More light-hearted aspects, hobbies, interest and just general aspects (let's talk about what we enjoy and what things are like on your side / area)

[CarriePie]

Wow, I've never been to such a haven for snakes as that! It sounds like they were hoping that you'd share some fish with them. 🙂🐍🐍🐍🐍

Here's a channel of a guy who lives in Asia. It's hard to believe that he free handles venomous snakes and survived to live this long. You might find it interesting or a bit unnerving.
I subscribe to his and a couple other wildlife educators. I used to do field trips like this, but would not risk free handling venomous snakes, although I raised some in captivity right out of college.

https://youtube.com/@davidsfeed?feature=shared

Snakes are fascinating. Thank you for the link!

When I was a preteen, I want to become a herpetologist and study snakes. I was particularly fascinated with the science of constrictors and venomous snakes. The biology of them is incredible. My mother, who was terrified of snakes, told me that she wouldn't have it lol.
I'm not partial to having one for a pet (of course, I not really a pet person overall) and I don't really want them in the house, but I think snakes are very important part of our world. I've never killed one and don't plan to unless I absolutely have to.
I've seen at least 7 different types of non-venomous snakes in the yard. Two different types have even found their way inside. I didn't become hysterical or harm them, and they left. Wildlife is fascinating to me. I see creation as the Lord's artwork. And some snakes have some amazing patterns. For example, I'm amazed at the African Gaboon viper's pattern.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

Snakes are fascinating. Thank you for the link!

When I was a preteen, I want to become a herpetologist and study snakes. I was particularly fascinated with the science of constrictors and venomous snakes. The biology of them is incredible. My mother, who was terrified of snakes, told me that she wouldn't have it lol.
I'm not partial to having one for a pet (of course, I not really a pet person overall) and I don't really want them in the house, but I think snakes are very important part of our world. I've never killed one and don't plan to unless I absolutely have to.
I've seen at least 7 different types of non-venomous snakes in the yard. Two different types have even found their way inside. I didn't become hysterical or harm them, and they left. Wildlife is fascinating to me. I see creation as the Lord's artwork. And some snakes have some amazing patterns. For example, I'm amazed at the African Gaboon viper's pattern.

I agree.
I also wanted to be a herpetologist growing up! I was more interested in helping animals, field work, education and blessing people, so I went a different direction into educational wildlife shows and ministries. However, I took a lot of herp classes and raised more reptiles and amphibians than a zoo.

My last snakes were vivid lemon yellow Anacondas.
Gaboons are amazing giants of their kind. Their patterns are beautiful. The closest I've had to a Gaboon Viper were two of THE most brilliant Rhino Vipers that I've ever seen. I bought them from a lifelong breeder in Florida who is known for exceptional herps. They were the most exceptional specimens from the Ituri Forest variety. I wish I had pictures handy because they were by far the most colorful ones I have ever seen of any sp. ever. Here's a common example or two. I would set the settings to HQ/HR.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

This is not mine, but a pretty nice example. It looks like this one has 5 colors. The shapes, patterns and, if I remember correctly, mine had 8 colors make it an exceptional painting of God's artistic talent amongst the animal kingdom.

 

[Lynx]

I'd rather eat a Fowler's toad
Than study herpetology
And I can't stomach any part
Of gastroenterology

Quote from an XKCD comic.

 

[CarriePie]

I agree.
I also wanted to be a herpetologist growing up! I was more interested in helping animals, field work, education and blessing people, so I went a different direction into educational wildlife shows and ministries. However, I took a lot of herp classes and raised more reptiles and amphibians than a zoo.

My last snakes were vivid lemon yellow Anacondas.
Gaboons are amazing giants of their kind. Their patterns are beautiful. The closest I've had to a Gaboon Viper were two of THE most brilliant Rhino Vipers that I've ever seen. I bought them from a lifelong breeder in Florida who is known for exceptional herps. They were the most exceptional specimens from the Ituri Forest variety. I wish I had pictures handy because they were by far the most colorful ones I have ever seen of any sp. ever. Here's a common example or two. I would set the settings to HQ/HR.

Thank you for the video and image. Very beautiful. The Lord's creation leaves me in awe and makes my heart swell. We should all not neglect to often be thankful for all the amazing things we get to see and experience. I hadn't heard of the Gabino viper until now. The patterns of these snakes are exquisite.
Now, I have to say, I might seem brave to some by swimming with a few harmless water snakes, but you far excel me. I'm not gonna lie, I am not as brave you...not even close. I think it's amazing that you chose the direction that you chose.
People miss out so much by not tuning into all the creation that we can see and wonder at. When I am out looking for neat spiders and bugs, I don't always see them right away. When I clear my head of daily static and tune in, then I start to see many things.

