Archive for Friday, May 22, 2009
More snake searching yields no results
The search is on for a poisonous snake believed to have been dumped at Haskell Indian Nations University.
May 22, 2009, 2:55 p.m. Updated May 22, 2009, 4:11 p.m.
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On the street
Are you afraid of snakes?
I’m very afraid of snakes because I never know if they’re poisonous or not.
Lawrence police are seeking information from citizens regarding the release of non-native, venomous snakes at Haskell Indian Nations University.
Haskell Biologist Chuck Haines, on Thursday, said he spotted a “questionable” non-native viper, possibly a South American bushmaster, while responding to an anonymous tip that venomous snakes had been released on campus.
While he didn’t mess with the suspected 6-foot-long viper, Haines said he did capture two small venomous snakes, but later released them elsewhere.
University officials posted signs near the wooded areas west of campus, warning people about poisonous snakes.
“Please use extreme caution when walking in areas leading to the wetlands, powwow grounds, creek bed areas and tall grassy areas surrounding our campus,” a news release from the university said Thursday.
More specifics regarding the location of where the snakes were found, dumped, seen or came from was not made available by the university on Friday. Haines did not return multiple phone calls for additional comment.
Kansas University students were called in to help with the snake search on Thursday night, said Deb Thompson, Haskell safety officer.
“They didn’t see anything,” she said.
Locating snakes can be difficult, said David McLeod, a Kansas University biology doctoral student involved with the situation.
“To find a single snake in a large area is next to impossible, even if you’re really actively looking for it,” he said. “The chance of seeing a single (snake) more than one time is pretty rare.”
McLeod said students would continue to look for the snake periodically, but that it’s unlikely a non-native snake would survive for more than a few months.
Haines said it’s not unusual for snakes to be dropped off in the wooded areas surrounding Haskell, especially in May.
“People will collect snakes in town in the springtime and drop them out here,” Haines said. “Sometimes people will have collections in their own house and they’ll be moving away and sometimes they just come out here and dump them.”
McLeod said it’s a bad idea to dump non-native snakes, adding that it can “wreak havoc on the natural system.”
Venomous snakes are illegal as pets in the city of Lawrence, according to city code. Non-venomous snakes can be kept as pets, as long as they’re less than eight feet long and kept on the owner’s property.
But McLeod said it’s not uncommon for people to keep them illegally.
“There is definitely a market for venomous snakes in captivity,” he said. “It would not surprise me that numerous people keep venomous snakes in Lawrence.”
Copperheads and small rattlesnakes, both of which are poisonous, are common in local natural areas, McLeod said. Anyone who comes across a snake — no matter the kind — should use caution and leave it alone, he said.
“Anytime you’re out in a natural setting, you’re going to have naturally occurring amphibians and reptiles,” McLeod said. “So just be cautious, have your eyes open and don’t panic.”
Anyone with information about illegal snakes being released at Haskell can contact Crimestoppers anonymously at 843-8477 (TIPS).
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22 May 2009
at 3:28 p.m.
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LarryLawrence (Anonymous) says…
Searing (or pan searing) is a technique used in grilling, roasting, braising, sautéing, etc. that cooks the surface of the food (usually meat, poultry or fish) at high temperature so that a caramelized crust forms. A similar technique, browning, is typically used to sear or brown all sides of a particular piece of meat, fish, poultry, etc. before finishing it in the oven. To obtain the desired brown crust, the meat surface must exceed 150 °C (300 °F), so searing requires the meat surface be free of water, which boils at around 100 °C (212 °F).[1]
22 May 2009
at 3:31 p.m.
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Boston_Corbett (Anonymous) says…
good one Larry.
22 May 2009
at 3:35 p.m.
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helter_skelter (Anonymous) says…
Evidence that sometimes spell-checkers aren't enough of a filter. Still not a complete substitute for proof-reading.
22 May 2009
at 3:51 p.m.
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TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…
Oh come on now, maybe the writer and/or editor have a bad case of ophidiophobia. I personally think fear of snakes is called–-sanity.
Isn't there some sort of ritual Indian dance that can be performed to scare off these serpents? Remember, a bushmaster can strike as high up as the groin/waist area. I'd strap a garbage can lid in front if I were any of the “searers”.
22 May 2009
at 4:08 p.m.
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frittata65 (Anonymous) says…
I'm so confused. What word were they trying to use?
22 May 2009
at 5:29 p.m.
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jumpin_catfish (Anonymous) says…
Apparently not Nancy boy or Washington DC would be empty.
