Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Boys and girls

Here I am.






This is my sister Bethany, and she is looking usually.






And this is Elinor as again looking usually.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Ratttlesnake

The Rattlesnake

The Rattlesnake comes in 16 distinct varieties, all positively identified by the jointed rattles on the tail. Most rattlesnakes, when disturbed, normally try to withdraw. But if they think they are cornered, the explosive sizzling buzz of their rattles is an unmistakable warning to retreat.

Venomous Snakes

Throughout the World there are many snakes whose venomous bite can be fatal to humans. In the United States, however, there are only four including; the Coral Snake, the Copperhead, the Cottonmouth Water Moccasin and the Rattlesnake.

Rattlesnake Description & Identification

Rattlesnakes come in 16 distinct varieties. There are numerous subspecies and color variations, but they are all positively identified by the jointed rattles on the tail and a triangular head.

Rattlesnakes, copperheads and cottonmouths are all pit vipers. Pit Vipers are snakes with two pits under their nostrils to detect heat, thus enabling the rattlesnake to hunt warm-blooded prey. The pits are so sensitive that the snake can determine the size of the warm-blooded animal and can even detect prey in complete darkness.

There are many species of rattlesnake and each can be identified by the variation of the pattern and color of their skin. Colors can range from shades of brown, gray and black, tones of yellow, cream, rust, olive, and light pink. A rattlesnake’s skin may contain a pattern that is banded, diamond shaped, or blotched. Some species of rattlesnake have no identifying pattern at all.

Rattlesnakes have a forked tongue that they flick up and down. The tongue picks microscopic airborne particles and gases from the air. When the tongue slips back into it's mouth it touches a sensitive spot on the roof of their mouth called the Jacobson's organ. This organ picks up the particles collected by the tongue and sends messages to the snakes brain identifying the scent as food, enemy, mate or other object or substance. Rattlesnakes also have external nostrils lined with olfactory cells which can pick up scent. The nostrils are mainly used for breathing.

The fork of the tongue is a directional aide. It can provide information based on which side or fork in the tongue has the strongest presence of a particular odor. This information helps the rattlesnake follow its prey or find it's way home.

Rattlesnakes pick up vibrations through their body muscles which send sound through to their jaw bones and on to their inside ear parts. Rattlesnakes do not have outer ears and therefore rely on vibrations to pick up sound.

A snakes vision can detect objects or movement from about 40 feet away, but their vision is sharper when objects are closer. A rattlesnake's pupils are elliptical, not round which enables the snake to see well in dim light. This is helpful for night hunting.

Rattlesnakes have the following physical characteristics:

* Broad, "triangular" head
* Eyes have verticle "cat-like" pupils
* Covered in scales that are a varitey of colors/patterns
* Scales are keeled with a raised ridge in the center of each
* Body is heavy or thick (or fat) in appearance
* Large tubular fangs in mouth that fold out when the mouth opens
* The mouth is like a hinge, opening 180 degrees
* Blunt tail with jointed rattle (Note: baby rattlesnakes don't have rattles and some adult snakes may break or lose their rattles)
* Typically rattlesnakes range from 3' to 4' in length

In ideal habitats where there is a constant, abundant supply of small rodents, the rattlesnake sometimes attains a length of 5 feet, but the average adult size is between 3 and 4 feet.
Range

While most of the rattlers are concentrated in the southwestern United States, they extend north, east and south in diminishing numbers and varieties. Every contiguous state has one or more varieties of rattlesnake.

The rattlesnake is found in many different biomes ranging from along the coast at sea level, the inland prairies and desert areas to the mountains at elevations of more than 10,000 feet.

Behavior

In the northern areas of their range and at higher elevations, snakes congregate in the Fall at crevices in rocky ledges to hibernate for the winter, returning to these places annually. These spots are known as snake dens.

When temperatures begin to warm in April, snakes come out of hibernation. They remain near the den entrance for a few days, sunning themselves, then make their way to where they will spend the summer. They rarely go more than a mile from their dens.

