Little Green Buddy

Mrwurm · Oct 8, 2003

Not sure. All I can say is that I have more green tree frogs around here than I know what to do with. Never saw a tomato worm (caterpillar) till I moved to the country either.

Tractors4u · Oct 8, 2003

We have a few of the little green tree frogs down here and their habitat is usually my front storm door.

jinman · Oct 9, 2003

( they kill rodents )

That little fella' probably never killed a rodent, but I'd bet he finds plenty of bugs to eat. When I was first clearing the dense "jungle" where I built my house, I saw several of these emerald green snakes in the brush. As a kid, we used to see them all the time in wild blackberry vines. I was jealous of them because they never seemed to get stuck by the berry thorns and I managed to get hung-up every time I went to pick berries./forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Anyhow, after I cleared away all the brush, the snakes went away and I haven't seen a single green snake in over 8 years. It's funny to see a snake about the diameter of a pencil, but 2' long. Even if you don't like them, you have to admit they are very pretty...or maybe not. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

jinman · Oct 9, 2003

( Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardii) )

I noticed this snake listed as common in Michigan. A similar snake is pretty common in Texas, but with a red ring on its neck instead of the yellow ring in the MI variety. I have a Texas Snake Book, and I was fascinated by this snake when I saw one in the book. I had never seen one, but the very next day, I was clearing some brush and looked down to see a ring-necked snake in the leaves. I've seen a lot of snakes, but that was the only time I've seen one of those and it was the day after seeing it in the book. I've often said, "I'm sure glad I wasn't looking at pictures of wild elephants." /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Dozernut · Oct 9, 2003

I read an article on snakes by a fellow from Australia. He has been studying the common non-poisonous snakes from around the world. He found that almost all snakes are venomous, but they do not have the delivery system that our poisonous species do (fangs). He stated that the saliva of the common Rat snake is almost as venomous as a cobra. The snakes have supposedly developed this poison millions of years ago, it is not a recent development of evolution. The snakes would have to chew on you like the Gila Monster lizard to distribute the poison. It is a fascinating read, I will see if I can find the link again.

Dozernut · Oct 9, 2003

I found the link, it is:

http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s927762.htm

OkeeDon · Oct 9, 2003

I think my fear of all snakes probably developed about the same time as the first venom. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Inspector507 · Oct 9, 2003

I've seen plenty of Garter snakes out in the yard, but when the wife went downstairs to do laundry.........and there on her folding table was a SNAKE. I had to "get that thing outta here NOW" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Garters are the only type I've seen here at this house. I still don't like 'em /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Hoosier_Daddy · Oct 9, 2003

Dozer.

OK, that snake guy is a real NUT CASE. NO Way would I wade the everglades.

Thinking back I remeber wading the swamps down in OLE MISS and LA during an exercise in Boot Camp. And that paved the way for the rivers and rice patties later but then I was 18 years old.

No way would I do it today.

I think his solar panel has been overcharged.

Tom

jinman · Oct 9, 2003

I was aware that many snakes have mildly poisonous venom in their saliva and inject that into tiny bugs, worms, and rodents. On people, the venom is so mild as to have no effect or very little effect. I was not aware that a rat snake had the same toxins as a cobra, but I do know they have the same bad attitude as my ex-wife. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif