16 replies to this topic

[toni_n_daz]

Just a quick message to say and introduce myself.

I live in South Launceston, married (2nd), 4 kids + 2 step kids and have been keeping reptiles for more than 7 1/2 years.

I have a registered reptile display business, State Coordinator for Reptile Rescue Inc and V.P. Tas Herpetology Society.

Any other questions please feel free to ask.

Darron

[tassiesim]

Hello and welcome Darren,

So i take it you would have snakes , but what other interesting things do you have ? frogs turtles yes I know we arent alloud to have turtles in Tasmnia but that doesnt mean they arnt there, after all the pet shop sells turtle food !,
I live on the other side of the city to you and used to keep frogs years ago to,
hope you like this forum and will be interesting to get to know you ,
Ok I think at 7;54am I've said enough no doubt Anna and Margie will come say Hi when they wake up lol

catch you around Sim.

[Shane V]

HI Darron,

Welcome to Real Tas and I hope you enjoy your stay.

You certainly have an interesting job, do you get many calls out to rescue snakes?

Thanks for introducing yourself and I will deifinitely ask some questions about snakes when I am more awake.

[Mystic]

Hi Darron & welcome. Nice to have you here.

Curious about snake species in Tasmania. I know a local herpetologist, and although she has never seen them she is certain that we have more species of snake than the three claimed to exist here. Have you ever come across species other than the tiger, copperhead and white lipped?

[toni_n_daz]

Thanks for the replies and welcomes.

Answers:

Yes I do have more than just snakes......12 x tiger snakes, 5 x copperheads, 2 x whitelips, 12 x blue tongues, 3 x mountain dragons, 2 x white skinks, 9 x baby tiger snakes, 5 x baby blue tongues, 3 x ocellated skinks, 1 x Storrs monitor (imported), 1 x bearded dragon (imported), 1 x Darwin carpet python (imported)...no turtles or frogs though.

As State Coordinator of Reptile Rescue Inc (RR Inc), I field around 500 active callouts each season. This does not include general enquiries, "saw it yesterday" or "I'll leave it for now and see if it re-appears".

Tasmania only has 3 native species of snake. There are a few pythons held by private members for educational purposes. I can inform all that the current policy regarding importation is under review and will be amended within the next "few" months. This will open up the restrictions as to who can import. There will be restrictions on WHAT can be imported still.

Hope this answers the questions and helps any other reader/visitor.

Cheers

Darron

[Shane V]

I suppose you come across this next question a lot...how many times have you been bitten?

[toni_n_daz]

I suppose you come across this next question a lot...how many times have you been bitten?

....Yes I do come across it virtually everyday.....still have the same answer each time thankfully.

Twice by a python, none by venomous snakes (touch wood), although been very close a couple of times

[Shane V]

You are very lucky not to have been bitten by a venomous one, have heard of many others who have been. Hope you continue to be lucky.

Are pythons agressive? And what about our natives are they...will they attack quickly?

[cathypault]

When we got back from our trip to Tassy we went down to our holiday unit at Pottsville Beach. I was inside and Cathy was outside on the veranda doing a crossword. The screen door burst open and Cathy came in with arms flailing, repeatedly exclaiming the F word. This had just slithered over her feet. When I came out with the camera it was next door and reared up. Lucky I have a 20* zoom because I gave him plenty of space.

It was a Brown, we get them quite big here but they don't normally get so close and personal

[Mystic]

Not the kind of creature I would like sliding across any part of my body. Those things are normally quite aggressive.

[Shane V]

I have had a similar experience with one of these critters. Not nice at all. I don't blame Cathy for her exclamations.

I did have a chuckle when I read your description.

[toni_n_daz]

You are very lucky not to have been bitten by a venomous one, have heard of many others who have been. Hope you continue to be lucky.

Are pythons agressive? And what about our natives are they...will they attack quickly?

Yes some pythons are aggressive. Mine was a little when first got him, but has settled now.

Generally own native snakes will only strike when aggravated, poked at or cornered. I have used wild caught tiger snakes in displays and let them slither over my shoes. provided you stand still, they see you as NO threat and majority will not even realise you are there.

[toni_n_daz]

When we got back from our trip to Tassy we went down to our holiday unit at Pottsville Beach. I was inside and Cathy was outside on the veranda doing a crossword. The screen door burst open and Cathy came in with arms flailing, repeatedly exclaiming the F word. This had just slithered over her feet. When I came out with the camera it was next door and reared up. Lucky I have a 20* zoom because I gave him plenty of space.

It was a Brown, we get them quite big here but they don't normally get so close and personal

I would love to get amongst some of te mainland species and compare them to Tassie snakes.

Nice spot Pottsville, I have a mate that lives there.

[tassie97]

saw a tiger the other day when i got my mountain dragons truly a stunning creature although my mum didnt think so

[Shane V]

Mum's do have a tendency to not like these critters...I love looking at them, such beautiful animals.

[tassie97]

yeah lol

[midgetyone]

Well I must indeed add my belated greetings

Sadly not fond of snakes, so no matter how good the lens is it is still to close......