I have started going to the library with the children here in NJ. The odd thing is, the adult reptile section is terrible, especially if you compare it to NYC. Yet, the children's section is rich with all types of wonderful snake books. Amanda recently took out a book on venomous snakes that she really enjoyed.
Now, yesterday I found this book in the adult section:
277 SECRETS YOUR SNAKE AND LIZARD WANTS YOU TO KNOW
So I took it out.
LOL
The dedication says:
THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO ALL THE SNAKE OWNERS ON THE INTERNET SLITHER MAILING LIST, WITH THANKS FOR THEIR SECRETS, SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS, INPUT, ASSISTANCE, AND CONTRIBUTIONS.
While I don't recognize the list I thought the fact that it mentioned internet herpers was amusing. I'm reading it now.
I'll post some excerpts as I read through the book.
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Chapter One, page 1
NOBODY EVER TELLS YOU THESE THINGS, OR THE LOWDOWN ON SNAKES
(how people are tricked into buying Nasty snakes, and other dirty tricks of sellers)
If you warm up to a cold snake you might find yourself in hot water. Some breeders take what they call a "snake from #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^&", stop feeding it, and turn all the heating off until the snake is as listless as a piece of rope.
Then, when a likely looking customer (mark) comes around, the heartless seller tells him or her what a docile snake it is. The seller may even handle the snake to prove it, without handing it over to the potential buyer--who might become suspicious about handling a snake colder then a chille cocktail.
The niave buyer takes the snake home, puts the tank at it's proper temps, and the snake soon returns to it's old devilish ways---and it's ravenous.
(it continue with examples)
OTHER SCAMS
Captive born (but really wild caught)
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
Look at the top of the snakes head. If the scales are discolored and dull, the snake may have suffered sun damage. Captive bred snakes would probably not have been in the sun long enough to suffer any discernible effects form it.
SHOULD YOU GET A VENOMOUS SNAKE?
Anyone who wants a venomous snake should listen to the advice of an expert i this area, like Erik Stenstrom of Sweden, who keeps and breeds cobras. If you are thinking of getting a venomous snake, he suggest, you should start off by acquiring alot of experience with nonvenomous snakes first, because keeping hot snakes is not for beginners.
Also, get a mentor with years of experince to teach you, for example, how to handle certain tools--and yourself. If your a bit off one day it might not be a good idea to handle your hot snake.
What snakes are best to learn from? He suggests you choose problems ones: bad snakes; antisocial miscreants; snakes that refuse to eat; that shed poorly; or have mites or throat rot. Why? Because it's best to make a mistake with a snake that cn only give you a abd bite instaed of a rush to the ER, possibly followed by the morgue.
(goes on to explain more preps for getting a hot)
Lenny Flank, who has been keeping reptiles for over 20 years, says in "snakes" his book....that if you want a venomous snake, you should pick up a really really nasty (nonhot)critter and keep it for about a year. Every time the little sucker gets a tooth into you, write yourself a note saying: "I could be dead right now, and if I survive, I'll owe the hospital $35,000 or so"
Tape it to your snake cage.
After a year, decide if you really want to keep a dangerously venomous snake.
CAN YOU CATCH MITES FROM YOUR SNAKE?
Yes.
In a papre presented more then 20 years ago, and reported in MEDICAL HERPETOLOGY, Dr. H. Bernard Bechtel related the case of a mother and 3 children who were all itchy and infested with some type of snake mite.
It turned out they owner a python who liked to site on the upholstered chair--which was found to be infested with this mite.
Treating the chir solved the problem.
More in Ch 1 AND 2:
WHY TO AVOID SPAGNUM MOSS
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOUR SNAKE IS EXPECTING
GETTING YOUR SNAKE ON A BIRTHDAY MAILING LIST
SNAKE CHASTITY BELTS
MALE SNAKES GIVING BIRTH
HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BOAS AND GIRLS
HOW TO KEEP YOUR SNAKE OUT OF YOUR HAIR
DO SNAKES LIKE MUSIC?
WHAT'S WRONG WITHT HE MOVIE ANACONDA?
HOW SNAKES MAKE LOVE
CAN SNAKES WATCH TV?
TRICKS FOR OPENING YOU SNAKES MOUTH
If anyone would like to hear anything from the list above say so now or forever hold your peace
