you are at, can the public stop by and check out what's there? Or is it strictly a private thing?
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RE: Hot spots around Vegas?
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by Cro on February 8, 2007
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Zuzana, you asked if the vaccines produced by Red Rock Biologics for treating snake bite in dogs would work for the snakes found in Nevada. The answer is "yes and no," depending on what kind of rattlesnake your dog runs into, and what part of the state you are in at the time.
The vaccine does protect against the Great Basin, Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake, Sidewinder Rattlesnake, and Panamint Rattlesnakes that are found in your area. All of these snakes are fairly small, and the venom is not considered to be extremly strong.
The vaccine was mostly designed for use against the bite of the Western Diamond-Backed Rattlesnake, that is found in Nevada from the Newberry Mountain Range Southward. This snake has long fangs, and a large supply of potent venom, thus making it very dangerous.
The Vaccine does not work against the bite of the Mojave Rattlesnake, which is found in Nevada in Clark, Southern Nye, and Southern Lincoln Counties. This snake has a very dangerous venom.
You have to vaccinate the dogs, and then have periodic booster doses to maintain the titer of protection.
This is something you should discuss with your vet as to costs and possible dangers. There are some risks in using a vaccine like this, and these potential risks should be something your vet will be able to tell you more about.
Hope this helps. Best Regards JohnZ
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rattlers vaccine, was:RE: Hot spots around Vegas?
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by tigers9 on February 8, 2007
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Thanks John,
I am in south Nye county (Pahrump), so I am moslty dealing with Panamint rattlesnake and possibly Mohave rattler.
Once I found one of my smaller exotic cats with her head swollen double the size and half dead/dry rattlesnake in the cage, cat survived.
Other time one of my Dobermans also had swolen head, never found the snake, I assume the dog ate it, they eat anything....Dog lived too.
I had another dog die of Bark scorpion(Centruroides exilicauda). By the time I took him to the vet he was too far gone, happened on Sunday when many vets are closed.
I did not realize what bit him until after his death, I researched it, and the unfortunate thing about Centruroides exilicauda bite is it does NOT swell up like snake bite, so I had no clue. I later found this medical case of a dog from South America and bingo, they reported symptoms, the dog as being NOISY, Centruroides exilicauda bark is supposedly very painful so the animal (or kid) screams.
Unfortunatley my dog was a whiner so I did not relaize this one was this serious...
A friend of mine is a local vet, she has some small pet exotic (reptiles, hoofstock), plus many dogs, I just emailed her and asked about her input regarding this vaccine, since considering how my dogs are suicidal, risk from vaccine might be less than them being bitten again. But since there is no vaccine against Mohave rattler, I can never be sure what bit them...
Tough decisions.
Zuzana
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pets in Rattler territory, was: RE: Hot spots
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by tigers9 on February 8, 2007
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You are lucky to have a dog scared of snakes, my dogs mess with everything.
My own facility/animals is not open to the public, my big cats are my pets. I help in Las Vegas with training my friends' big cats for magic show (www.fercos.com), they were in Dollywwod, TN last year and might again this year.
But they do not exhibit the animals at their property either, they only do shows.
Few months ago my young lion ended up falling on top of big cactus, fortunately it was the kind with 1 inch needles, not the tiny ones. I had to give him Benadryl to make him sleepy so I could remove the needles, like over 100 of them.
I always keep Benadryl around since I myself am extremely allergic to cats an I also give it to dogs when they get bitten by rattlesnake or bee to reduce the itching and swelling.
Can it hurt to give them Benadryl after a snake bite?
Just wondering if I might be doing more damage than good.
Z
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RE: rattlers vaccine, was:RE: Hot spots around Veg
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by Cro on February 8, 2007
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Zuzana, many dogs and cats are able to survive the bites of some venomous snakes without treatment.
If your dogs or cats had been bitten by a Mohave Rattlesnake, they would probably have not survived without immediate treatment from a vet with antivenom. The bite of that snake is probably the most dangerous of any snake venom in this country.
This makes me think that they probably ran into a Panamint Rattlesnake, Great Basin Rattlesnake, or a Sidewinder Rattlesnake.
You mentioned that you live near the mountains, which is where the Panamint Rattlesnakes prefer to live. The Mohave Rattlesnakes are more often found on the desert floor areas, so if you are lucky, you just might not live in an area where you will likely find a Mohave Rattlesnake.
As far as the Centruroides Scorpion, they are really bad news. Very dangerous critters. Most Scorpion envenomations are, as you mentioned, very painfull for a long time. That is probably the main thing you should look for is an animal in constant pain.
As far as keeping the Benadryl around, it is a good idea, and will not hurt to use it if one of your animals is bitten again. There is always the chance of Anaphylactic Shock as part of a snake bite or scorpion sting. You might even want to consider having your vet order an Ana /Epi Pen which contains adrenaline in case you need it in the treatment for anaphylaxis. There is the slight potential that a snake bitten dog that has been vaccinated will develope a sensitivity to snake venom, and when bitten by a rattlesnake, will go into anaphylaxis. This is however very rare. Having an Epi Pen or Benaddryl in a case like that could save the dogs life.
Overall, considering the area you live in, and the number of animals you have had bitten by rattlesnakes, I believe that the using the vaccinations on your dogs would outweigh the potential risk. The vaccine is not approved for cats or other livestock yet, but I understand that the company is working on versions for other animals.
Best Regards JohnZ
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