 

[seoulsearch]

I agree.
I also wanted to be a herpetologist growing up! I was more interested in helping animals, field work, education and blessing people, so I went a different direction into educational wildlife shows and ministries. However, I took a lot of herp classes and raised more reptiles and amphibians than a zoo.

My last snakes were vivid lemon yellow Anacondas.
Gaboons are amazing giants of their kind. Their patterns are beautiful. The closest I've had to a Gaboon Viper were two of THE most brilliant Rhino Vipers that I've ever seen. I bought them from a lifelong breeder in Florida who is known for exceptional herps. They were the most exceptional specimens from the Ituri Forest variety. I wish I had pictures handy because they were by far the most colorful ones I have ever seen of any sp. ever. Here's a common example or two. I would set the settings to HQ/HR.

May I ask, did you raise them to sell to private pet owners, etc?

I've always been interested in reptiles (not to own or raise, but just in general) and follow a few channels on YouTube (Snake Discovery, etc.) I especially enjoy the information they share about trying to feed their animals in the most ethical ways they can, and creating interactive, enriching habitats. 🐍😊

 

[Susanna]

Here in Texas not many have a thing for slithering snakes. Those things are venomous and dangerous. I don’t care how many rodents they kill or not kill, I know one thing for sure, though, if I encounter any of those reptiles it won’t get to see tomorrow.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

May I ask, did you raise them to sell to private pet owners, etc?

I've always been interested in reptiles (not to own or raise, but just in general) and follow a few channels on YouTube (Snake Discovery, etc.) I especially enjoy the information they share about trying to feed their animals in the most ethical ways they can, and creating interactive, enriching habitats. 🐍😊


I did not know that. That is so cool!
You seem like a tender Seoul...soul. 🙂
I hate to see animals suffer too. I used ethical ways to feed predators that normally require live prey. I came up with the feeder stick. My Dad and I worked on prototypes together. It takes dead food or meat and helps you activate the feed instinct in them. That way live feeders are not required.

I raised a variety of wildlife to use in ministries and for my business to help support the ministry. The Rhinoceros Vipers unfortunately did not make it to adulthood. It was impossible to find adequate help when gone very long for trips. I lost them to a caretaker mishap while I was away. I had a few breeding programs, but those were more of a hobby than anything.
I decided to sell my other venomous snakes to a private collector.

You might like this young guy's channel. He is open to suggestions and making improvements all the time. I think his channel will take off when he is able to devote the extra time to making weekly videos.

https://youtube.com/@lifeswildadventures?feature=shared

Here's an interactive habitat of a private collector that you might enjoy watching too.

This gal< helps her Dad run their Reptile Zoo. I used to own one of > These< too. The blue is extremely pretty in the sunlight.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

A Girl's Best Friend 😊

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

A Lizard's Best Friend 😄

 

[Valour-dare]

LoL, I've never thought of myself as an adrenaline junkie. I do seem to have always been around friends who aren't as "brave" as I am lol. There's been at least 3 times I've been swimming and there would be snakes swimming around. Each of those times was with a different friend and each time the friend would be upset and have a very worried look on their face. The thing of it was, those were water snakes. Harmless. One of the last times I went swimming, there was a water snake swimming back and forth from one side of the bank to the other. It wasn't bothering me, I wasn't bothering it. I thought to myself, if I don't tell my friend maybe she won't notice. Well, she eventually spotted it and was afraid for my safety. I said, "It's no big deal, we've been swimming by each other since we got here."

After reading your experience it does seem you are more prone to be an "adrenaline junkie" than say me... I tend to be a more cautious person by nature and wouldn't do something for fun whereby I may potentially injure myself, without first thinking of the consequences. It is just my nature lol.

I guess everyone has different facets to themselves but in this respect I am diametrically opposite you and your spontaneous exploits of fun lol. I would rather make those "doomsday" pancakes / flapjacks you shared previously...

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

Here in Texas not many have a thing for slithering snakes. Those things are venomous and dangerous. I don’t care how many rodents they kill or not kill, I know one thing for sure, though, if I encounter any of those reptiles it won’t get to see tomorrow.

I understand your concern to eliminate potential threats from your area. Most don't want rattlers in their yard.
Unfortunately, most people kill the natural predators of venomous snakes. Many times I've had people tell me they killed a copperhead, when in fact they were non-venomous snakes that eat copperheads. In their zeal of" every good snake is a dead snake", they establish populations of copperheads and rattlers by killing their enemies. Those are my region's 2 species of poisonous snake's.

Learn what every non-venomous snake looks like in Texas through a wildlife education program that lets you see them up close with someone who can help you ID them. I used to catch and release all kinds, so the public could learn the difference between them. It's not as easy to know from a two dimensional picture in a book.

