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camped this week at a state park

izora Aug 05, 2007 02:19 AM

I couldn't believe it when I walked into the nature center and seen live snakes. Live snakes wasn't to out of the norm, but they had a black rat, a water snake, a milk snake and a copperhead. Every single one of their enclosures were small and dirty. The ratsnakes water had feces in it, all of them had some sort of feces at least in two piles in the cage. I couldn't find any one person there to care for them. I went on a hike, came back an hour later, there were three rangers there, I went to the restroom and when I came back out. I found they had fed the copperhead. Only problem was, nobody was actually in the building they were all outside chatting and the live mice were in the enclosure with the copper. The copper wasn't in the last bit interested and was in the same place he was when I left. The rats water bowl was actually filled and still had the feces in it!
I was so ticked off, here the government tells us we must regulate this and that with our hobby, but they can blatantly ignore the very same needs they cover in legislation. Made me so very angry to see these animals living like this. The milk had very baggy skin and it was dry and looked as if his scales were lifting away from his body like an eyelash vipers scales lift. I was so angry, say something to the ranger in charge and her response was...I don't take care of the snakes and the person who does isn't here today.

Grrrrr Sorry I had to rant.

Replies (8)

draybar Aug 05, 2007 06:07 AM

>>I couldn't believe it when I walked into the nature center and seen live snakes. Live snakes wasn't to out of the norm, but they had a black rat, a water snake, a milk snake and a copperhead. Every single one of their enclosures were small and dirty. The ratsnakes water had feces in it, all of them had some sort of feces at least in two piles in the cage. I couldn't find any one person there to care for them. I went on a hike, came back an hour later, there were three rangers there, I went to the restroom and when I came back out. I found they had fed the copperhead. Only problem was, nobody was actually in the building they were all outside chatting and the live mice were in the enclosure with the copper. The copper wasn't in the last bit interested and was in the same place he was when I left. The rats water bowl was actually filled and still had the feces in it!
>>I was so ticked off, here the government tells us we must regulate this and that with our hobby, but they can blatantly ignore the very same needs they cover in legislation. Made me so very angry to see these animals living like this. The milk had very baggy skin and it was dry and looked as if his scales were lifting away from his body like an eyelash vipers scales lift. I was so angry, say something to the ranger in charge and her response was...I don't take care of the snakes and the person who does isn't here today.
>>
>>Grrrrr Sorry I had to rant.

where was this?
It sounds a lot like Reflection Riding at the base of Lookout Mountain in Tennessee
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

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jyohe Aug 05, 2007 01:32 PM

the ranger said the person in charge of snakes wasn't there that weekend.......yet you said the water bowl was refilled and the copperhead had mice with it..?.meaning someone was doing some snake work........

sounds like the water bowl wasn't the only thing full of crap at the center.......

common at those types of places.......

........one at Elk Neck State Park in Md had a guy there the other year I went for a walk around the park.......the guy started talking to me about this and that....I laughed......said yea yea yea and all.......

I then told him to make sure the kids outside at the tables didn't mess with the pretty mushrooms under the tree right by them....due to them being yellow fly agarics.....I got a stare........

..........
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Railrider1920 Aug 05, 2007 01:49 PM

That really sucks. I guess the person in charge of them just looks at it like a part of their job that they just don't like.

If you go back there, play nice with the rangers. Start talking to them about how the park system works and the chain of command. Who's who and who is who's boss. When you find out who is in charge of the place, find out who is that persons boss.

Send them both a NICE letter. Explain that you know a little about snakes and their care, but don't come across like you are an expert. Tell them about the conditions in the tanks and how it's wrong. Maybe that will get something done. Or maybe you can print out some care sheets and give them to the rangers.

Maybe this would work, but then again maybe not. I bet if you got in there and started to clean out the tanks, they would probably have you arrested for molesting the animals..........
Rob
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For Sale cheap: One (1) 6' 19 yr old male. Does no house work. Has no job and will complain. Constantly.
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa-Ziggy
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0.0.1 Normal corn
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1.0 Eastern King-Ozy
1.0 Bearded Dragon - Gomer

laurarfl Aug 06, 2007 07:44 AM

You know, that really does suck (and I don't use that word loosely) and for all the reasons others have mentioned. My first thought when I read the OP was to write a letter and I would do exactly what this post stated. Even if you can't get the info from the rangers, I would write a letter to the Parks Dept of the state. Don't come across angry or like a know-it-all, just express your concerns in a respectful manner. If you write in that way, you will be taken much more seriously.

izora Aug 06, 2007 12:28 PM

I did try to explain to the girl that I thought it would be best to remove the mice, she said oh that's just how we do it, he'll take the mice when he's ready. I felt that I couldn't do anything at all for these animals. When my boyfriend tried to mention the dirty water to the other ranger he was pretty much ignored and told to enjoy the rest of the nature center. We've come to the conclusion we're not going to be able to get anything done for those animals, regardless of who we talk to. It's so sad.

izora Aug 06, 2007 12:31 PM

forgot to mention that in the other posts.

laurarfl Aug 08, 2007 07:35 AM

You know age may have something to do with it. Unfortunately, if you are a teen or very young adult, you may not be taken seriously no matter how knowledgeable you are. That's why writing a letter may be the best bet.

izora Aug 08, 2007 08:34 PM

I did write a letter, I explained the situation and thanked them for e pleasant visit, just wanted to address the situation of the animals. We've not heard back as of yet.

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