OKW - 2 snakes - first 2 hours - UPDATED 6/22

[d-r]

I keep telling my mother in law in Clemont that I will tell her a very easy way to catch the black racer that likes to come in her garage, but she won't let me tell her. I learned it from my grandma when she was in her 90s and caught one that had gotten into her bathroom. Just lay out a whole lot of scotch tape, sticky side up in long rows. The poor snake gets tangled up in it and can't get any traction to move on.

Of course if you don't bring a hoe in the house in the first place you don't have anything to worry about.

 

[JimMIA]

I keep telling my mother in law in Clemont that I will tell her a very easy way to catch the black racer that likes to come in her garage, but she won't let me tell her. I learned it from my grandma when she was in her 90s and caught one that had gotten into her bathroom. Just lay out a whole lot of scotch tape, sticky side up in long rows. The poor snake gets tangled up in it and can't get any traction to move on.

That reminds me of what I was told when I first started working at the Everglades. I asked what I should do in the unthinkable event that an alligator actually attacked someone. I was told, half-jokingly, to jump on top of the gator's shoulders, reach down with both hands, and hold its mouth shut (they have very weak muscles for opening their mouth).

My follow-up question was, "Yeah...and then what???"

Fortunately, in the 9+ years I've worked there, the situation has not come up!

 

[d-r]

Yeah, that's true. I don't remember the numbers but the force they have to open their mouths is WAY less than the force they have to close them. You have enough strength to keep their mouth closed. But not enough to keep them from closing it once it is open.

Not that way with crocodiles I've been told.

 

[d-r]

My follow-up question was, "Yeah...and then what???"

Duct tape.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Duct tape.

From the DVC member book "102 Uses for Duct Tape".

 

[treeface]

We were at AK on 5/24 outside RFC and some guy had a small snake crawling on his arm, my son was fascinated, I was not so amused. Then on 5/28, we were in our room at SSR in Congress Park and looked out our 2nd floor window and there was a black snake curled up under the well manicured shrubs. The grounds crew came by (someone probably reported it), said it was safe and moved on, leaving the snake alone. He was there for several hours, although he did move around some, was gone the next morning.

We also saw a gator swimming in the pond across from the entrance to Pop, while we were on the ME bus at a red light. I was somewhat surprised as I had never seen one on the property before in 25+ trips, but that was while they were still having all the heavy rain also (Memorial Day Wkd) so I was looking more closely than usual.

I just accept that they are part of the natural wildlife in FL and we have invaded their homes for our enjoyment so their presence is not entirely unexpected. I love the little lizards that flit about, the snakes are OK as long as they don't crawl over me and I will keep my distance from the gators to enjoy my visits to the World.

 

[JimMIA]

I love the little lizards that flit about, the snakes are OK as long as they don't crawl over me and I will keep my distance from the gators to enjoy my visits to the World.

That's a good attitude to have. Bees, wasps, and poisonous plants are much more of a problem than snakes.

Alligators wouldn't bother you in the wild, but at a place like Disney World a whole army of morons have undoubtedly fed them and that makes them aggressive toward humans. I would stay at least 15-20 feet away from any alligator you see at WDW...probably a little further than that. They are much faster than you are.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Do the little lizzards that flit about have a name? Some of them have an orange flap under their mouth, throat area. Are there more than one kind?

Bobbi

 

[d-r]

anole - like this?

 

[JimMIA]

Actually, I think there are a lot of lizard species who do that dewflap thing. I'm not sure if they are trying to attract mates or prey. We have green anoles in our yard, but we also have several other species who exhibit the same behavior.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Jim, by golly! You should have your own Florida wilderness information show. You're very interesting and informative!

Jim did you see in the news, we have our very own Florida black bear in Wellington just around the corner from where I live! He's been sighted 3 times (not personally), they're trying to catch it so they can release it away from people.

 

[Chuck S]

Seriously, the landscaping at this bldg. is atrocious. There are weeds growing 2-3 feet out of the hedges and the palms are seriously encroaching on the balcony. The front desk has told me that 'horticulture' will take care of it two days in a row now.

Remember that Florida just came out of some very heavy rains a couple of weeks ago, and weeds will grow up quickly. As far as the palms, when we were at OKW the first part of June, they had a contracted tree service busily going from building to building pruning the palms, including along the Peninsular Road between the road and Trumbo canal. It will take them a while to catch up after those heavy downpours.

 

[JimMIA]

Jim, by golly! You should have your own Florida wilderness information show. You're very interesting and informative!

Jim did you see in the news, we have our very own Florida black bear in Wellington just around the corner from where I live! He's been sighted 3 times (not personally), they're trying to catch it so they can release it away from people.

I saw the story about the bear around Weston -- they trapped that one and relocated it to Collier County, I think. Do you have another one?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

When I read the title I thought perhaps you saw two politicians at the pool.

MG

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I saw the story about the bear around Weston -- they trapped that one and relocated it to Collier County, I think. Do you have another one?

Yup, in Wellington, it's been sighted by Palms West Hospital and the Binks Forest golf course.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

When I read the title I thought perhaps you saw two politicians at the pool.

MG

Probably Palm Beach County Commissioners! one by one off they go to jail maybe by way of Disney!

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

Remember that Florida just came out of some very heavy rains a couple of weeks ago, and weeds will grow up quickly. As far as the palms, when we were at OKW the first part of June, they had a contracted tree service busily going from building to building pruning the palms, including along the Peninsular Road between the road and Trumbo canal. It will take them a while to catch up after those heavy downpours.

They were 'trimming' EVERYTHING in the center of the 'road' yesterday but still haven't hit the walkway yet.

 

[lisah0711]

After reading this thread I am glad that we go to WDW in December and January. Hopefully, it is cold enough that all the critters are dormant or at least slow. And, JimMIA, if they are not, please break the news to us gently.

 

[bobbiwoz]

anole - like this?

Yes, thank you...anole, I did used to think they were cameleons.

Bobbi

 

[JimMIA]

Jim did you see in the news, we have our very own Florida black bear in Wellington just around the corner from where I live! He's been sighted 3 times (not personally), they're trying to catch it so they can release it away from people.

That's the SAME BEAR who was caught a month ago in Weston!!! They caught him yesterday, and checked his eartag and it's the same darn bear!

They had captured this bear a month ago and relocated him all the way across the state in Collier County. He came back, across the entire Everglades, in about 2-3 weeks. He ended up 30 miles or so North of where he was a month ago. This time, they are going to relocate him to the FL-GA border area.