summer and the wildlife is stirring!

[Ken Gargett]

not quite summer but after a really cold july/early august, the weather has warmed right up - could be a very long hot summer, but then it always is. of course, this wakes up the local wildlife. first snake of the season out on the rail next to the car. carpet python. about five foot so quite a small one but they are terrific as they look after all manner of rats and mice and also poisonous snakes.

the huntsman spider in the letterbox is guarding her eggsack. so i have to be very careful removing the mail so as not to disturb her.

[skalls]

I would kill the spider with fire.

North Dakota doesn't have creepy crawlies that big.

[SofaKing]

Christ...I would never survive down under between the snakes and the countless deadly insects!

[Ken Gargett]

I would kill the spider with fire.

North Dakota doesn't have creepy crawlies that big.

the spiders don't bite humans (at least not these spiders). they clean up cockroaches and all manner of things, including other spiders. i did think of putting it in with my scorpion for a fight to the death (curious to see who'd win) but i don't wish to harm it.

the main danger from them is if they are in your car and accidently drop on you when driving. they do cause accidents.

the snake is about a bit under half the length it will grow to over a decade or two. but it could weight 4-5 times what it is now.

this one has really got my possum (or at least, the possum which lives in the garage) unhappy. he is probably a smidge too small to eat the possum at the moment but in a year or two...

[Fuzz]

the main danger from them is if they are in your car and accidently drop on you when driving. they do cause accidents.

Before anyone scoffs at this, oddly enough, this does happen quite often.

[NJP]

Even the spider run across the windscreen will spoil a new set of shorts.

[Coolio]

Before anyone scoffs at this, oddly enough, this does happen quite often.

Very true. I've seen a grown man squeal like a stuck pig when it happened once.

And yes, it was me doing the squealing!

[Coolio]

the spiders don't bite humans (at least not these spiders). they clean up cockroaches and all manner of things, including other spiders. i did think of putting it in with my scorpion for a fight to the death (curious to see who'd win) but i don't wish to harm it.

the main danger from them is if they are in your car and accidently drop on you when driving. they do cause accidents.

the snake is about a bit under half the length it will grow to over a decade or two. but it could weight 4-5 times what it is now.

this one has really got my possum (or at least, the possum which lives in the garage) unhappy. he is probably a smidge too small to eat the possum at the moment but in a year or two...

My friends in banyo had a huge one last year, and they became quite worried about their small dog, so had the python removed.

I'm not sure how often dogs get eaten by them, or whether it's just an urban myth ?

[Ken Gargett]

My friends in banyo had a huge one last year, and they became quite worried about their small dog, so had the python removed.

I'm not sure how often dogs get eaten by them, or whether it's just an urban myth ?

definitely not an urban myth. cats and dogs often go missing. what would scare me is if i had a young baby. if i did, i would not live out here (not that it is far 'out').

the problem is that pythons have not been told that dogs and cats are pets and should not be eaten. they just see a small animal and think dinner.

every now and again, the local paper reports on a python dining on some small dog. needless to say, that rarely goes well for the python.

ps - the biggest one i have seen on my balcony was pushing 13 feet. one seriously big snake. but was just trying to have a snooze and very grumpy when i moved it on. i measured it against myself, figuring it at a bit over two of me. sadly, i'm pretty sure it was run over by a truck - unless there were two of them that size. there are lots around here but the biggies are very territorial.

[archosaur]

This post is awesome and represents the main reason I need to get to Australia someday. I fantasize about renting a small camper and heading out for weeks, in search of Australia's amazing variety of elapids, varanids, crocodilians, etc.

That spider is something else! We have huntsman spiders here but nothing in that size class!!

I am an unabashed snakes/reptiles/creepy crawlies guy. Have spent countless hours in the 'bush' looking for secretive, cold blooded creatures. Here is a taste of the American Southwest:

Arizona Blacktail Rattlesnake

[Ken Gargett]

This post is awesome and represents the main reason I need to get to Australia someday. I fantasize about renting a small camper and heading out for weeks, in search of Australia's amazing variety of elapids, varanids, crocodilians, etc.

That spider is something else! We have huntsman spiders here but nothing in that size class!!

I am an unabashed snakes/reptiles/creepy crawlies guy. Have spent countless hours in the 'bush' looking for secretive, cold blooded creatures. Here is a taste of the American Southwest:

you will have the time of your life in australia.