Most snakes are secretive in their summer activities, hunting at night and remaining inactive and out of sight for days at a time during the digestive period after eating a squirrel or small rabbit. Consequently, more snakes are seen in the Spring and Fall migrations to and from their winter homes.

Rattlesnakes are cold-blooded (Ectothermic) and they rely on external sources to regulate their body temperature. When rattlesnakes are too hot they retreat into the shade or into a burrow. When a rattlesnake is too cold they sun themselves or find a surface, such as a paved road, to absorb the heat from the asphalt. It is common to find snakes on the road in the evening hours as they attempt to warm their bodies by lying on asphalt or concrete pave areas.

Life Cycle

While some types of snakes lay eggs, rattlesnakes give live birth. The rattlesnake, however, does have eggs, but the eggs are carried inside the females body. Once the eggs are fertilized they are carried for approximately 90 days. The eggs hatch inside the rattler's body and then she gives live birth to her young. A reproduction system of this type is called ovoviviparous. The female rattler may contain from 4 to 25 eggs, from which an average of 9 or 10 hearty young are born live.

Mating usually occurs in the Spring after emerging from hybernation, but can also occur in the Fall. Rattlesnakes reach sexually maturity at 3 years of age. A female rattlesnake reproduces every two years and

During the process of mating the female rattlesnakes are passive while the male crawls on top of the female. By making jerking motions with the hind portion of his body he is able to press his tail beneath the female's tail. The male continuously flicks his toungue throughout the mating process which can continue for several hours or more.

The young are born between August and October. The newborn rattlesnake is about 10 inches long and has a small horny button on the tip of its tail. Rattler babies have venom, short fangs and are dangerous from birth. In fact, they are more pugnacious than the adults. Although unable to make a rattling sound, the youngsters throw themselves into a defensive pose and strike repeatedly when disturbed.


Young rattlers are completely independent of the mother. They remain in the area of their birth for the first 7 to 10 days, until they shed their first baby skin and add their first rattle. The litter will begin to disperse as they venture out in search of food. Many newborn rattlesnakes do not survive their first year, either dying of hunger or being eaten by birds and animals. Even if they survive the first summer, they may perish during the first winter, if they can't find a suitable warm crevice in which to hibernate.

If all goes well, youngsters grow rapidly. Each time they come out of hibernation, they shed their skin. With each skin shedding (molting) a new rattle appears. During the rapid growth of the first few years, they may molt three times annually. Thus, the number of rattles is not a true indicator of age. Rattles also wear out or break off, so it is unusual to find an adult snake with more than 8 or 10 rattles.

Lifespan

The average lifespan of a rattlesnake is 20 to 30 years in captivity. In the wild, the lifespan is less due to predation, disease or death by accident.

Predators

The King snake is well known for being immune to the venom of many pit vipers, including rattlesnakes. Rattlesnakes are part of the King snakes diet. Roadrunners, pigs, Hawks, Eagles and Humans are also predators to the rattlesnake.

Diet

Rattlesnakes are carnivorous. Instead of chewing their food, they swallow it whole. The size of the prey a rattlesnake selects is limited by its own ability to eat it based on it's own size. Rattlesnakes eat lizards and small rodents such as ground squirrels, small rabbits, rats and mice, striking rather than attempting to hold their prey.

The rattlesnake first bites it's prey to immobilize it with a toxic venom. When the hollow fangs of the rattler penetrate the victim's flesh, venom is injected as though through twin hypodermic needles. Most small prey is immediately stunned. The venom stuns and immobilizes the prey, allowing time for the rattler to swallow the victim whole. The venom also begins the digestive process
as it breaks down the tissue of the prey.

