Reptile Salvation

Bev Storer asked:


The tainted food recall grew again on Saturday, March 31, as Nestle Purina Pet Care Co. added Alpo Prime Cuts in Gravy wet dog food to the list of growing pet foods being recalled. Purina said a limited amount of food contained wheat gluten from China.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition, late Friday, March 30, recalled its Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry cat food that contained the same allegedly contaminated wheat gluten. Hill’s is the only company so far that has recalled a dry pet food.

It appears that even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other experts don’t understand the real cause or full extend of the problem as concerned pet owners seek answers from both their vets and pet food suppliers.

The same US supplier of wheat gluten, a protein source, also sold to a Canadian company. So far Menu Foods recalled 60 million containers of wet dog and cat food it produces for sale under nearly 100 brand labels.

To date, the Chinese company that supplied the allegedly contaminated wheat gluten remains a mystery as Menu Foods refuses to name the company.

Last week, the New York State Food Laboratory identified aminopterin, a cancer drug also used as a rat poison, as the likely culprit. The FDA said that it could not confirm that finding.

Federal testing of some of the recalled pet foods, and the wheat gluten used in their production, resulted in the finding of the chemical melamine. Melamine is used to make kitchen ware and other plastics.

According to Fox News, Menu Foods, said the only certainty was that imported wheat gluten was the likely source of the pet deaths, even if the actual contaminant remained in doubt.

What’s the bottom line to pet owners who are unsure of what to feed their pet? The best thing to do, at the current time, is to check the ingredients and if your pet food contains wheat, think seriously before you serve it to your beloved pet.

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Brandon R. Cornett asked:


Reptiles are one of the most diverse groups in the animal kingdom. Their behaviors and physical attributes cover a broad spectrum, which is one of the reasons we humans find them so fascinating.

This article illustrates the amazing diversity found within the animal kingdom. Below, I have compiled what I feel are some of the most interesting facts about reptiles and their behavior.

Interesting Reptile Facts

Contrary to popular belief, chameleons do not change their color to blend in with different backgrounds. Chameleons are naturally camouflaged with their surroundings (most are predominantly green to match their treetop environment). The fact is that chameleons change their color in limited ways, usually by brightening or darkening their skin. But these color changes are related to temperature regulation and emotional changes. A frightened or angry chameleon, for example, will become extremely bright in color. The skulls of snakes are made up of many small bones that are interconnected in a flexible fashion. This is entirely different from a human skull, which is one solid piece. This allows snakes to expand their jaws and heads in order to eat prey items larger than their heads. A common garter snake, for example, could swallow a frog more than twice the size of its head. Large constrictors such as the anaconda can expand their jaws to an almost alarming degree! Many people think that reptiles are slimy. But the fact is that reptiles do not have sweat glands like you and I have, so their skin is usually cool and dry. I have several pet snakes for example, and people who touch them for the first time always say the same thing: “Oh wow, they’re not slimy at all.” The scales of all snakes (and many lizard species) are made of keratin, which is the same substance that makes up the hair and fingernails of humans. Snakes shed their skin in relation to their growth rate. A young snake will shed more often because they typically grow fastest during the first two years of their lives. An older snake will shed less often as its rate of growth slows down. The world’s longest snake species is the reticulated python, which can exceed 30 feet (10 meters) in length. While reticulated pythons typically grow longer, the anaconda could be considered the largest snake by overall size and weight. The anaconda is a heavy-bodied snake and can weigh well over 300 pounds. While the reticulated python and anaconda are the largest snakes in general, the king cobra is by far largest of the venomous snakes. It can grow to lengths of more than 18 feet (6 meters) can weigh in excess of 20 pounds. Some species of gecko use their tails as a defensive tool. When attacked, the gecko will wiggle its tail to lure the attacking creature. When the animal bites onto the tail, the gecko can detach the tail and make its escape. In most cases, a new tail will grow in place of the old one. Most snake species lay eggs. But about one-fifth of all snakes bear live young instead. Rattlesnakes and boa constrictors are examples of snakes that bear live young. Many states such as Georgia and Texas still engage in “rattlesnake roundups,” in which rattlesnakes are gathered from the wild and slaughtered by the hundreds. These activities are mostly practiced by ignorant rednecks who think that rattlesnakes are somehow evil or malicious. Eventually (one can hope), such practices will be outlawed … ideally before yet another species of animal goes extinct on this planet. Reptiles are the oldest type of animal on the planet. Turtles, for example, have been on the planet for more than 200 million years, in basically the same form as we see them today. For this reason and many more, reptiles deserve respect from us humans. They do not deserve fear or persecution!

If you found this article helpful and/or interesting, be sure to check out the informational resources listed below.

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BBCWorldwide asked:

After waiting underground for months for rain to fall and hit the parched earth, the aptly titled Rain Frog erupts from the ground and springs into hungry life. Learn more about the truly astonishing world of the Rain Frog in this brilliant wildlife video from Sir David Attenborough’s natural history masterpiece, Life in Cold Blood.