22 May 2009
at 5:39 p.m.
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Jaylee (Anonymous) says…
We just need Barry White to sing on the edge of town. All the snakes converge there. It worked once before, I saw it.
22 May 2009
at 6:01 p.m.
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Katara (Anonymous) says…
Obviously its time to send in the gorillas…and then winter will take care of the rest.
22 May 2009
at 6:19 p.m.
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Boston_Corbett (Anonymous) says…
Today I saw a South Wyandotte Elstupido Poster Viper wearing blu-blockers leaving town on a trade route.
22 May 2009
at 6:42 p.m.
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merrill (Anonymous) says…
Down near a lake in eastern oklahoma, where we once resided, after heavy flooding rains copperheads would be all over the roads. Once discovered one curled up in our trash can… threw the can on'its' side and said adios.
Also during specific times each year tarantula's would come and cover the roads looking for company I suppose. At first it was a bit scary but never had problems.
22 May 2009
at 6:47 p.m.
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somebodynew (Anonymous) says…
jumpin_catfish (Anonymous) says…
Apparently not Nancy boy or Washington DC would be empty.
Ding, ding, ding - I think we have a winner !!! LMAO
22 May 2009
at 7:01 p.m.
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Katara (Anonymous) says…
Boston_Corbett (Anonymous) says…
Today I saw a South Wyandotte Elstupido Poster Viper wearing blu-blockers leaving town on a trade route.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh I've heard of those. The actual viper believes itself to be venomous and dangerous but in reality its bite is harmless.
22 May 2009
at 8:05 p.m.
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storm (Anonymous) says…
I just saw one. It was driving a vw bug down Iowa, going south. In a convertible, stupid snake!! It stuck its forked tongue out and hissed at me. I think it wants to get home before snow flies.
22 May 2009
at 9:19 p.m.
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cavtrooper (Anonymous) says…
All funny comments aside, Bushmasters are no laughing matter.
I've delt with them in Panama and they will ruin your day. I've seen what happens when one gets a good hit on an adult. A week in the hospital and that was with anti-venom.
Wonder if LMH has any in stock
Bright side.
It's toast come the first heavy freeze.
23 May 2009
at 12:31 a.m.
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bearded_gnome (Anonymous) says…
“questionable nonnative viper,” okay, so, there *are* vipers who aren't questionable?
was this then an illegal alien viper? just asking.
***
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
Send Ringtone to Cell Phone
23 May 2009
at 8:15 a.m.
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beeline (Anonymous) says…
If I was that snake living in the congested woods with all of those people stomping around, I would move to a quieter place like someone's backyard.
23 May 2009
at 9:17 a.m.
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FarneyMac (Anonymous) says…
Thank jeebus the LJW has stayed on top of this snake news.
23 May 2009
at 9:47 a.m.
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lawdog (Anonymous) says…
Hey, everybody lets get some pots, pans, spatulas, oven mits, tall boots,skeeter repellant, then form a huge circle close in on the slither and drive the critter out LOLZ!
23 May 2009
at 1:16 p.m.
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sks6cf (Anonymous) says…
Great. I get out of cross country and now they put snakes down there. We've been trying to have a good excuse not to run down there for years.
23 May 2009
at 8:19 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!
24 May 2009
at 1:16 a.m.
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hawkmedic (Anonymous) says…
Contrary to what tricky ricky says about not finding bushmasters for sale online, I have seen them for sale. While not what you would expect to find at the local pet store, venomous reptiles can be purchased even at reptile shows across the country, though mostly done by experienced keepers & such. Kingsnake.com curtails to the casual keeper, with its selection of nonvenomous reptiles. If in fact it was a bushmaster, then there were 2 individuals in the wrong in this situation. The first is the buyer of the animal. 99% of the websites that sell venomous reptiles have disclaimers that state that the buyer is soley responsible for the legalities in which they reside. The seller of the animal is in the wrong as well. Most websites & such reserve the right to refuse a transaction at any point in the process. This incident gives the reptile keepers that are responsible for their animals & are highly knowledgeable a bad name, which is entirely undeserved.
Also, LMH would not have the antivenom in stock. Crofab (brand name for the antivenom used for rattlesnake, copperhead, & etc.) would not work in a person with a bite from a Lachesis muta (bushmaster).
24 May 2009
at 1:37 a.m.
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Bladerunner (Anonymous) says…
Someone should build a trafficway and kill the damned things!
24 May 2009
at 5:16 p.m.
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manus_flexibilis (Anonymous) says…
Snake and Bake!