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refugees
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by Cheeseman on February 23, 2001
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I orginally posted this in the viper forum, and should have placed it here insted.
Hey all... Development here in NC is displacing all sorts of animals, and among
these habitat refugees are endangered pygmy rattlers. Theres no way that
county animal control can arrive fast enough to capture these nomads. I don't
keep snakes, I prefer pets, but I am sympathetic toward them and do my best to
keep them from getting flattened, but I'd be happier if the pygmies were not so
close. So would the pygmy rattlesnakes since their lifespan is very likely to be
shortened by humans accidentally or deliberately if they live near this many
people.
Ok, here's my preperation, PLEASE tell me the flaw(s) in my plan. I have a long
handled (6') wide mouth, fine mesh butterfly/bird net, and a 30 gallon rubber
trash can w/a latching lid and rubber straps which prevent the can from opening
if it tips over. I put lots of ripstop nylon scraps at the bottom of the can, and I can
open the lid with two modified pool cues while its on its side. My plan is to
scoop the pygmies w/the net, since they tend to be small and squirrelly, place
them in the can, latch it twice and drive them to the state forrest south of here.
The drive is about an hour, and a bungy will keep the can stable and upright in
the back, there should be no need for ventilation (right?), but I'm not sure what
temp. to try to keep them at in the car, just no direct sun on the can. Upon
arrival aim the can into the woods, and open it with my sticks, and genlty raise
the bottom of the can to slide out nylon and viper. I can do this from the reletive
safety of the back of the wagon so my feet don't even have to be on the ground.
The closest I should have to get is when I place the lid on the can which is at
least twice as tall as any pygmy I've seen, and What have I not thought of ???!!! I
know that nothing is zero risk but this seems close... I'm trying to approach this
like handling dynamite, or dioxin 'cause I'm not sympathetic enough to get bitten
trying to help. Thanks in advance experts.
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RE: refugees
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by Charper on February 23, 2001
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Sounds like a fine plan. Whenever you capture any reptiles, it is always safest to put them in a cool, dark place. Don't let the temps exceed 86 F or go lower than 50 F. The butterfly net is okay as long as it isn't too deep. Be advised: Pigmy bites to fingers often enough lead to lost fingers.
When you release them, it doesn't matter if you stand on the ground as long as you are wearing leather boots. There isn't a Pigmy alive that could pierce a leather work boot. It isn't too difficult to stay out of their way.
Here is the legal dilemma: It is illegal to capture and relocate these snakes or be in possession of them. ( See the article entitled North Carolina Draft Policy on the homepage. Also, go to Bushmastersonline.com and read the 44 page paper by Dean Ripa called Degenerated Science. )
It is illegal to possess Eastern Diamondbacks, Timber rattlesnakes, Coral snakes, or Pigmy rattlesnakes in any way or for any reason in the State of North Carolina. Apparently, the NC Fish and Game doesn't care if their habitat is destroyed and the snakes as a result though. You can drive over them with bulldozers all day long, just as long as you aren't out there with a bucket picking them up and moving them to safe habitat.
You do what your heart leads you to do. I know what I'd do.
CH
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