Rattlesnake Island

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by Kizmet, May 31, 2016.

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  1. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

  2. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    In The Dragons of Eden, Carl Sagan explains how the fear of reptiles emerges from the deepest, earliest evolved parts of our brains--stemming from when our ancestors were tiny mammals whose survival depended upon not being eaten by reptiles. You can see why people can't get past their fears and embrace the science, even when the science clearly shows they have nothing to fear.
     
  3. Neuhaus

    Neuhaus Well-Known Member

    This past winter we had a ladybug problem. Well, it wasn't really a problem but there sure were a lot of ladybugs in my house. My wife had no problem with them. If one got in her way she took it outside. If one landed on her she gently picked it up and moved it.

    But let one spider get in the house and you'd think I had invited an invading army in to stay.

    People dig cute stuff. And our notion of what is "cute" can be rather odd. Ladybugs are every bit the bug that a beetle is. But they look pretty (to many) so we don't mind sharing the space.

    I do find it funny that people are concerned about the snakes escaping and procreating elsewhere despite the fact that the snake experts think that is highly unlikely.
     
  4. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member


    Ladybugs are good to have around. They munch on insects that are harmful to plants, which is a good thing if you like gardening like I do. Home Depot used to sell them. As far a spiders go. My wife doesn't have a problem with certain spiders. Through the years, I told her that many spiders are harmless, like those spiders with the long legs (Daddy Longlegs?) So if she sees on, she gets me. I wrap up them up in a piece of toyledo paper, and I release them outside. She has no problem with Daddy Long legs, or little wolf spiders. But, she also know to let me know if there is a suspicious looking spider. If the body is black, and it has a certain red marking, she alerts me :smile: If I happen to have a spare huarache lying around, I promptly kill it. Palos! end of story. :smile:
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 31, 2016
  5. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    That would explain our continued fascination with dinosaurs, 65 million years later.
     
  6. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    I don't have a dog in the fight (I live nowhere near there), but aren't snakes really good swimmers?
     
  7. airtorn

    airtorn Moderator

    From what I have seen, yes, very good.
     
  8. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Also (going way back to the emergence of land animals) our fascination with the beach.
     
  9. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Yes. The article even mentions that. But zoologists are too worried; this rattler is very shy and seldom seen by humans. Also, it isn't particularly venomous, and it often doesn't even inject venom in the very rare times humans have been bitten.

    Locals don't have any reason to worry. The snake's population was decimated by human intrusion. That, the food supply (also damaged by humans), and the limited nesting opportunities will serve to keep the population down.
     
  10. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    My Dad always told me and my brother that there were rattlesnakes in the Blue Hills Reservation, but I never saw one during hikes or horse rides, so I started to think he was pulling our legs. Then this happened;

    5-Foot Rattlesnake Found Outside Office Building Near Blue Hills « CBS Boston

    There are rattlers there all right, but the last time there was a fatal bite in Massachusetts was 1791, so I suppose we have history going for us.
     
  11. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

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