He was put to sleep today. I was not there to see it but it took him nearly two hours to go down, he always did have a fighting spirit... I am currently looking for another indigo snake to replace him, it is crucial that the museum has an indigo snake because of the educational value of this species. I have a few contacts but it will take a bit of time to get things squared away. There will be several changes at the museum, we are moving Tonca to a different side of the pond and adding in a common snapping turtle to where Tonca is currently residing. Also, some of the other turtles are going to be moved around as well as a few new ones that will be arriving to accommodate a new exhibit at the museum. The new creature include a common snapping turtle (hatchling), a new alligator snapping turtle (juvenille), an indigo snake (juvenille), and an eastern diamondback terrapin (adult).

~Chris~

As everyone here knows, I am a big supporter of animals and would never do anything to harm any of them but it seems like animal rights groups such as the Humane Society, PETA, and Big Cat Rescue are strongly against fellow herpers and I. There have been letters sent out to residents in Florida that live near anyone with a permit for owning dangerous animals (i.e. Venomous reptiles) and make us sound like we are abusive and cruel to the animals that we keep. I have heard stories from reliable first hand sources about animal rights groups actually attempting to kill an active herper that was promoting the safe keeping of these animals by twisting off the lug nuts on his truck! They preach humanity but they are among the biggest hypocritical groups in the world!

~Chris~

PS. Sorry I have to be vague but the groups would sue my butt off if I word anything wrong

The indigo snake that I thought had a case of mouth rot had some blood drawn and it turns out that Elvis has cancer. I am now required to inject about 65cc's of fluids and meds. Unfortunately, I am not sure that he will make it much longer. Turns out that some of the other animals like Sparticus, the box turtle also have medical problems. Sparticus has a respiratory infection and our southern toad has a tumor on its nostril. They others will be okay but I am very worried about Elvis the indigo snake.

I will see what happens
~Chris~

Chad Minter was interviewed for this article that explains why people keep venomous snakes and a little bit about the laws

~Chris~

Often times at the museum, I will over hear someone groaning about how disgusting and dangerous some of the snakes are. Today, I confronted one such person with a large creamsicle corn snake. After the expected initial "eww" and "does it bite" the patron calmed down enough for me to explain about the snake and how it was harmless and beautiful. About ten minutes later, she had overcome her fear and admitted that the snake was indeed beautiful. She was able to bring herself to touch it (even if it was reluctant and brief), after that she promised that she would stop killing the snakes in her yard and I gave her the local reptile rescue number. It seems like every day that I work there are two or three people that will change their mind on snakes and overcome their fears of them.

That is why I love my job
~Chris~

At the museum of science and history there is the oldest living eastern indigo snake, Elvis. I was handling him when i noticed bubbles coming from his mouth and extremely soft and gooey scales directly beneath the mouth. I think the signs indicate either a respiratory infection or mouth rot. I attempted to examine the snakes mouth using a thin ruler and some force to try and open it up but it did not work. I am worried that the infection will get worse by the time that the vet is reached. I left a message for both the vet and the curator (my boss) telling them all of the details. I am just hoping that Elvis will be alright, he is one of my favorites at the museum.

~Chris~

For the state of Florida, the following is what the FFWC says are the requirements for getting the venomous permit which allows me to keep, handle and relocate any hot snake in FL:

"Venomous reptiles require a permit for personal possession. Cost of the permit is $100 per year. Owners of venomous reptiles must be at least 18 years of age, must not have been convicted of violating venomous reptile regulations for 3 years prior to their permit application and demonstrate no less than 1 year of experience (no less than 1000 hours) in the husbandry of the species they plan to own or similar species within the same biological family. Documented experience in zoology or other relevant biological sciences at the college or technical school level or above may substitute for 6 months (or 500 hours) of the required experience. Exhibitors of venomous reptiles must also post a $10,000 bond, effective July 1, 2007."

http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/RuleRegs.html

I am completely within these restrictions except for the age restriction (which is funny because there are some middle aged keepers with their permits that are completely incompetent). I cannot wait until I am able to (legally) catch venomous snakes. As for the ones that I will be keeping, I will wait until I have a house of my own before I keep any of them but I would like to specialize in tree vipers such as Bothriechis schlegeli.

~Chris~

All members can post questions in the discussion forum as well as answers, if you have a question, feel free to ask and i promise it will be answered promptly, I really want to make this work.

~Chris~

Went out road cruising today and saw a black racer, a bunch of pygmy rattlesnakes (some were really small but one of them was huge!), and a diamondback rattlesnake (the first one that i have ever personally hooked). It was a great day with perfect weather but it went by really quick with all of the snakes that were found...

~Chris~

I think everyone will enjoy this one on the fear of snakes...

I have prompted a question to be responded to but if anyone else has a question or piece of information, please post it. All of the questions are guaranteed to be answered promptly by either me or other knowledgeable individuals that visit this site. We are starting to get a lot more traffic through this site and by the end of the week, it should start to show up on search engines.

~Chris~