Herp Report: Rain makes it "hot"

The best time to go herping is common knowledge to the reptile community, but other people might not realize this.

In Texas, reports are climbing of Coral Snakes, which is bad with a shortage of anti-venom:

The coral snake is one of four types of venomous snakes common in Texas, though it is the least dangerous in the group.

"They have extremely small fangs and so if someone is wearing any protective garment like gloves, pants or shoes - the snake will not be able to bite you," said Wildlife Biologist John Davis with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department .

Davis said the best thing to do when someone crosses paths with a snake is to respect the reptile and walk away.

For the full article from Austin News, click here.

As reptile people, we are ALWAYS asked how to get rid of snakes. This article out of North Texas has the suggestion:

Snakes only eat live prey, so getting rid of mouse problem, may be the start to keeping away snakes.

From India, another problem is arising with the rains and venomous snakes. However this is more the relaxed nature of the handlers after too many times handling.

From the Times Of India:

'Overconfidence' is the cardinal sin when it comes to handling a creature as unpredictable as a snake. Capt (retd.) Suresh Sharma of the Panchkula-based Snake Cell has visited 2,500 homes and rescued 1,500 snakes. He says the more he learns about snakes, the more apprehensive he gets. "I am acutely aware of the complications of snake-bite. I try not to get carried away. Australian Steve Irwin, who died of a stingray bite, was playing to the galleries. The TV crews were egging him on to do foolishly dangerous things. Ranade had handled 1,5000 snakes but that experience can lull you into 'overconfidence' or foster the attitude that 'I have seen it all'," Capt Sharma told TOI.

India's legendary reptile expert, Rom Whitaker, told TOI, "Machoism is the biggest killer, especially at night when snakes surface and men are drunk. Youths try to show off with snakes and are bitten. There is no need to catch snakes from their necks. There are established techniques using snake hooks and a long tube attached to a bag to capture snakes. Such techniques keep handlers and snakes safe. The Irula tribals are India's best snake hunters but nine of them have died in the last 35 years. Most snake handlers have been bitten by venomous snakes and have survived. So, with the passage of time, they tend to start ignoring bites," said Whitaker.