Potentially poisonous snake spotted near Haskell; officials urge caution / LJWorld.com

Archive for Thursday, May 21, 2009

Lachesis muta, or bushmaster

May 21, 2009, 3:18 p.m. Updated May 22, 2009, 8:15 a.m.

Venomous snakes allegedly dumped near Haskell

Officials at Haskell are asking people to be on the lookout for poisonous snakes. Enlarge video

Haskell Indian Nations University officials are asking people to use caution on the west side of campus and in locations west of the campus, after a biologist spotted a potentially poisonous snake in the area.

“Just use caution, especially with your animals,” said Chuck Haines, Haskell biologist. “Don’t go very close to the woods for right now.”

Kansas University biology students were contacted to help look for the snake, which Haines identified as a non-native species, possibly a South American bushmaster, a venomous viper. The snakes, which can be up to eight feet in length, are the largest of South American vipers, said William Duellman, KU Natural History Museum Herpetology Division curator. “It’s the big guy,” he said.

Haines said he removed two smaller venomous snakes from the wooded area west of the school on Wednesday and received an anonymous tip that the snakes had been dumped there. Caution signs have been posted throughout Haskell’s campus warning people to be careful.

David McLeod, a KU biology doctoral student, said it’s unlikely the snake will be located because the wooded area is so large. He said non-native snakes should never be released into the wild, as they can “wreak havoc on the natural system.”

A representative of South Junior High School said the school, west of Haskell, and neighboring Broken Arrow School had been apprised of the situation.

An earlier version of this story incorrectly said South African instead of South American viper.

Discussion

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Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.

21 May 2009
at 3:24 p.m.

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Raider (Anonymous) says…

Instead of posting a sign, why don't they just take a ho or a rake, or a rifle to it? That would solve the problem. It's what most people do when thy find a snake in their yard.
21 May 2009
at 3:41 p.m.

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nlf78 (Anonymous) says…

A picture of the possible snake species would also be a big help!
21 May 2009
at 3:46 p.m.

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helter_skelter (Anonymous) says…

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
21 May 2009
at 3:46 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

Raider (Anonymous) says…

Instead of posting a sign, why don't they just take a ho or a rake, or a rifle to it? That would solve the problem. It's what most people do when thy find a snake in their yard.”

Marion writes:

Now don't get me wrong here, Raider…

..your ideas would perfectly acceptable if the reptile in question was a rattler or a copperhead.

The term “South African Viper” is a sort of generic one, covering a few species.

If this snake is something like a puff adder or, heaven forbid, a Gaboon Viper, we could have real problems, especially if a breeding population could establish itself.

Best deal is that the critter gets caught, identified and hopefully traced to its origin, including how it got into this country.
21 May 2009
at 3:47 p.m.

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walleye9898 (Anonymous) says…

Nice non-factual reporting and paranoia stirring.

If it is indeed an african viper (adder) then it is indeed poisonous (actually the term is venomous and it presents toxicity to humans when bitten). Depending on species, viper venom is typically more toxic than the usual venomous snakes we have around here.

These are not indiginous so somebody had to let them loose or they escaped from their cages. What is Haskell doing over there.

I wouldn't call on KU biology students but would prefer the experts in KU Natural History Museum.

Also, what were the two snakes removed on Wednesday? Surely a biology professor with access to experts up the road should be able to ID them by now?
21 May 2009
at 3:49 p.m.

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Herpetologist (Anonymous) says…

The snake in question has not yet been identified, but the eyewitness report suggests it may be a South American viper in the genus Lachesis. Snakes in the genus Lachesis have excellent camouflage and it would be easy to walk past one of these animals without seeing it. Such a snake should be considered dangerous, and the public should not approach large snakes in the area around Haskell Indian Nations University.
Releasing captive animals and introducing non-native species is unethical and typically illegal. Releasing large venomous snakes in areas like Haskell with large numbers of pedestrians and joggers is extremely reckless.
21 May 2009
at 3:50 p.m.

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Bunny_Hotcakes (Anonymous) says…

GIS for “Bitis,” the genus this species is a member of.

http://images.google.com/images?q=Bitis

21 May 2009
at 4:07 p.m.

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otto (Anonymous) says…

I vote we take a large number of bulldozers to clean out all the vegetation in the area to look for the snake. Then we will have a good start on the SLT.
21 May 2009
at 4:08 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

Hey, /buny!

Thanks for the link!

Oh, yeah, I'd just love to stepo on one of those guys!

herpetologist:

Thank you also for the more precie identification; you put things very, very well.

Reminds me of a copperhead named “Harold” a few years (or more!) back!
21 May 2009
at 4:09 p.m.

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Irish (Irish Swearingen) says…

If you see a large snake, don't play with it! NSS!
I want to see one to take a picture and have it posted.
I like snakes myself, think they are fascinating creatures.
Know why they were considered special by some peoples?Because they coil in a circle which is the symbol for eternity and because they shed their skins and are renewed.
Cool, eh?
Where do people get poisonous snakes to dump them?
Did you see Snakes On A Plane? I did.
21 May 2009
at 4:09 p.m.

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autie (Anonymous) says…

South African vipers in Kansas?

Must have followed the trade routes to sneak into country.
21 May 2009
at 4:13 p.m.

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TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…

Or a saw-scaled vipers, one responsible for most or many snake bite deaths in Africa I believe. There are so many there, it could one of 100's. Wow! I'm already keeping my eyes to the ground for the copperheads, find two or three a summer here, two in my garage and two on the patio. Suprised one of us of the dogs haven't been nailed yet. Black Mamba?? Wow!!!
21 May 2009
at 4:13 p.m.

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gogoplata (Anonymous) says…

I saw a wasp buzzing around the entrance to hyvee. LJWorld please alert the public!!!!! This is news man!!
21 May 2009
at 4:19 p.m.

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Boston_Corbett (Anonymous) says…

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
21 May 2009
at 4:22 p.m.

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Boston_Corbett (Anonymous) says…

Autie,

Would this be that the famous world “trade route” leading into Herrington, Kansas?

