There is something to be said for our frigid winters. It keeps the more exotic wildlife at bay and the few undesirables that we do have are kept down to a reasonable number. So far, anyway. As climate change occurs, that balance may go by the wayside.
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One of Senator McCain’s favorite whipping boys when he talks about “Pork” is the appropriation that Senator Inouye always manages to get into defense bills for the prevention of the brown tree snake’s entry into Hawaii. McCain is a fool. That snake has killed something like 9 of 11 native bird species on Guam (Google it), and we all live in fear of it getting here, so the $1M is cheap enough to continue trying to keep our already-endangered birds safe.
Huh. So has Senator McCain voted for the opened ended funding of Haliburton pork in Iraq? Why yes, I believe he has. With nary a whimper. Not even $8 billion in unaccounted for (lost) money noticeably raises his blood pressure. In contrast, $1M is a piddling amount for him to get worked up about—for a program that actually has measurable results.
McCain takes his cheap shots with the best of ‘em.
Arizona has one of the worst records for environmental carnage in the country (Black Mesa). I’ll bet McCain has received some nice campaign contributions from Peabody Coal in the past to ensure that the carnage continues. Environmental responsibility and wildlife preservation aren’t his strong suit.
Reminds me of my 6 1/2ft red-tail boa I had many years ago. Raised her from a very young snake. At 6 1/2ft she eat “jumbo” rats (largest you could find in pet stores that catered to reptiles), could eat good side rabbits as well probably (though I hate rats so that was her diet, I like rabbits ;). Powerful creatures! Beyond 6ft you need two people dedicated to working with a snake like that, so I passed her on to friends that liked snakes.
Hi Nevin! 
You’re a braver person than I. Snakes are cool and I like ‘em, but I don’t think I could feed a live animal to a pet snake. I had a hard enough time feeding live goldfish to my Oscar. I know the critters have to eat and all, but that’s where my squeamishness factor kicks into high gear.
I’ve always wondered, though, and never asked...do pet snakes recognize their owners? Did your boa ever show any kind of fondness/affection?
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I didn’t follow that link in his comments when I ran across it; little did I know I’d find it here!
Remember your Swiss Family Robinson? I think it was a mule that was eaten by a python in that story, but…