Rattlesnakes have a highly-efficient digestive system which takes a lot of metabolic energy. After a rattlesnake swallows it's prey, they normally hide out while they digest their meal. Rattlesnakes become sluggish while digesting, a process that can take several days depending on the size of the meal. * Approximately 7,000 - 8,000 people a year receive venomous snakebites in the U.S. and about 5 of those people die. (FDA)
* 25% of adult rattlesnake bites are dry, with no venom injected. (Brown, 1997)
* Rattlesnakes can strike a distance roughly two-thirds their own length
* Rattlesnakes are deaf and feel vibrations to detect prey or nearby danger
* The most dangerous species of rattlesnake in the U.S. is the Mojave Rattlesnake
* The least toxic rattlesnake is the Sidewinder.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Bull snake

Bullsnake

Pituophis catenifer sayi


The Bullsnake, a subspecies of the Gopher Snake, is quite the actor, putting on an impressive impersonation of a rattlesnake when threatened. It flattens its head, puffs up its body, shakes its tail, hisses loudly, and strikes repeatedly. There are many subspecies of Gopher Snakes, and they vary considerably in color and pattern. They eat lots of rats and mice. In winter, they may share their dens with rattlesnakes, racers, whipsnakes, and garter snakes.


Look For : A large, robust snake with a relatively small head and a somewhat pointed snout. Dark bar from eye to corner of the mouth. Scales are keeled.

Length : 36-100".

Habitat : Pine barrens, sandhills (east), grasslands (midwest), brushlands, farms, open woodlands (west).

Range : From Montana to southern Minnesota in the north through the Great Plains to central Texas

Western hognose snake

This snake is primarily active during morning and late afternoon hours. It burrows into loose soil to escape hot or cold conditions. Its sense of smell enables it to find buried toads, lizards, snakes, and reptile eggs; it also eats birds and small rodents. Did You Know?

Western Hognose Snakes use their shovel-like snout to dig frogs and toads from their burrows. They locate their prey by smell.

When threatened, toads usually inflate their bodies with air, making themselves look larger. Hognose Snakes have enlarged rear teeth adapted for puncturing a toad after it inflates.

Their rear teeth can deliver a very mild venom. The venom is harmless to most people, so the Western Hognose Snake is still considered a non-venomous snake.

· Western Hognose Snakes rarely bite in defense. They may strike at an intruder, but only as a bluff with their mouth closed. They perform a defensive display by hissing and flattening out the neck, giving the impression of a cobra.

· If they cannot frighten off an intruder, they will throw up their last meal and roll over on their back, playing dead for up to 5 minutes.


Look For : A snake with a turned-up snout. Belly and underside of tail mostly black.

Length : 15-39".

Habitat : Sandy dry prairies.

Range : Southeastern Alberta and southwestern Manitoba to southeastern Arizona and Texas, scattered populations eastward.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

The garter snake

The garter snake of north America is a very common snake. They grow to 3 feet and emit a foul smelling liquid as a defense for predators. They eat fish,bugs,mice, and frogs. They almost always live near water. The smaller snake in my hand in the picture below is a garter snake.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Got snake questions that need anwsers


Got snake questions that need answers? Well, you can get your answers here at my blog. Just comment on one of my earlier posts I check them daily or email me at clarkafox@gmail.com for your snake answers you can ask me any thing about them what kind they are are how big a tank for them what to put in there tank for them what to feed him how to feed him. I only 10 years old but Ive taken care of reptiles all my life since I was three years old. I love reptiles and I am great at taking care of them.



Got questions about snakes

ALL YOUR ANSWERS HERE

Sunday, November 22, 2009

The man of the reptiles

I love reptiles. They're my life; they're my future becase when I grow up I want to catch them and study them. Right now I have a 3 and a1/2 foot long bull snake and a foot long garter snake. The bull snake's name is Legde. The garter snake's name is ?????. I don't know, I'll think of one. I have had so many different kinds of reptiles I can't remember them all but I'll try here I go. SN= snake Tu= turtle or tortoise and LI= lizard. 1 bull SN, 1 iguana LI, 2 russian TU, 1 gecko LI. 5 or 6 green anole LI, 25 garter SN, 1 tree frog I know it is not a reptile but hey its green and people consider it a reptile. 1 water dragon LI . And that's all I can remember, so please don't laugh or scream when I come out a door holding a giant snake or critter.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Ledge eating a mouse

This is Ledge eating a mouse that we got at a pet store.


video


Also, I caught a garter snake and he eats slugs and minnows.