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First, don’t kill nonvenomous snakes. Any given area can only support a fixed number of snakes. If you kill the nonvenomous snakes that leaves a food supply that could support a population of venomous snakes.

Remember to stay a safe distance from the snake. Snakes usually strike about 1/2 their body length, but they can strike farther. You also don’t want to trip and fall on the snake.

80% of bites occur when someone tries to catch or kill a snake. The safest thing you can do if you see a snake is to leave it alone. (It’s probably protected by law anyway.)

85% of bites in the United States occur on the hand and forearm. 50% involve a victim under the age of 20. 70% of bites in the United States involve alcohol consumption.

If you have a snake in your yard, either call someone trained in their removal or stand at a safe distance and spray it with a garden hose. Snakes hate that and will leave quickly.

Step on logs rather than over them. Snakes coil beside logs in the “Reinert Posture” and might mistake your leg for a predator or prey.

Watch where you put your hands and feet. Do not reach under boards with your fingers.

Snakes can be handled safely with proper tools and training, but do NOT risk trying to handle venomous snakes if you have not been professionally trained. There are things that no website can teach you about how to handle venomous snakes safely.

You can minimize the appeal of your yard to a snake by 1. cutting the grass, 2. picking up debris, and 3. Controlling rodents. If there is no food or shelter the snake will soon leave for better hunting grounds.

The safest thing to do if you see a snake is to LEAVE IT ALONE. Most bites occur when someone is attempting to capture or kill a snake.

If you are bitten by a snake, seek immediate medical care from a licensed and experienced physician. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the first aid for snakebite consists of:

“Do remain calm – Remember that there is an excellent chance for survival, and in most cases there is plenty of time.

Do suck and squeeze – as much venom as possible directly from the wound. Venom is protein and can be taken orally with no ill effects.

Do remove jewelry – Swelling can progress rapidly, so rings, watches and bracelets can be a real problem.

Do mark the time – The progress of symptoms (swelling) is the most obvious indicator of the amount of envenomation.

Do keep the stricken limb below the heart.

Do get to a hospital as quickly as possible – Anti-venom serum is the only sure cure for envenomation, and because some people are allergic to horse serum it should only be given in a fully equipped medical facility.

In case of a Coral bite, do pull the snake off immediately – Corals’ fangs are relatively small, and they have to work at getting venom into the wound. Therefore, the faster the snake is removed the less venom is injected.

Do attempt to identify the offending snake – Positive identification in the form of a dead snake is helpful, if convenient, but no time or safety should be wasted since the symptoms will give medical personnel an accurate diagnosis.

Do get a tetanus shot.

Don’t cut the wound – This almost always causes more damage than it’s worth.

Don’t use a tourniquet – This isolates the venom in a small area and causes the digestive enzymes in the venom to concentrate the damage.

Don’t use alcohol orally – it speeds the heart and blood flow and reduces the body’s counter-acting ability.

Don’t use ice – Freezing the stricken limb has been found to be a major factor leading to amputation.”

Remember, snakes have their place in the ecosystem and were around long before we arrived. We are the visitors in their garden. Snakes are quite capable of defending themselves, but are reluctant to do so. If you follow a few common sense rules you can minimize an already very small risk of snakebite during your outdoor adventure.

By: Chad Minter

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In the United States, each year an average of 8,000 people receive snake bites from venomous snakes. Some of these people are bitten from the result of not being able to identify the snake, while some others are bitten for the result of identifying the snake incorrectly and getting close to it thinking that it is safe to do so. Even the ‘harmless’, non-venomous snakes can cause a severe infection or an allergic reaction in many people.

If ever bitten by a venomous snake, most doctors give you antivenin, an antidote to cure snake bites, to treat a serious snake bite. Each antivenin is created in a horse’s blood serum when the horse is injected with snake venom. So they won’t just give you any snake venom, for if it is not from the right kind of snake it can be like giving you poison. They will give you the venom for the kind of snake that bit you. So what if you don’t know what kind of snake bit you? Well they normally have ways of finding that out, by the description of the snake or from the symptoms you have of the venom, but not all the time. For this reason it would be very useful to know your snakes.

For those who live on or near woody lands, swamps, or any source of water, it would be very good to know your snakes backwards and forward. Even the people who hunt, fish, hike, camp, and do other outdoor things. Knowing your snakes is really important. If you are any of these people above then take the time to learn all the snakes in your area or at least learn the basic features to tell the venomous and the non-venomous apart. For the one’s that don’t won’t to take the time at all, when you see a snake, do like some people would do and just run as fast as you can. This may save you from being bitten.