 

[CarriePie]

After reading your experience it does seem you are more prone to be an "adrenaline junkie" than say me... I tend to be a more cautious person by nature and wouldn't do something for fun whereby I may potentially injure myself, without first thinking of the consequences. It is just my nature lol.

I guess everyone has different facets to themselves but in this respect I am diametrically opposite you and your spontaneous exploits of fun lol. I would rather make those "doomsday" pancakes / flapjacks you shared previously...

I'm really not a thrill seeker. Most of the time I'd probably be considered pretty mundane lol

I see you remembered them flapjacks! It's nice to know someone found them appealing

 

[Valour-dare]

I'm really not a thrill seeker. Most of the time I'd probably be considered pretty mundane lol

I see you remembered them flapjacks! It's nice to know someone found them appealing

Yes they looked mighty appetizering I must say. I can imagine them as a treat especially nice and warm with butter and apricot or strawberry jam (what I believe you Americans call jelly lol) if I really had some money then some fresh cream too on it lol.

What can I say some of us guys wouldn't have seen those flapjacks as anything other than an demonstration of affection and not as the "pancakes of doom" 😅😋

 

[CarriePie]

Yes they looked mighty appetizering I must say. I can imagine them as a treat especially nice and warm with butter and apricot or strawberry jam (what I believe you Americans call jelly lol) if I really had some money then some fresh cream too on it lol.

What can I say some of us guys wouldn't have seen those flapjacks as anything other than an demonstration of affection and not as the "pancakes of doom" 😅😋

I call it jam. Funnily enough, I'm have a bit of jam right now on my oatmeal. There are some Americans that say jelly, but I'm not one of them.

I guess it really wasn't the quality of the pancakes. It was said that they were "the best." The problem was said to have been the quantity. I made too many

 

[Valour-dare]

I call it jam. Funnily enough, I'm have a bit of jam right now on my oatmeal. There are some Americans that say jelly, but I'm not one of them.

I guess it really wasn't the quality of the pancakes. It was said that they were "the best." The problem was said to have been the quantity. I made too many

Interesting… Must be your "country blood"? 😋 Watching Survivor the impression I always had was of all Americans calling it jelly (lol which us South African see as the wobbly desset) 🤣

I should share some pictures of some South Africa specific foods and confectioneries / desserts? I wonder if you have heard of any? 😅

Too many lol I would have indulged myself over a period of days. What funny guy 😅😁😀

 

[Lynx]

Jelly is fruit juice, something to make it thick like pectin, and usually sugar.

Jam is mashed up fruit, and usually sugar.

That wobbly dessert is jello, which uses gelatin. Nothing like jelly.

Just so's ya knows.

 

[Valour-dare]

Jelly is fruit juice, something to make it thick like pectin, and usually sugar.

Jam is mashed up fruit, and usually sugar.

That wobbly dessert is jello, which uses gelatin. Nothing like jelly.

Just so's ya knows.

Thanks for sharing it's interesting how we are both Western and yet have our differences in for a lack of a better word "culture".

So what I was referring from Survivor was particularly the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches which I assume is like peanut butter and jam, for us South Africans?

I bet you never heard of a koeksister before?

 

[CarriePie]

Interesting… Must be your "country blood"? 😋 Watching Survivor the impression I always had was of all Americans calling it jelly (lol which us South African see as the wobbly desset) 🤣

I should share some pictures of some South Africa specific foods and confectioneries / desserts? I wonder if you have heard of any? 😅

Too many lol I would have indulged myself over a period of days. What funny guy 😅😁😀

It depends on the dialect. I usually call it jam, sometimes I call it preserves (in the cooking world, there is a difference). I don't know many people who call it jelly (the stuff I call jam), but I do know of one or two people who do.

I call the wobbly stuff gelatin. I really don't use the word jelly and I rarely hear anyone else use it either.

I've made a ton of desserts in my day. My favorite to make is tiramisu mousse...which that same guy tried and didn't like lol

 

[Valour-dare]

It depends on the dialect. I usually call it jam, sometimes I call it preserves (in the cooking world, there is a difference). I don't know many people who call it jelly (the stuff I call jam), but I do know of one or two people who do.

I call the wobbly stuff gelatin. I really don't use the word jelly and I rarely hear anyone else use it either.

I've made a ton of desserts in my day. My favorite to make is tiramisu mousse...which that same guy tried and didn't like lol

Yes… differences…

It's sold in the shops in shops in South Africa as jelly 😅 not gello or jello or even gelatin.

Never tried tiramisu mousse before but I do generally like most things in particular in the confectionery / desset range. 🙂