Monday, November 2, 2009

The Finale Part of The Glass Doll

Here is the last part of the glass doll


That day they had the funeral for the boy. Every one was very sad. That evening the the girl smashed the glass doll again and put it in the trash can. The next week the dad and the girl moved to another state. The family lived in Oregon and they they moved to Utah. Okay, back to the story. So they moved into a nice quiet house and lived happy for a day. The next day the dad and the girl where working in the garden when the girl said, "I hated that glass doll," and went in and went to bed. The next morning the girl and the dad where working in the garden when they heard a voice. "I am in your state. I am in your city. " I am in your neighborhood. Then the dad said to the girl run to your room and lock the door I will stay here and fight with the garden hoe. "O.K.," said the girl. Then she ran to her room and locked the door and than she ran to her bed and hid under the covers. Than she heard "I am at your house. I am in your backyard." Then she heard her dad scream in pain. The girl was so scared. "I am in the house. I am on the stairs. I am at the door." Then the girl remembered she hadn't locked the door all the way. CRRREEEAAAKKK. The door opened. "I am at the bed. I am at the bed".

The family was never heard from again




THE END

Thursday, October 29, 2009

The glass doll continued

The glass doll continued


That day they had the funeral for the mom. Every one was very sad. That evening the the girl smashed the glass doll and put in the trash can. That same evening the brother said to the sister that's a really ugly glass doll that you had. then the girl ran to her room and cried. That that night the brother heard a voice. "I am at the door," CRRREEEAAAKKK. The door opened. "I am at the bed I am the bed". Then the boy saw the the glass doll.It was all cracked up but glued together. And the doll had a rope in her hand. The next morning the girl went into the brothers room to say good morning but the boy was not in his bed.Then she looked in his closet and screamed. the boy was hanging by his neck dead. And the glass doll was in the closet holding the rope.



TO BE CONTINUED

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Hallowen


It's Halloween time. I take this time very seriously with decorations. It's my favorite holiday. Here's a picture of our family in our costumes. Here is my spooky story for this year.


The Glass Doll


Once upon a time there was a family. In the family there was a mom, dad, brother and sister. One day the girl wanted a glass doll so the mom got her one. The girl was so happy. That night the mom heard a voice. "I am at the door," CRRREEEAAAKKK. The door opened. "I am at the bed I am the bed". Then the mom saw the glass doll with a kitchen knife. The next morning the girl went into the moms room and screamed. The mom was cut into a million pieces and the glass doll was siting on the bed with a bloody knife

TO BE CONTINUED...

Sunday, August 16, 2009

The bull snake

I caught a bull snake. His name is Ledge. Four days ago he ate a mouse while I was at pack meeting. So he is staying as a pet. He is two years old and he can live to be twenty years old. He is three feet long. He eats on Monday nights. Come by and see him.


















Friday, May 1, 2009

rafting the canal





Well I like building stuff so one day I came up with the idea of building a raft so I did. I duck taped empty milk jugs filled with air under it. It sure looked good. It float its self but not with me on it sadly.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Back to normal

Man it is good to be back to normal and to have stuff to do: school, piano, jobs, and cousins leaving. Its good.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

The zoo and sea world

This is us at Sea
World and San Diego zoo in California. Here we have some pictures of the animals.

















Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Lego land



This is our trip to Lego land. We all went to California. We drove there. Lego land is fun. Faith is driving a little lego car. She's so cute. They made lego people out of tiny lego pieces. They were cool. They also had alot of fun rides. I realy liked it. But it's good to be home.


Monday, January 12, 2009

The hill of death

It is the hill of death. Na its just a fun hill. we've got hurt on.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

New year




For Christmas my family got a Wii and a lot of games. Rayman raving rabbids 2, out door challenge, Wii play, and Wii sports, and our aunt and uncle brought us rockband. We love it. For new year we invited the Johansens over. We played a lot of Wii and other games. We all stayed up till mid night. We ate chips and m and ms and little hot dogs. It was fun.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Fritz

This my pet Fritz. Hes a baby green iguana.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Uh-oh its a mistletoe

Ahhhhhhhh its a mistletoe run. This are my friends david and josh.