BajaNomad - Rattlesnakes sans rattles??????

Rattlesnakes sans rattles??????

Baja Bernie - 2-6-2006 at 04:24 PM

Just had my physical therapist ask me if I knew of an island south of Bola where the rattlesnakes had no rattles and their only prey were birds. He said no one goes onto the island because the snakes have developed a highly potent form of venom so that the birds could not fly away after being bit.
I told him I thought someone was pulling his leg. Can anyone to clarify this?

Grover

Baja Bernie - 2-6-2006 at 07:19 PM

Thanks for the information.

David K - 2-6-2006 at 10:25 PM

Bernie, I highly recommend you pick up this book! Every snake, lizard, and frog in Baja is in there with a color photo!
I think Discover Baja keeps them in stock...

Sharksbaja - 2-7-2006 at 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by grover
"The Santa Catalina Island rattlesnake Crotalus catalinensis has no rattle! It?s found only on Santa Catalina Island, off the coast of southern Baja California, Mexico. This snake climbs trees and sneaks up on its bird prey, which is easier without a noisy rattle."
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-rattlesnake.html

http://www.sdnhm.org/fieldguide/herps/crot-cat.html

:Yer giving me the willies here Grove!!

Bernie; if you only knew!

Pompano - 2-7-2006 at 05:48 AM

Bernie!!....I can't believe anyone has not heard of our famous Catalina rattleless rattlesnakes. Now I suppose you are going to tell us you don't know about the exalted and rare Sta. Rosalia rat snake?...or that we have boa constrictors here?...and snakes with eyelids? There must be a story brewing here somewhere, right?

Pompano

Baja Bernie - 2-7-2006 at 07:34 AM

Show me one that can wink and I'll give you a wonderful bedtime story.

Pompano - 2-7-2006 at 07:48 AM

Hmmm.....I can tell you we got a present once....a bedsnake mallet. Not my favorite gift.

Skeet/Loreto - 2-7-2006 at 08:10 AM

In 1968 Tio Don, Fred Shields, and I, took 3 Pangas and a Goat to Santa Catalina island, a trip of about 30 miles south of Loreto.

We caught Wahoo, Dorado, Marlin, Sailfish, picked Lobster off the Rocks at Night by shining a light on the rocks..

We camped on the Beach and explored inland and observed several of the Rattless Rattle Snakes{they are talked about in Ray Cannon,s "The Sea of Cortez" Book}.

At one time that is the Northern most point where you could Catch Wahoo.

On the Third day we BBQ,ed the Goat!!

Skeet/Loreto

Pompano - 2-7-2006 at 08:23 AM

Skeet...those were some times. I went there the first time by sailing a catamaran and anchor/camping along the shore. Jeez... I get the feeling sometimes we are becoming a part of the ancient history of Baja ourselves. Time to pass the baton to the newcomers...as it should be.

I remember taking a few goats to Pta. Chivato for BBQ's too..a real blast the last time when we did one lua-Hawaai style! It was so tender that when we tried to pull a leg out of the roasting hole, it just slid right out of the meat. Deeelicious! But our rattlesnakes out there let us hear their rattles!!

Pomp

Baja Bernie - 2-7-2006 at 08:34 AM

If you really believe that it is the time to pass the baton then why don't you get with the stories that if lost in your passing will be lost for all time. That is why I started writing about Baja. Old Dick Harrison kicked my butt for over a year before I started recording the good times, and a few bad ones, so the next generation would have a clue.

You could start with just about any of the characters you listed above. I've been trying to learn more about Baja Patty for a couple of years but nobody really wants to share.

The fishing brothers you mentioned the other day would be another good one. If you don't want to do it them send me the information and I will.

It's called:

Sharksbaja - 2-7-2006 at 10:18 AM

"Ode to Fattie Pattie"
----
Bernie, damn it, quit acting that way. As long as you know you have to reply, there is no way yer checkin' out.

Skeet/Loreto - 2-7-2006 at 10:25 AM

Benie: A Basic Story About Baja Patty And her Pistolera "Pablo Furete} or Paul Strong>

My information only.
Baja Patty was an ex production Worker from an Aircraft Factory in So. Calif

True or False??
She was a large, good looking Blonde who had a small Ranch across from Muelege. She was a two fisted Drinking women who enterained at the Bar at the Serindad.
My Friend Pabulo left San Nickolas and became a Street Drunk, Baja patty picked hm up and took him to her Ranch to dry him out and made Him her Pistolera. She would not let him practive his beleif in the Spirit world.
One day Patty brought him to Loreto when she Visited Tio Don. Pabulo got me away from Patty and Tio and gave me his Spirit, which I carry to this Day.
A small leather bag with the Brain Bones of the Osprey.