21 May 2009
at 4:23 p.m.

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Herpetologist (Anonymous) says…

The article is incorrect in two places. The snake has not as yet been identified, though the eyewitness' determination is probably correct. If the snake is in the genus Lachesis, it is from South America or Central America, and the phrase 'South African' in the article is an error. If you are curious, a quick Internet search of “Lachesis snake” returns quite a few images.
The market for venoumous reptiles as pets is extensive, and animals such as this one are easily purchased on-line. The wisdom of keeping these as pets is dubious at best, and releasing them, especially into residential areas, is extremely reckless.
21 May 2009
at 4:25 p.m.

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gogoplata (Anonymous) says…

He said dubious.
21 May 2009
at 4:31 p.m.

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snap_pop_no_crackle (Anonymous) says…

The Dodge Viper is the one to watch out for.
21 May 2009
at 4:31 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

Joe ???
Stan???
Save us !!!!
The herpefans are likely to be out in droves soon, this should be fun. Where's my snake stick?
21 May 2009
at 4:38 p.m.

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tolawdjk (Anonymous) says…

Which is it, South American or South African? Ain't no Bushmasters in Botswanna.
21 May 2009
at 4:40 p.m.

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beim (Anonymous) says…

thur takin our joooobs!
21 May 2009
at 4:58 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

snap_pop_no_crackle (Anonymous) says…

The Dodge Viper is the one to watch out for.”

Marion writes:

That's it!

You nearly made me spill my adult beverage with that one!

LOL!
21 May 2009
at 5:17 p.m.

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JJE007 (Anonymous) says…

This is obviously a newly evolved and exceptionally dangerous species. I call it Bypassicuss interuptus. It is deadly in that it bastardizes all processes while remaining virtually harmless. Its common name is the Taliban viper, though some call it the Apple regifter.
Beware! I spews red herrings which could replace the native mosquito fish.

21 May 2009
at 5:18 p.m.

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JJE007 (Anonymous) says…

I mean “it” spews!~)
21 May 2009
at 5:19 p.m.

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Keith (Anonymous) says…

I'm amused by a snake genus named after one of the three Fates. In particular, the one who measures your life, as in how long you will live. Not long if you encounter the snake.
21 May 2009
at 5:19 p.m.

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JJE007 (Anonymous) says…

I mean, I spews the best but it spews the test.
21 May 2009
at 5:25 p.m.

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Boston_Corbett (Anonymous) says…

Marion: “You nearly made me spill my adult beverage with that one!”

_________________

Going off that gluten-free, organic diet of yours pretty early in the afternoon, eh Marion?
21 May 2009
at 5:27 p.m.

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consumer1 (Anonymous) says…

Oboy! this must be a plant to protect the watershed from the evil road builders who want to pave over everything and kill all animals.
21 May 2009
at 5:31 p.m.

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Boston_Corbett (Anonymous) says…

Marion: “or, heaven forbid, a Gaboon Viper, we could have real problems…”
____________

Translation: 'Run for the hills. If the flu doesn't get you, the Gaboon Vipers will.'
21 May 2009
at 5:32 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

I bow to JJE's 5:17 awesomeness.
21 May 2009
at 5:50 p.m.

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Boston_Corbett (Anonymous) says…

yea, JJE's was pretty good.

21 May 2009
at 6:12 p.m.

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autie (Anonymous) says…

BC, a trade route is a trade route. They are everywhere. Will the N95 mask save us from spewing snakes? Will tin foil hats save us from fallout of brown pit vipers falling from satellites? It is obviously another Al Quida plot.
21 May 2009
at 6:35 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

Yeah, unfortuneatly for the loonies which abound on this forum, foreign species infestation in the form of pythons is endemic in Florida's Everglases.

Pythons and venoumous snakes can hibernate through Kansas winters, so this is not a joke.

Read and learn, even though learning around this forum is discouraged by certain users:

http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/mi…

From the citation:

“Dr. Michael Dorcas and the Davidson College Herpetology laboratory are assisting the National Park Service, Dr. Frank Mazzotti, and his laboratory in their studies of Burmese Pythons in Everglades National Park and surrounding areas. Burmese Pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) are large, constricting snakes, native to southeastern Asia, that are one of the most popular snakes in the pet trade. Unfortunately, most pet owners do not realize that their 3 foot, hatchling python may grow to be longer than 15 feet. At this point, owners are frequently unable to care for such a large snake and release them. Researchers believe this is the initial reason for the population of Burmese Pythons in the Everglades; however, over time these captive snakes have bred in the Park and now there appears to be a well-established population. These snakes thrive in the Everglades because they are habitat generalists and the park has an abundance of prey available to them (nearly any animal that exists in the Everglades). These snakes have the ability to consume large animals and potentially pose a threat to threatened and endangered populations of Florida Panthers and Wood Storks among others in the Everglades. Thus, researchers are studying these animals to discover the best ways to eradicate or control the Burmese Python population. Researchers are conducting road surveys to capture snakes and are radio-tracking pythons in the area. Their goal is to determine how Burmese Pythons are using the habitat available to them in Everglades National Park and document the impact the snakes are having on native animal populations. We have been assisting with this project by conducting surgeries to implant transmitters and temperature dataloggers, aiding data collection along roads, and assisting with GIS analysis.”
21 May 2009
at 6:42 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

Katie says, time to put on your smoke jumper boots, carry your combination flashlight whistles at all times, don't go outside if you don't have to. Stay in the inner most room of your house as it will take longer for the snake to find you.If you think you might be bitten, don't try to suck the poison out without the use of a condom, you don't know where you've been during those black outs.

If you see one, don't try to capture it yourself, always contact a member of the safety team to do that and by all means, always look in the toilet before you sit! Stayed tuned, they will break in with any further updates throughout the night.
21 May 2009
at 7:18 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

Reasonable discussion yet again canned.

To Hell with you people!
21 May 2009
at 7:39 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

Marion,
You seem to think everyone needs you to lead us through all the information on the internet, as though we have no clue about anything at all. Sure, post what you like. That is your privilege.

Let us read at will. Free will.

But don't jump all over us if you post something we already do or don't know and we don't care to talk about it.

Nothing in the terms of use agreement says we have to rehash every thing ever written on the subject just to please you. It's the Internet, not the Marion Documentary Geographical Discovery History Channel. :)

Now, group hug !
( you knew 4:30 was too early for that 1st adult beverage now didn't you?)
wink
21 May 2009
at 7:50 p.m.

