Trust in Me, Just in Me*

I haven't written about snakes for nearly two months. It's about time, don't you think?

Thursday morning I got up bright and early so that I could have some quality Skype time with Tom. A few minutes later, Timothy walked in. As any of you with teenage boys know, this was a rare occurrence. The sun has to be high in the sky before my boy gets out of bed willingly.

Sure enough, he said he'd been woken by a staff member reporting there was a python in the rabbit hutch. Tom spoke up from the Skype screen and said he didn't believe it. Finding a python alive is pretty rare. Timmy insisted it was a python and Tom demanded proof. 

Bless the makers of the digital camera, the laptop,  the internet and Skype. By using all these mediums, a seventeen year old boy gained some pride and confidence that morning. Sure enough, it was a python. Below is the picture that proved it.

Tom was so jealous. I told him he was welcome to fly back and come see it for himself. He declined this invitation. Something about needing to fulfill his speaking obligations, yada yada.

The next several minutes were spent discussing the best way to catch such a large and powerful snake and also, how and where to keep it until Tom returns.

Once Timmy had received his marching orders, he suited up by wearing work gloves and a long sleeve shirt. He also grabbed a 10 inch hunting knife in case the snake wrapped around him--he'd be able to stab it and force it to let him go. He insisted, however, that he was perfectly fine being barefoot. Huh! 

By the time we got to the rabbit hutch (yes, we!--I was drafted as the photographer) the snake had moved. 

Timmy and Enock (our gardener) positioned the metal drum just so and began poking gently but firmly at the snake with sticks and the snake grabber. Tom had been very specific about moving slowly and not angering the snake.

After doing this for a while and seeing no progress, Timmy said, "Gentleness be hanged, I'm gonna get me a snake" (or something like that--I may be paraphrasing), and he grabbed onto the snake's head with the snake grabber and pulled it into the drum. 

That was one unhappy snake. The lid was placed on the drum and taped and tied down. There is a breathing hole at the top and Mr. Python has since been fed a large rat. He may not be a happy snake but he'll be well fed.

"Thank you for saving us!"
You're so welcome, little bunny!

*In case you didn't get the reference, Kaa (a python) sang this song on Disney's Jungle Book.

More snake posts, in case you're into that kinda thing: 

Snakes and Klingons, Comments Regurgitated (second half), My Life Flashed

Exactly One Year Ago: Weekend Update with Amy....

A Couple Giggles to Brighten Your Weekend

Recently, a German young lady, studying at Oxford, came out to volunteer for a few weeks. She was a huge help in beginning to catalog our library books by entering them into an online database.

After she got home she published her photos on Facebook. Two of them stood out to me and made me smile. I got her permission to share them with you.

First, this photo shows Nathan and Peter supposedly feeding the ducks. But, judging by their faces, I don't think the ducks got much to eat that day.

Second, I think this photo shows that we have way too many snakes around our property. If someone can enjoy a delightful, mango snack while holding onto a semi-venomous snake, something is seriously wrong...

 

I love my crazy life!

 P.S Don't forget to enter my contest/giveaway 

Exactly One Year Ago: Fab Friday Foto

Sundays in My City--Snakes and Klingons

Tom decided that this weekend was the right time to clean and paint the inside of our snake habitat. 

I'll try to remember to post a pretty picture when it is looking all nice and snazzy. 

Another reason it needed to be done this weekend was because one of our Gaboon Vipers had 17(!) babies. We watched them being born. Well, I took a tiny peak and then ran for the safety of my living room. Later on, as Tom described the birth with all the joy of a proud papa, I nearly lost my lunch. As you may remember, I'm not exactly a fan of creepy, crawly things. 

The snake habitat is actually set up really well. They have fresh water in the little hollow, rocks and branches with fake leaves. Tom throws rats and mice down there regularly --less rats running around and well-fed, satisfied snakes--so everyone is happy.

The glass is removed from the front of the habitat and the snakes herded to that little hole at the back of the cage. 

The hole leads to this wooden passage. There are two boards fitting into slots in the passage. A larger box is fitted over the passage and a gunny sack is attached to that box with nails. Both slots are pulled out so the snake can travel down the passage and fall into the gunny sack. Once the slots are back in place, the bag is tied shut and then the nails are removed.

Once the bag is secure it is dropped into a large drum where the snakes will stay until the habitat is clean and freshly painted. There are 3-5 snakes in each bag.

Tom carefully directs the snakes to the back of the cage and into the passage way. He says that when the snakes are poked on their tails it annoys them and they move. 

Like I said earlier, I am not a fan of snakes and bravely stood by and took pictures for the entertainment and education of you, my lovely readers. Every once in a while I would jump two feet in the air if my camera unexpectedly vibrated or a fly landed on my leg. Once it was because I had taken a tiny step backward and a dry leaf crunched under my foot. I guess that can count as my cardio workout for the day. My heart rate sure was up.

Tom and his helper bagged up a total of 10 grown Gaboon  Vipers, 3 Puff Adders and 17 baby Gaboon Vipers. As I watched Tom work, there was a little something that bothered me. I realised it was his shirt.

Do you think that is the right motto to be sporting on your shirt as you work with poisonous snakes. No, I don't think so.

Definitely not!

  For more photos of people around the world, check out Unknown Mami.