I did not know Patty very well, but Pabulo was a very good Friend. Every time I see an Osprey It grings back many mermories of a True mexicano Friend.

Skeet/Loreto

gringorio - 2-7-2006 at 06:25 PM

Thanks David!

I didn't know about that guide, so just ordered it! It's available at: http://www.bajabooksandmaps.com/

Cool snakes, by the way... :bounce:

Here's more:

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/wildworld/profiles/photos/...

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Bernie, I highly recommend you pick up this book! Every snake, lizard, and frog in Baja is in there with a color photo!
I think Discover Baja keeps them in stock...

[Edited on 2-8-2006 by gringorio]

[Edited on 2-8-2006 by gringorio]

David K - 2-7-2006 at 07:40 PM

De Nada Greg... It usually is in my truck on every Baja trip... along with Baja Plant Field Guide and the Baja Roadside Geology book...

bajalera - 2-8-2006 at 11:05 AM

I didn't know about the book either. Thanks, DK!

capn.sharky - 2-12-2006 at 08:58 PM

Bernie---Catalana Isla is the only known place in the world where the rattlesnakes do not have rattles---thus making them more dangerous since they cannot warn you as you approach. However, as far as I know, that does not keep people from visiting the island. I think you will soon have to get a special permit to land on the island from the Park Service. As least they are talking about it right now. Personally, I don't like 'em with or without rattles. I have never heard that their bite was worse than any other rattlesnake. The Mojave Green is the most poisenous---I think. Rats and Snakes give me the willies.

Sisyphus?

Gypsy Jan - 2-12-2006 at 09:16 PM

Hi Gringorio,

Why does your avatar reference him?

gringorio - 2-13-2006 at 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
Hi Gringorio,

Why does your avatar reference him?

Hola Gypsy Jan ~

"The gods had condemned Sisyphus to ceaselessly rolling a rock to the top of a
mountain, whence the stone would fall back of its own weight. They had thought
with some reason that there is no more dreadful punishment than futile and
hopeless labor."

Well,

That?s a good question. My initial response is that is it the way I feel about
efforts of protecting the environment from the devastation created by short-
sighted or arrogant human choices. I think the momentum of development and over-
consumption is well established and that no amount of effort will change the
current course of human history before we lose most of what sustains us and
what brings us joy and happiness. An impoverished landscape (and oceans) will
only lead to impoverished lifestyles.

Despite that pessimistic feeling, I will keep trying to push that stone to the
top of the hill even if it feels like ?futile and hopeless labor.? That stone
represents a kind of ?enlightenment? in regarding and respecting all organisms
and all ecological processes as fundamental and necessary aspects of our daily
well-being. It seems ironic to me that some of the complaints voiced here
center around the gringo invasion or lack of understanding of this place
called ?Baja? yet not many are willing to stand up and say ?enough is enough?
in regards to the gringo or Mexican initiated obliteration of the remaining
pristine and/or ecologically functional ecosystems ? the very ecosystems that
bring us happiness and well-being.

If it?s a Wall Mart parking lot you want, it?s a Wall Mart parking lot you?ll
get. The arrival of Wall Mart is not inevitable, nor is development, like
several people have expressed to me. You don?t have to give up, sit back, and
check off each new development attempt and say ?well, I guess I?ll have to find
another special spot in Baja before its all gone.? There is cause and effect in
regards to our personal choices and our voices do count in what goes and what
remains.

The punishment of Sisyphus is really a metaphorical punishment for us all in
the sense that we all are guilty of murder - of ecosystems, bio-diversity, and,
in the end, ourselves - in the context of accepting progress and development as
an inevitable outcome of human needs.

What makes me sad is that we have the knowledge, the science, the passion, and
the will to re-integrate ourselves into the ecological processes that still
make Earth a paradise for us. Yet we choose to act with anger, suspicion,
judgment, arrogance, and greed.

greg :bounce:

ursidae69 - 2-14-2006 at 07:55 AM

Greg: Nice! :cool:

.
.
I also wanted to post about another reptile and amphibian book for Baja. I have and carry the book DavidK posted, it is good, but the definitive authority on herps in Baja is Lee Grismer. His text is what the professionals use. If you are really into reptiles and amphibians, I suggest this book as well.

Link to Amazon.com

gringorio - 2-14-2006 at 08:58 AM

thanks Ursidae... I have the text by Grismer too!

:bounce:

Quote:

Originally posted by ursidae69
Greg: Nice! :cool:

Natalie Ann - 2-14-2006 at 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ursidae69
Greg: Nice! :cool:

Yeah, what ursidae said!

4baja - 2-15-2006 at 07:33 AM

baja berni, weve seen them on smith island out front of bola. my girlfriends kid was crawling inside a cave when he saw one and called us in for a look. the snake was whitish with black patterns on its back. :coolup: