NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #31/NN_1992_31.iso/spool/rec/pets/herp/4310

Internet Message Format | 1992-12-31 | 1.8 KB

Path: sparky!uunet!gatech!emory!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!hamblin.math.byu.edu!yvax.byu.edu!cunyvm!cbtcc
Newsgroups: rec.pets.herp
Subject: Tracking escaped snakes
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
From: <[e-mail]>
Date: Thursday, 31 Dec 1992 12:12:51 EST
References: <[e-mail]><[e-mail]>
Organization: City University of New York/ University Computer Center
Lines: 25

I spoke to a herpetologist friend of mine recently, and he made an excellent
suggestion for finding escaped snakes.  We all know that when a snake escapes,
it like to cruise around next to walls, right?  Well, take advantage of this.
If you don't have carpeting on the floor, get a few pounds of salt or sand,
and lay it out next to the wall (on the floor, obviously).  IF the snake is
still around, and IF it is active (i.e., not too cold or something) you may
very well find slither tracks in the substrate.  You can then try and follow
the marks to its current hideout, or you will at least know that there is a
chance that staying up all night in a certain spot might pay off.

If you do have carpet, try this.  Go out and buy a bunch of little plastic
toy soldiers.  (I can't imagine a household without them, myself).  Set them
up next to the wall in places you think the critter might be cruising.  If
you find them knocked down in the morning, you can then follow the tracking
tips given above.

Obviously, you can mix and match any way you like.  Dominoes will also probably
work.  You get the idea.  Paul told me that he has gotten calls in his lab
from security guards in his building ("There's a SNAKE in here!!!") 2-4 floors
above his lab; when he got there, it was a snake that had been missing for
a year.  Good luck!  (Maybe now I'll find my Pacific gopher!).

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Chris Thompson