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scott3460 (Anonymous) says…

I can't help but think that somehow dick cheney is responsible for this development!
21 May 2009
at 8:17 p.m.

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George_Braziller (Anonymous) says…

Give me a choice between a venomous snake or a yellow jacket and I'm not sure which one it would be.

After two massive staph infections from yellow jacket stings I think I would prefer the snake –- at least I would have known immediately it would potentially kill me.
21 May 2009
at 8:33 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

“Nothing in the terms of use agreement says we have to rehash every thing ever written on the subject just to please you. It's the Internet, not the Marion Documentary Geographical Discovery History Channel. :)”

Marion writes:

Agreed; it's not the History Channel but I do not have to tolerate being constantly attacked for trying to engage in reasonable and rational discussion.

I didn't ask anyone to “re-hash” anything, nor did I “re-hash” a d*mned thing!.

I simply posted info and commentary and was attacked for having done so.

If you are so stupid as to not realise that if a breeding population of such vipers could be established that it would be dangerous, you deserve to get bitten; Darwinism at work.

My “adult beverage” was a Beck's Dark, as I have been cutting grass all day, so you can take a flying leap at a rolling doughnut!

I suppose that the so-called “liberals” have not populated the front porch of Freestate by 4:30, sucking on their Wheats, , so I'll consider myself appropriately chided.

The importation of non-indigenous snake species has been the subject of concern for some time by smarter people than me:

http://ncseonline.org/NLE/CRSreports/…

cont'd:

21 May 2009
at 8:35 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

cont'd:

“From the citation:

“Species found abundantly outside of their normal range can represent an ecological and economic hazard as great or greater than the most far-reaching efforts to protect an endangered species. One current example is the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis). This species invaded Guam from its native habitat in New Guinea and Australia in the 1950s. Its effects include not only major disruptions of electric power transmission, telephone service, military operations, computers, and tourism, but also devastation of the island's bird life. While only mildly poisonous, the snakes have bitten over 200 sleeping humans, including infants. Their secretive behavior predisposes these aggressive nocturnal snakes, which may reach 10 feet long, to stow away in ships and airplanes. Hawaii and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are at particular risk of invasion by this species, but Gulf Coast states, southern California, and Puerto Rico also face some risk. The issue for Congress is oversight of coordination among federal agencies and other institutions, and funding levels for research, control, and prevention of the spread of this species.”

Go here, halfwits, if you are capable of learning:

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/5-2-…

cont'd:

From the citation:

“The Burmese Python is a popular—and legal—pet snake in the United States. In the last five years, there have been nearly 150,000 Burmese pythons imported into the US, and hatchlings can sell for as little as $20. But once the cute baby snakes turn into 15-foot-long beasts that eat more than their owners do, many people decide to just get rid of their pets by releasing them into the wild. The snakes are perfectly at home in the Everglades’ water, heat, and vegetation, and they have no predators.

“All of the Burmese pythons that we see in the park are a product of the international pet trade,” said Skip Snow, a wildlife biologist at Everglades National Park. Snow’s office maintains a “python sightings” hotline so people can alert them to snakes on the loose. Since the mid-1990s, park rangers have had to respond to a steadily increasing number of calls about Burmese pythons in Everglades National Park. The problem is getting much worse now because the snakes are most certainly breeding in the park. They have been found eating squirrels, black rats, possums, and even house wrens.

Wildlife officials are worried because the snakes, which can grow to 20 feet long, may also be preying on native mangrove fox squirrels and wood storks, and they could be competing with the eastern indigo snake for both food and space. The eastern indigo snake is listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a threatened species. There are also increasing serious concerns about human safety as well, since the mammoth snakes are able to subdue and kill alligators, which are much stronger than human beings.”
21 May 2009
at 8:49 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

I am very fond of the flick “Lord of War” and find that a comment made by the uncle of the anti-hero, Yuri Orlov somehow comes to mind in reference to my feelings toward my detractors.

In response to advances by one of Yuri's competitors, Dimitry Orlov said:

“Dimitry Orlov:

” I go tell him to have intercourse with himself.”

Not sure how that applies but sure reads good, doesn't it?
21 May 2009
at 8:50 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

Ravens (Anonymous) says…

I think Multidisciplinary at 7:39 did an excellent job of summing up one said Marion S. Lynn.
___________________

Marion: “Pythons and venoumous snakes can hibernate through Kansas winters, so this is not a joke….”

-
No Marion. You are the joke.”

Marion writes:

I give you leave to go get bent, now.
21 May 2009
at 9:09 p.m.

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TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…

“I can't help but think that somehow dick cheney is responsible for this development!”

I have just recieved intel from a solid source that the snake has been identified as the Keith Olbermann “2-n's” buffoon viper. This snake is very angry and will strike and strike over again until its rating in the venomous snake species goes up, if even a smidgeon.
21 May 2009
at 9:25 p.m.

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xbusguy (Anonymous) says…

Marion writes:

Agreed; it's not the History Channel but I do not have to tolerate being constantly attacked for trying to engage in reasonable and rational discussion.

______________________________________

all-righty then, Marion…. I am just glad that you can see your own wisdom…
21 May 2009
at 9:34 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

Interesting, that somehow you pull:

“If you are so stupid as to not realise that if a breeding population of such vipers could be established that it would be dangerous, you deserve to get bitten; Darwinism at work.” out of my post, and I said nothing of the kind.

I've worked in herpetology before with both Joe Collins and Stan Roth, I see you post things commonly discussed on programs for both adults and children on Animal Planet, and I just don't see why you feel we all need to drop every thing and discuss the abc's just because you did some cut and paste to make sure facts were included.

Adding facts to this article is just fine. I do the same when I see the need. You were the one who did the attacking dear Sir, not I. You told us to go to hell, not we.

I think, if you go back and read carefully, you will find that you and only you were the first offender on this thread.
I simply sought to make you aware of your error and I as your friend found you needed to step back in your verbiage.
21 May 2009
at 10:19 p.m.

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ReadingSports (Anonymous) says…

The Pythons have been quite a problem in the Everglades. This picture was in the news sometime ago.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/ne…

It would be interesting to find out what this thing is. Hopefully it's not an African viper, or South American snake either.

Maybe they could finish the bypass and run it over with a Mustang Cobra.
21 May 2009
at 10:21 p.m.

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riverdrifter (Anonymous) says…

http://tongs.com/index.aspx
Someone may be lucky that this outfit is located over in east KC MO. They stock exotic snake antivenom I believe, though their website makes no mention of it. I have several of their tongs & hooks which I use for snake rescue from roadways. The count this spring so far includes 2 timber rattlers and a juvenile copperhead. The collapsible 40” gentle giant tong is great: folds up and goes under the seat of the truck for quick deployment and they are very easy on the snake. Not going looking for a bushmaster though as Tongs doesn't make a 120” tong!
Yes, you also get an interesting result if you typo thongs.com…

21 May 2009
at 10:46 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

MD, you can bite me.

You dun peassed me off.
21 May 2009
at 11:03 p.m.

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bearded_gnome (Anonymous) says…

scott3460
(Anonymous) says…

I can't help but think that somehow dick cheney is responsible for this development!

scott5150 down to his usual mental wasteland.

***
I'm wondering:
*who set them free there?
*did he/she call Haskell to tell them?
*if so, sounds a bit like a terrorist threat to me!

just if I heard tonight's 6news reportage right somebody called to say they'd released the dangerous snakes there. makes me wonder!

somebody reeeeeeeeeealy mad that the SLT isn't built and wanted revenge? sick.
21 May 2009
at 11:15 p.m.

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Boston_Corbett (Anonymous) says…

Marion: You should understand that MD is one of the few people I know who defends you, in person.

You should be ashamed. When you spit in her eye, you should be ashamed.

But it does not surprise me.

You are a bully, an idiot, and a fraud . You have no intellectual grounding. You are more like Cool—Spiderman than I realized.

You try to “get on top” of any sexy story line and profess your knowledge of the subject matter. Your actual knowledge of these issues is a big failure.

Although I throw the following topic in the mix on a regular basis, it is not because I am an ideologue. It is just because I know enough about the underlying facts that I know you are a terrible fraud and a fake, albeit a “kind” one.

Yes. The Holocaust. Your sycophant worship of David Irving. Your postings on this board which strain credulity of all sorts. When you say “you don't deny the holocaust.” Well, who doesn't…yet you post information straight from the denialists mouths. And then you beg that any post I make about this be “deleted” from the forum.

Marion, you are harmless in some ways. But you promote belief sets which equate you with Rev. Phelps.
21 May 2009
at 11:19 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

Boston_Corbett:

In a real world, I would be able to tell you to go have intercourse with yourself but this is the limited world of the LJW, so I can't tell you that.
21 May 2009
at 11:33 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

Boston, you know where to find me, door will be unlocked. LOL.
21 May 2009
at 11:34 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

just kidding folks, don't want you to get the wrong idea, but it was too funny to not say.
21 May 2009
at 11:40 p.m.

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Katara (Anonymous) says…

badger badger badger badger badger badger….
21 May 2009
at 11:41 p.m.

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Boston_Corbett (Anonymous) says…

Marion:

Its so terribly rough when you have to confront your own postings, eh? I am so glad that Mr. J Kealing is forcing you to clean up your act.

I am so pleased that you have some ability to spell an occasional English word correctly, oh God of Flu and Snakes and Such. You criticize so much, yet you do not tolerate review of any sort.

Oh yes, you are my constant business expert and Bankruptcy Savant. I think Bronze is two for one on this measure with your, however. At least he didn't do his by selling cancer to the general public.

Cheerio, Marion. Polo tomorrow?

21 May 2009
at 11:49 p.m.

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riverdrifter (Anonymous) says…

Marioni,
Poisonous snakes are what drew you here in the first place but you have not an ounce of true affinity toward them.
Have you ever picked up a 55” timber rattler, let her coil around your arm and buzz you right_straight_in_your_ear? It's awesome!
Get out and see the world. Smell the flowers.
“Time's countin' and keeps countin”.
21 May 2009
at 11:49 p.m.

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Katara (Anonymous) says…

And I don't know why Marion is so concerned about a venomous snake by Haskell. He's made it so abundantly clear how Native American culture is inferior to the European's culture.

Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

“I am 1/8 “Native American” and recognise exactly why that culture FAILED and why it should NOT be emulated.

I much prefer to follow my European heritage.

Ya'll have a nice day.

Thanks.

Marion.
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2006/sep…

Frankly, I'm surprised he isn't cheering the snake on.
22 May 2009
at 12:10 a.m.

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RedwoodCoast (Anonymous) says…

So what's “potential” about this African viper's poisonousness?
22 May 2009
at 1:03 a.m.

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igby (Anonymous) says…

If this was someone's pet and they just set it free in the woods, hopefully it was neutered and de-fanged. But why would they keep a loaded snake, sort-of-speak, in their house, if it's bite could kill them.

May be the tipster could shed some light on the history of these snakes.
22 May 2009
at 3:44 a.m.

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swampyankee (Anonymous) says…

Where is St Patrick when we need him ? He is always around on mMarch 17th. Does he go back to England ?
22 May 2009
at 5:01 a.m.

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connected (Anonymous) says…

mongoose mongoose mongoose mongoose mongoose

Where's Riki Tiki Tavi when we need him? Badgering St Pat over a pint in some pub across the pond, perhaps?
22 May 2009
at 7:23 a.m.

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Unix_Admin (Anonymous) says…

I live right by this wooded area and am terrified of snakes!! This really sucks! Can't they go out and do something to trap these snakes??
22 May 2009
at 7:33 a.m.

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skinny (Anonymous) says…

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

22 May 2009
at 7:34 a.m.

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bluerayborn (Anonymous) says…

OMG! This is a bunch of funny comments! The Daily Show should get a hold of this!
22 May 2009
at 8:01 a.m.

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TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…

Bushmaster!!!??? No thank you! Be careful Unix. I hate snakes too. I scream like a little girl when I see one (not really) but I do not dig snakes at all.
22 May 2009
at 8:07 a.m.

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MacHeath (Anonymous) says…

Marion must have taken his meds, and went to bed.

If one were to see Marion, and this snake sitting on a rock, which one would you hit with a stick first?
22 May 2009
at 8:09 a.m.

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doc1 (Anonymous) says…

This is awesome!! It's about time something exciting happened around here.
22 May 2009
at 8:13 a.m.

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autie (Anonymous) says…

oh lord, this is still going today?

Marion: “Pythons and venoumous snakes can hibernate through Kansas winters, so this is not a joke….” hmmm?
Marion, you complained last night about not having rational discourse? OK. Your argument is half right and half wrong. You take the shotgun view of your comment. I would not argue the potential for certain species to survive in Kansas. depending on where they came from. But..but…pythons, even though they are thriving in south Florida, would not survive the Kansas winter. They are all tropical and would not fair well at all when it is ten degrees outside. However, as average temperatures have been rising, however slight, at a fairly constant rate, different species have expanded their ranges north and this potential yet exists. I never saw a dead armadillo on the road in Kansas until 1983. Now they are everywhere. Eurasian collared doves are another example. So go find us the temperature tolerances of Burmese pythons and educate me, as I could be wrong.
22 May 2009
at 8:20 a.m.

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TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…

I was watching what's-his-name…Austin Stevens ????? or one of those b*tsh*t crazy wildlife guys chasing after the Bushmaster on TV and he commented that these things can strike as high as the waist……bummer! Of course he's standing there holding this 6-7' long monster of a snake with his bare hands and talking about it and being filmed all at the same time. Talk about multi-tasking! Wow!
22 May 2009
at 8:22 a.m.

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gsxr600 (Anonymous) says…

OMG front page news! Everybody go crazy. A snake…. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
22 May 2009
at 8:50 a.m.

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Ceallach (Anonymous) says…

My mental block toward snakes only allows me to see two types: if it rattles, it's a rattlesnake and you should kill it; if it doesn't rattle, it's a copperhead and you should kill it.

22 May 2009
at 8:51 a.m.

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edjayhawk (Anonymous) says…

Build the SLT on 31st or we will release more of these snakes…
22 May 2009
at 9:01 a.m.

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Burton (Anonymous) says…

Non-native snake, huh? Figures, must be from Topeka.
22 May 2009
at 9:05 a.m.

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TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…

Is there anyway to make this thread political? Maybe this is really Nancy Pelosi hiding out?

Could Pelosi cause this?

http://www.venomoussnakes.net/snake-b…
22 May 2009
at 9:06 a.m.

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northtown (Anonymous) says…

Snake spotted in Wetlands .just south of Haskell,now all people should stay out of giant mudhole!!!!! Must build highway to protect the public!!!!!
Just some more crap for that Marion ???
22 May 2009
at 9:48 a.m.

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loudmouthrealist (Anonymous) says…

I could not resist this one:

monkey fighting snakes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4t6zN…
22 May 2009
at 10:13 a.m.

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bad_dog (Anonymous) says…

New blog:

Obama hates Bushmasters
22 May 2009
at 10:48 a.m.

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snap_pop_no_crackle (Anonymous) says…

Viper flu!
Run away!
22 May 2009
at 10:57 a.m.

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Mixolydian (Anonymous) says…

I'm tired of these mother lovin' snakes on this mother lovin' plane.

No seriously, this is obviously because the Baker wetlands is encroaching on their natural asphalt habitat and driving them into town.

22 May 2009
at 11:05 a.m.

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vega (Anonymous) says…

It seems that someone disposed of a bunch of snakes (two small vipers were caught and this big one is seen). How many I wonder?
If someone gets hurt: http://drdavidson.ucsd.edu/Portals/0/…
22 May 2009
at 11:21 a.m.

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Venom (Anonymous) says…

Best case scenerio - snake envades wetlands and eats all animal life. The wetlands dam is opened to drain wetlands. The dryed up field left behind is burned off to obtain/kill the tresspassing snakes. The wetlands are no longer wet and KDOT finishes K10 bypass
22 May 2009
at 11:25 a.m.

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RoeDapple (Anonymous) says…

After carefully doing the math, correct me if I'm wrong, there have only been three snakes discussed here with two of them captured and the third possibly neutered and de-fanged. And in an environment that it is unlikely to live through the winter of.

The sky is falling………………
22 May 2009
at 11:32 a.m.

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vega (Anonymous) says…

RoeDapple, is your kid attending South Junior? If not - shut up, pls.
22 May 2009
at 11:36 a.m.

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rodentgirl16 (Anonymous) says…

Animals are venomous, plants and fungus are poisonous. Right? Still, one of the most fun articles I've seen in a long time
22 May 2009
at 12:54 p.m.

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scott3460 (Anonymous) says…

“Best case scenerio - snake envades wetlands and eats all animal life. The wetlands dam is opened to drain wetlands. The dryed up field left behind is burned off to obtain/kill the tresspassing snakes….”

The fire spreads rapidly to the west laying waste, first to the commercial wasteland along Iowa and then soon to the west Lawrence suburbs. In the destruction that follows there is much wailing and gnashing of teeth, but little note of the sudden ease of traffic flow along 23rd street. Somewhere the gods snicker.
22 May 2009
at 12:54 p.m.

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mom_of_three (Anonymous) says…

Now, back to the subject - I am glad South Junior High track is over, as the kids used to run a course behind the school on Haskell grounds. Hate to think of a kid stepping on a snake. LHS was using South for track, too, but it's almost over. Just hope the high school was notified about the snake since they practice at South.
22 May 2009
at 1:19 p.m.

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rodentgirl16 (Anonymous) says…

I understand the concern, I really do, but come on, this is one snake. At any given time, a kid would have a much better chance of stepping on a copperhead or a rattlesnake that inhabits the area. The real concerns are one, who was stupid enough to raise these snakes, and two, who was even more stupid by dumping them? Not an individual I want around town.

22 May 2009
at 1:32 p.m.

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lawdog (Anonymous) says…

What about The Baker Wetlands area???????????
22 May 2009
at 1:35 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

“Hate to think of a kid stepping on a snake”

Yes, this is a concern, and would be worrisome, but the heights kids achieve coming off of snakes almost always set new track records and is a great photo opportunity for the yearbook, maybe even the next youtube hit.
22 May 2009
at 2:34 p.m.