[NaFFe]

You will open the letter box one day and have baby spiders all over your mail. Which iam sure you will close the lid and just walk away. I live in the middle of sydney and my garden which consists of a few pot plants still brings in the odd huntsman

[MrGTO]

Living in the South bugs are eveywhere. I don't know how it is down in your neck Ken but at night here the bugs are so loud it's kinda like white noise. My wife came here from California and was a little freaked out on how loud the insects are at night in the summer.

This guy was about the size of a silver dollar. He set up shop right outside my front door.

[kuma]

Wow! How cool the flora and funa is down under. In my younger years I almost went to University and major in forestry because

I thought I could help wildlife in some way / cause. But as things would progress in my life father had other plans for

me his son. One day he dropped me off at the local military recruiters office and said "see you in a couple of hours make a

choice" so that ended univerity for a while and majoring in forestry. Some I'll get my wife to agree to travel with me to Oz

and enjoy the natural wonders of that great country.

[Ubergosupro69]

In Iowa, USA, the bugs are very rarely dangerous, but the cacophony can actually be painful. My friend measured 120 decibels last summer on my deck. I'm obsessed with cicadas though

[Ken Gargett]

Very interested in the python Ken as we use them to make wallets and bags. Would love to know where we could get our hands on some like these.

very common here.

they may take objection though.

as might the authorities. you are not even allowed to catch and keep them as pets.

[MIKA27]

This post is awesome and represents the main reason I need to get to Australia someday. I fantasize about renting a small camper and heading out for weeks, in search of Australia's amazing variety of elapids, varanids, crocodilians, etc.

That spider is something else! We have huntsman spiders here but nothing in that size class!!

I am an unabashed snakes/reptiles/creepy crawlies guy. Have spent countless hours in the 'bush' looking for secretive, cold blooded creatures. Here is a taste of the American Southwest:

Arizona Blacktail Rattlesnake

blacktail_1.jpg

No need to look here, THEY WILL FIND YOU!

[madbunny]

it does happen with huntsman a friend of mine was driving home one day sun in her eyes pulled down the visor and it landed on her head she crashed the car hitting a tree nearly killed her.other thing is dont run snakes over while driving try to avoid them eg when you stop you will have one pissed off snake allway still alive dont know how but look out when you step out of your car

[Fuzz]

No need to look here, THEY WILL FIND YOU!

Most definitely. Had a pair of red-bellied black snakes take up residence in my backyard last year. Kept my dog indoors until I could get somebody out to collect them.

Fairly harmless compared to other Aussie snakes. They like to eat other snakes, but they can give you a nasty bite if provoked.

There was a news story a few years back of a red-belly eating a brown snake. Didn't agree with him for some reason, so it regurgitated him... still alive.

[Ken Gargett]

it does happen with huntsman a friend of mine was driving home one day sun in her eyes pulled down the visor and it landed on her head she crashed the car hitting a tree nearly killed her.other thing is dont run snakes over while driving try to avoid them eg when you stop you will have one pissed off snake allway still alive dont know how but look out when you step out of your car

that definitely happens with snakes, though you see enough flattened on the road to know not always. i assume that the tyre spinning as it goes over them flicks them up into the engine or wherever. they are not going to try and get out till the car stops. so they are hot, probably have broken ribs and extremely grumpy.

if ever i have happened to run over one, not for ages thankfully, i immediately check the rear view. no snake and it is a very nervous trip home.

[Ken Gargett]

Most definitely. Had a pair of red-bellied black snakes take up residence in my backyard last year. Kept my dog indoors until I could get somebody out to collect them.

Fairly harmless compared to other Aussie snakes. They like to eat other snakes, but they can give you a nasty bite if provoked.

There was a news story a few years back of a red-belly eating a brown snake. Didn't agree with him for some reason, so it regurgitated him... still alive.

fuzz, they are definitely quite poisonous but they are good have around because they do eat browns and others which are much worse. also, they are very timid, so if you are careful - don't sneak up and stick your hand under a log or run barefoot in the long grass - you are usually fine. i have them here but almost never see them.

[madbunny]

ive heard lately that browns and blacks have been mating not sure if true or not ?

[madbunny]

Living in the South bugs are eveywhere. I don't know how it is down in your neck Ken but at night here the bugs are so loud it's kinda like white noise. My wife came here from California and was a little freaked out on how loud the insects are at night in the summer.

This guy was about the size of a silver dollar. He set up shop right outside my front door.

in our backyard we take to those kind of spiders here in aus with tennis rackets hehe

[subport]

I love nature but its so different here in Europe. Especially Scandinavia, lol. Those creatures down there...I dont know man. I was not growing up with them...just scares the hell out of me. Im all itchy just thinkin about em...

[dangolf18]

Sounds like a good time....