All you you really have to know about snakes to identify them is listed below:

1. body length – this is can be very useful if the snake is fully grown

2. body shape- this is a very effective way of identifying most snakes especially water snakes and water moccasins

3. head & neck shape – this is can be used to identify any snake and some times tell the venomous apart from the non-venomous

4. color & pattern – very effective to identify a snake with, it can be hard if the snake is shedding its skin or if the snake is a small snake

5. scale texture – if you can see the scales this can be useful, but you may have to get closer to the see to see it. I don’t recommend this way

6. eye pupil shape- this is probably the best way to tell the venomous and non-venomous snakes apart. If you can’t do this without getting close then forget this method

Now to summarize all I have written in a few words, KNOW YOUR SNAKES.

By: Joshua Biggar

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Phoenix Hayes Simmons asked:


The leopard gecko isn’t just any lizard. These are incredible animals which are good pets and have some unique qualities which make them different than other reptiles. To learn a little more about what makes these geckos so special, have a look at these fun leopard gecko facts.

A leopard gecko can grow to be as long as 25.4 cm.

Unlike other kinds of gecko, leopard geckos have eyelids. They close their eyes while sleeping and can even blink!

Leopard geckos are named for their coloring. They usually have yellow or orange skin with black spots, giving them a leopard-like appearance.

Leopard geckos have a gentle nature which makes them much better pets than most reptiles. They very rarely bite, even if they are provoked and are safe to handle and play with.

A leopard gecko is a very long lived animal – they can live as long as 30 years (though closer to 20 is more common).

Leopard geckos have claws instead of toe pads, so they can’t climb vertical surfaces like many other types of gecko can.

A leopard gecko will shake its tail while hunting or defending its territory from other animals.

The tail of the leopard gecko is used to store fat and can be detached if they need to escape from a predator. Their lost tail will be replaced by a new one.

Geckos bark when they are excited.

In the wild, a leopard gecko’s diet consists of spiders, scorpions and other insects and even smaller lizards!

Leopard geckos are immune to the poison in a scorpion’s stinger, making them able to hunt these dangerous insects.

Just like most other kinds of gecko, leopard geckos are nocturnal and will sleep through the day if they can. They are active at night, usually getting up around dusk.

If you have a pet gecko, you should feed it only insects. Make sure that the pet shops in your area carry the insects that your pet needs to stay healthy; if you can’t find the food that your gecko needs, it’s probably not a good idea to keep one as a pet.

Geckos love to eat wax worms. These worms have a fat content which is much too high to make them a regular part of their diet, but it’s OK to give your pet a weekly treat; and this is their favorite.

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ohsodreary asked:

The Frogs playing their #1 smash hit song “I Only Play 4 Money” featuring Billy Corgan on vocals and some mad shreddin’ skillz.

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billhorneck asked:

Gel Diets for Carnivorous Reptiles were demonstrated by Karen Wright from Mazuri Exotic Animal Diets. A great option when feeding carnivorous reptiles requiring special attention, these complete diets can be formed into shapes and thicknesses and varied for optimum animal health and tastes. … mazuri exotic reptiles carnivorous reptilestv snakes crocodillion monitor frogs gel

Kansieo.com

There are a lot of questions about snake proof boots, also often referred to more simply as snake boots. Snake boots are quality boots that are designed with the specific purpose of protecting not only your feet, but also your lower legs from snake bites.

While many types of boots are decent protection against a quick snake bite, snake proof boots are specifically designed to assure that no snake bite will ever pierce through.

In the U.S. this means that snake boots will protect against copperheads, coral snakes, cottonmouths, and rattlesnakes. While bites from these snakes can be deadly, in the actual U.S. the actual number of actual deaths because of venom is less than ten a year on average.

In other parts of the world the number is far higher, but even in the U.S. having the boots stop one angry snake will save enough in medical bills to pay for themselves many times over.

While some say that normal cowboy boots are more than enough protection against an ornery rattler, I’m of the “Why take a chance with anything that serious” mind set. Snake boots can help fend off the vicious strikes of any killer snake, and for an adventure traveler who might actually run into a Fer-de-Lance, cobra, or taipen while traveling other continents, these are a must!

There are many good snake boot companies to choose them. A good pair of boots can be found from companies like Lacrosse, Chippewa, or RedHead. These can even prevent snake bites from the Bushmaster, a venomous snake considered with the Fer-de-Lance for the most dangerous snake in all of South America, and on par with any other in the world. If you get bit on the leg out in the wild, forget about it. Bites from either of those two snakes out in the wild can be deadly, and often are.

A good pair of snake boots can prevent a deadly bite, and even if you are in range to get treated with anti-venom, this footwear will save you a lot of pain during the recovery process.

There is no such thing as a “specialized” pair of snake boots. Any pair of snake boots will effectively stop a strike from any species of venomous snake. Don’t pay an extra $100 for “rattlesnake boots” over “normal” snake boots, because there is no difference between the two except a snake oil salesman trying to make an extra few bucks.

By: Shane Dayton

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