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rodentgirl16 (Anonymous) says…

summerguuurl008, I've got some bad news…
22 May 2009
at 4:16 p.m.

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RoeDapple (Anonymous) says…

vega (Anonymous) says…
“RoeDapple, is your kid attending South Junior? If not - shut up, pls.”

No vega, my “children” are adults now, although I am and always will be concerned for their safety and well being. My point being, of all the hazards we all face every day, I think I'll watch for planes falling on me out of the sky as I see that as more likely than myself or anybody else in Douglas county getting bitten by a South American Bushmaster. A more real concern would be dangerous animals that are much more common to the area. Rattlesnakes, copperheads, rabid skunks, opossum, coyote. Bobcat, black widow and brown recluse spiders. Even cougar have been spotted by myself and others. Your child faces more danger in his/her school building, your home and all points in between on a daily basis that are somehow accepted as normal by us all. Obsessing over one snake, no matter how dangerous, which would probably prefer to be as far from human contact as possible is counter-productive. Be aware but not paranoid, or the last thing you suspect will be the first thing to get you.
22 May 2009
at 4:41 p.m.

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autie (Anonymous) says…

point well taken, RoeDapple. I would imagine said alleged snake would be looking for a nice quite place out of the way. Not in the nice mowed grass or lurking on a track…maybe tucked away in some secure place, like under a rock. Until dinner time anyway. Snakes ain't dumb, people are.
22 May 2009
at 8:42 p.m.

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TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…

“Snakes ain't dumb, people are.”

And they're REAL friendly, autie. I've had an up close and personal meeting with seven copperheads since moving in here in May '07. One in my garage, one on the pad outside the garage, one by our front entry, two on our back patio and the other two off our yard a few steps.
22 May 2009
at 9:30 p.m.

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autie (Anonymous) says…

and then when? They just be being snakes, and you just being Tom? It worked out OK, right? Did you manage to live in harmony with nature, or did you kill the snakes? Almost makes you sound like a conservative Republican. Believe it or not, Pelosi and Reid did not sent those snakes to your house. You moved into their house. Bourbon up? I'll take a scotch.
22 May 2009
at 9:42 p.m.

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TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…

I just realized that's supposed to be May '02…….and yeah, we got along just fine.

22 May 2009
at 9:55 p.m.

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RoeDapple (Anonymous) says…

Killed a 10” rattler several years ago my wife spotted in the driveway. She was very relieved until I told her it was very, very young and couldn't have traveled far from where it was born.(Rattlesnakes are live born) And that there are usually 12 to 18 born at a time……….
22 May 2009
at 10:12 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

Tom..Did you really just set yourself up by saying you get along just fine with a bunch of venomous snakes in the presence of these snarkers? Be careful there fella.

(PS..imagine climbing hand over hand up a ravine only to look between your hands to see one crossing 12-14 inches in front of your face. I had climbed right on top of him. I froze..he kept on going. We were hunting them, but at that moment, I wasn't, just leaving the area, so no stick on me. I tracked him, but he got under roots and we couldn't get him. I should have just grabbed him, but I was too young to think of that. I was at a good angle to do it.)
I've been gone for a few hours..looks like maybe I got back just in time. Dang..and I've got other stuff to do.
,;-)
22 May 2009
at 11:29 p.m.

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bearded_gnome (Anonymous) says…

hmmm:
no marioni today! his nigerian psych meds must've run out!
mac:
If one were to see Marion, and this snake sitting on a rock, which one would you hit with a stick first?

I'd comfort the snake for being stuck on a rock with marioni!

***
and Roedapple reveals he is watching out for cougars.

do cougars present a particular threat to you Roe? are they especially attracted to you? maybe you should change your aftershave!

***
seriously,
I'm agreeing with Rodentgirl, I'm much more concerned about the nimrod who loosed the snakes than the snakes themselves. snakes are dangerous, but honest. people, dangerous, honest—not so much.
23 May 2009
at 12:06 a.m.

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bearded_gnome (Anonymous) says…

Baby snakes
Late at night is when they come out
Baby snakes
Sure you know what Im talkin about
Pink n wet
They make the best kinda pet
Baby
Baby
Snakes

Looked around
An theres a couple right near me
Baby snakes
Maybe I think they can probably hear me
Pink n wet
Ill take all I can get
Baby
Baby
Sna-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-kes, yeah

They live in a ho-ho-hole
(tiny hole)
That is usually empty
(usually empty, tiny too)
They live by a code
(dit dit dit dit)
That is usually smpte
Which stands for
Society of motion picture & television engineers
Maybe I think
That is what keeps them in sync
Theyre wet n theyre pink
I think Ill give em a, give em a,
Give em a drink

Baby sna-a-a-a-a-akesss

–good ol' frank zappa! he'd know how to deal with the snake problem.
23 May 2009
at 12:58 a.m.

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vega (Anonymous) says…

“bearded_gnome (Anonymous) says…
and Roedapple reveals he is watching out for cougars. do cougars present a particular threat to you Roe? are they especially attracted to you? maybe you should change your aftershave!”

:))))
23 May 2009
at 2:29 a.m.

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was_freashpowder2 (Alexander Neighbors) says…

I thought they were gona have a picture of a federal prosecutor I know…..
23 May 2009
at 7:09 a.m.

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TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…

Multi, I think you know what I did with the snakes. I just didn't want to come right out and say it. Actually, I did a live catch on one with a rake and put it in one of those big dog biscuit jars and marvelled at it for about half a day then my neighbor tried out his .45 snake shot from about 5 yards. They're thick out here and it's sorta odd that the guy who we bought this house from, a reverend who ran the Tall Oaks, told me “I've never seen a venomous snake, just black snakes”. And he built this house in '04 and was here until '02. I guess I must spend more time outside than he did. (sarcasm)
23 May 2009
at 7:28 a.m.

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RoeDapple (Anonymous) says…

gonna have to work on that math, Tom (or did the good reverend build the house in 1904?)

23 May 2009
at 7:36 a.m.

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RoeDapple (Anonymous) says…

Now that I think of it, I've seen a local 'cougar' wearing leopard skin tights. (extremely dangerous!!)
23 May 2009
at 8:40 a.m.

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bearded_gnome (Anonymous) says…

and was she wearing snakeskin shoes???

looks like we need to give you an ugly-stick to fight off the cougars?

***
vegas, glad you liked that.
23 May 2009
at 8:57 a.m.

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RoeDapple (Anonymous) says…

snakeskin shoes and 'blue hair' in a bee hive. Silicone and a 'fake bake”, rose tattoo peeking up over back of tights.
23 May 2009
at 9:08 a.m.

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RoeDapple (Anonymous) says…

http://www.kreationsart.com/images/si…

http://imagecache5.art.com/p/LRG/6/68…
23 May 2009
at 10:41 a.m.

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Boston_Corbett (Anonymous) says…

What will we do.

The One With All Knowledge And Direction has gone has gone missing.

Oh, Marion?….. A little too much gluten-free grey goose last night? Or is your Google button broken?
23 May 2009
at 11:29 a.m.

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BigPrune (Anonymous) says…

Were these snakes kept for some religious purpose or ceremony? I notice the crude painted signs along 31st Street in the swamp look like they are there for some religious reasons. They never used to be there until the SLT controversy. Just wonderin'…..
23 May 2009
at 12:42 p.m.

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Katara (Anonymous) says…

BigPrune (Anonymous) says…

Were these snakes kept for some religious purpose or ceremony? I notice the crude painted signs along 31st Street in the swamp look like they are there for some religious reasons. They never used to be there until the SLT controversy. Just wonderin'…..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serpent handling is not normally part of Native American religions. Serpent handlers generally are Christians. So I'd say probably has nothing to do with the SLT but more with an irresponsible pet owner.
23 May 2009
at 3:09 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

Both Lawrence and the State of Kansas have an interesting history of snake “invasions”:

“5-foot-long snake slithers into barbecue grill”

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/1998/aug…

“Rattlesnakes put in park on purpose, experts fear
Non-native species rears its head at Kanopolis”

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2004/jun…

“Boa constrictor nabbed from nature center”

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/jul…

The “Great Lawrence Snake Conspiracy” has been going on for some time:

“Old Home Town - 100 years ago:

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/aug…

“From the Lawrence Daily World for Aug. 17, 1907: “A local man killed a bull snake in his yard yesterday and it measured 57 inches. ”

Evidence of snake violence in Baldwin:

“Archive for Sunday, July 1, 2007
Nature’s violence revealed in chicken coop”

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/jul…

And in Mississippi, snakes fly:

“Gray rat snake turns up in cockpit”

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/aug…

There is more evidence of this conspiracy…much more…frighteningly much more…………..

23 May 2009
at 3:21 p.m.

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bearded_gnome (Anonymous) says…

oh wow, look! Marion wrote snake in the ljworld searchbox!

he must've found his migerian psych meds again.

***
Roe,
blue hair and the “fake bake” … now you're really gettin' scarey!

*Run Away!*
23 May 2009
at 3:52 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

bearded_gnome (Anonymous) says…

oh wow, look! Marion wrote snake in the ljworld searchbox!”

Marion writes:

Yes indeed, BG; I have done that very thing with truly frightening results!

Snakes of all shapes, species and sizes seem to be lurking in around Lawrence and I wonder…

..if there really is anything going on here, will anyone come to help you..

in the dark…

…at night……….
23 May 2009
at 5:11 p.m.

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Boston_Corbett (Anonymous) says…

BG,

And it's fun to type some other things in the LJW search box…

“Marion and spam”
“Marion and Nick Danger”
“Marion and David Irving”
“Marion and Holocaust”

It's more fun than a barrel of monkeys.
23 May 2009
at 7:03 p.m.

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TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…

Well, copperhead #1. My boys and their friend just yelled down the stairs “Dad, come here!” They ran over a 2-1/2' copperhead on the road at the creek on the edge of our property. And coming in from the lake today, my wife and I saw a snake from too far away slither off into the weeds in the same spot, but it looked like a copperhead from the body shape and the way it moved—fast.
23 May 2009
at 8:09 p.m.

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tricky_ricky (Anonymous) says…

First: Snakes are venomous not poisonous. Venom is injected, e.g. via fangs, and poison is ingested.
Second: I think the claim that a Bushmaster was released is total BS. I look at snakes for purchase online everyday and know many breeders nationwide. I have never seen a Bushmaster for sale. It is possible but very unlikely. It is more likely that a Biologist had a specimen escape or that it was a similar representative from the Lachesis family.
Here is a link to the venomous reptiles ads from the largest reptile classified ads online,
http://market.kingsnake.com/index.php… .
Anyone see a Bushmaster? No! You could buy a King Cobra though for about $500!
I think it is irresponsible to keep hots unless they are for research or milking. “De-fanging” is a reprehensible and unreliable process. Animals that have had their fangs and Duvernoy's (venom) glands removed are known as “venomoids”. It would be the equivalent of buying a dog that has had all it's teeth removed. Just cruel!
23 May 2009
at 8:34 p.m.

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bearded_gnome (Anonymous) says…

Boston,
yes indeed.

too bad the average reader can't read when Marion went really crazy a couple weeks ago: first I was lying; then I was a secret LJWorld plant and you can't trust the LJWorld if Bearded_gnome is a plant; then, I was an LJWorld insider; and finally I was a supersecret hacker able to see everything—bwhahahahahaha; all according to Marion.

and Marioni, I just turn up Frank Zappa's song and that takes care of the snakes, even the ones that travel the ancient trade routes from Dickinson county.
23 May 2009
at 9:33 p.m.

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RoeDapple (Anonymous) says…

“average reader”

Ah, but 007gnome is not your “average reader”!

—bwhahahahahaha!

;-)
24 May 2009
at 7:50 a.m.

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TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…

Like totally no way, summerguuuurl?! Did you like, use snake shot or, you know, like a bullet?

24 May 2009
at 8:08 a.m.

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brujablanco (Anonymous) says…

A cottonmouth, summerguuurl? In Northeast Kansas? I doubt it. Why would you shoot it or any snake? They are very important to ecological balance. Please don't do that.
24 May 2009
at 11:44 a.m.

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Jaylee (Anonymous) says…

ok this story is ridiculous… first off, there is no bushmaster on the loose!!

if that photo is a bushmaster, it looks exactly like the rattlesnakes we get around here and this “biologist” did not collect a single bit of tangible information from this snake. He saw it, freaked out, and left to return and find it gone.

so as far as I am concerned, my speculation that he is wrong is just as valid as his speculation that it is a Bushmaster.

and why were the other two “venomous snakes” not identified? were they locals who wandered onto campus or were they bushmasters as well?

give me a break.

i have a black mamba in my backyard. i can't find it though. can you guys help? oooh no, i don't have a photo or body or ummm anything…. man, you guys wanna come up anyway?

i have no doubts that some fool COULD have purchased a crazy snake and released it, but for the love of god, any actual info would be great!!!
24 May 2009
at 11:52 a.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

summer..if you did..you should recover that specimen and report it immediately. To my knowledge, and I'm years out of the field, they haven't made it this far north but I've always felt it was just a matter of time or observation, having found many species not having been previously recorded in KS counties before.

http://www.jstor.org/pss/3627511
24 May 2009
at 12:03 p.m.

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Irish (Irish Swearingen) says…

This is for Roe so I hope he checks in here. If not someone give him a holler for me.
Found it while searching for Bushmaster.
Customized Bushmaster AR15 weapon system.
Caliber .223
Action single action simiauto
Length: barrels 16.5 to 20 inch
Capacity 20
The image is at: www.restlessadventurer.net/guns/armor…

They take Visa, thought I could get a Bushmaster to use on a Bushmaster.
Well, it's funny to me!
24 May 2009
at 12:21 p.m.

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Jaylee (Anonymous) says…

and I am disappointed nobody has yet thought to call Barry White to sing all the snakes to the edge of town!
24 May 2009
at 12:25 p.m.

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Jaylee (Anonymous) says…

How can I post photos? Do I have to make a blog?
24 May 2009
at 12:26 p.m.

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jumpin_catfish (Anonymous) says…

This is worst than stupid, its a hate crime if done to terrorize or harm the students at Haskell not to mention the kids at South and Broken Arrow. This is unacceptable in our community. the coward(s) that released these snakes, if this story is true, need to be caught and persecuted. My wife and I walked hundreds of miles on the path between South and HINU, I don't think she would walk there now.
24 May 2009
at 12:34 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

jaylee, I've got some bad news…

24 May 2009
at 12:43 p.m.

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RoeDapple (Anonymous) says…

Irish,
Way ahead of you, this is identical to mine.
(left handed version)

http://catalog.stagarms.com/cart/imag…

Always room for one more……..
24 May 2009
at 2:34 p.m.

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gl0ck0wn3r (Anonymous) says…

I am sick of these motherfarkin snakes on this motherfarkin campus!

(Seriously, 140 comments and no one did a Snakes on a Plane reference?)
24 May 2009
at 2:47 p.m.

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Irish (Irish Swearingen) says…

Roe, the ultimate plug and play!
On the are you afraid of snakes poll, someone replied, only on a plane.
I saw that movie when it came out and I still don't know what to think of it. I saw it at a matinee and I swear to God I was the only one in the theatre! That should have been a hint.
24 May 2009
at 3 p.m.

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Jaylee (Anonymous) says…

Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

“jaylee, I've got some bad news…”

it was an old Simpsons episode.
24 May 2009
at 5:14 p.m.

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manus_flexibilis (Anonymous) says…

Isn't that what their calling the lady thats running the show over there “bushmaster”? Maybe, the haircut was to resemble GW!
24 May 2009
at 8:02 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

summergurl, good to know, thanks. You probably made some vulture's day, fish and chicken in one free meal.

jaylee..see summerguurl and rodentgirl about steve irwin above.
:) (rodentgirl taught me everything I know)
25 May 2009
at 8:07 a.m.

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JJE007 (Anonymous) says…

Just an FYI…
Someone correct me if they have better/newer information, but I'm pretty danged sure that it's illegal to kill a timber rattlesnake in Kansas.
I wrote KDWP (online) a few years ago.
I was thinking about “tastes like chicken” … and a hat band after avoiding a couple of those beauties with my car as they crossed the road.
25 May 2009
at 9:30 a.m.

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Boston_Corbett (Anonymous) says…

“I'm pretty danged sure that it's illegal to kill a timber rattlesnake in Kansas.”

When he's wearing blu-blockers, he's in season. (he's probably carrying too)

25 May 2009
at 9:45 a.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

JJE..
I tried to look that up..first I found this about any snake in Missouri.
(A state where I would imagine more snakes have had to be killed in those overgrown hills…)
http://www.kmbc.com/news/19471672/det…
25 May 2009
at 9:59 a.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

Interesting part of a long read, that really (that I found) doesn't come right out and state a law. This paper is about round ups, not about the killing of say, a single snake, although the paragraph below is about a singular non-roundup incident.

“Prejudice against snakes in general and rattlesnakes in particular on the part of law enforcement officers is also a problem. In 1992, a timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) was killed by a state park visitor in northeast Kansas (D. Reber pers. obs.). Two Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks law enforcement officers openly refused to pursue the issue in spite of the fact that there was no question as to who had killed the animal. These officers acknowledged that the timber rattlesnake was listed as a species in need of conservation in Kansas and was therefore protected by state law (KAR 115-15-2), and that hunting was explicitly prohibited in the state park. Furthermore, these officers stated that they too killed any snake on sight in the park because “the people don't want them around, and we're gonna get them outta there.” One officer even went so far as to brag about a shovel he carried in his truck specifically for that purpose. Ironically, this particular officer was assigned to monitor the roundup in Sharon Springs only two months later. Prejudice against snakes runs deep, even among those we would expect to be more enlightened. For this reason, we may rightly derive little comfort from local “monitoring” of roundup events. ”

Here is the link:
http://www.cnah.org/khs/pospaper.html
26 May 2009
at 12:35 a.m.

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Defender (Anonymous) says…

“I vote we take a large number of bulldozers to clean out all the vegetation in the area to look for the snake. Then we will have a good start on the SLT.”

Although I think this is a bit of a silly idea, and I do support the SLT, I have to say this was danged funny, otto! If you intended sarcasm (even a slight amount) you hit it on the head!