Remembering Garren (Garren Evans - April 15, 1971 - August 9, 2008), originally uploaded by EcoSnake.

Garren was a gentle, caring guy who loved nature and wildlife. He did so much to help me and the animals and the educational programs and EcoSnake. He died on August 9, 2008. His memory lives in all the lives he touched…

Posted by Frank - August 12, 2010.

Idaho authorities rattled by snakes in apartment

 - The Associated Press  July 17, 2010

A southern Idaho man who authorities say had 25 Western rattlesnakes in his apartment at the Sunset Motel in Malta has been issued two misdemeanor citations by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Thirty-eight-year-old Terry Brian Teeter received the citations in May that list possession, transport or shipment of wildlife.

Officials say Teeter had as many as 32 snakes but he gave some away and cooked and ate two others.

Teeter says he was unaware a license is needed to hunt rattlesnakes in Idaho, and that there is a limit of four rattlers a year.

Teeter tells The Times-News that authorities confiscated the rattlesnakes and released them, but the next day he and a friend found the snakes and killed them.

Teeter has a sentencing scheduled on Friday in 5th District Court on a possible plea agreement.

Posted by Frank - July 18, 2010

"Little Guy" says,, originally uploaded by EcoSnake.

“Please help keep me and other Idaho Great Basin rattlesnakes safe! All we ask is to be left alone so we can live our lives in private and help you by consuming destructive rodents!”

Idaho Fish and Game has changed the rules pertaining to rattlesnakes.
Until last week native rattlesnakes were classified as “protected non-game wildlife,” meaning as with all other native amphibians and reptiles, among other things, they could not be killed.

Now the rule reads: ” Allow collection (read “killed” comment added by Frank) and sale of up to six rattlesnakes a year; a hunting license is required and only four snakes may be in possession at any time. ” Idaho has taken a giant leap backward. The potential harm to rattlesnakes and their ecosystems is scary, and once again, Idaho will rank in the bottom among the states for protection of wildlife.

“Little Guy” is a Great Basin (Western) rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus lutosus). Photo by Frank

Posted by Frank - July 12, 2010

Black pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi), originally uploaded by EcoSnake.

Black pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi)

“Beepers” was hatched in captivity in the Seattle area probably in 1992. Black pine snakes are native to the Southeastern United States along the Gulf of Mexico coast. Hopefully they won’t be affected by the encroaching oil spill (understatement). They are considered threatened and endangered in several states because of destruction of habitat.

Posted by Frank - May 20, 2010

Freedom, originally uploaded by EcoSnake.

Springtime Freedom

for the garter snakes rescued last January from a basement. They have been hibernating in quarrantine conditions since then. Todaly they were released in an area within their home range. Western wandering terrestrial garter snakes (Thamnophis elegans vagrans).

Posted by Frank - April 24, 2010

"Lucky" A Memorial - Say No to Rattlesnake Roundups - A Message for Earth Day 2010, originally uploaded by EcoSnake.

“Lucky” A Memorial - Say No to Rattlesnake Roundups - A Message for Earth Day 2010

I’m reposting this picture of “Lucky” from 2004 and originally posted in 2006 along with the original 2007 description. A profound message for all of us celebrating Earth Day is that we must end barbarities like rattlesnake roundups. Here’s the 2007 description for this picture:

Lucky’s” photograph was the first EcoSnake posted on Flickr (July 6, 2006). “Lucky” was a Great Basin rattlesnake, native of Idaho (Crotalus oreganus lutosus). I’m re-posting it to protest the rattlesnake roundups which happen in Texas and several other states every Spring. In a Texas roundup ome 7000 rattlesnakes will be slaughtered for no other reason than money and “entertainment.” The snakes are forced out of their dens by humans spraying gas into the ground, a practice which, most likely, kills other animals sharing the dens. The snakes are then dumped in containers and kept for months without food and water. Then at the “festival” they are taken out, measured and beheaded. There’s a problem here: Snakes’ metabolism is much slower than humans’. When a snake is beheaded, the head will live for some time after….But apart from these thoughts, why do we need to commit this barbarity on our fellow living beings? The rattlesnakes only want to be left alone to live their lives. They want to regulate their body temperatures, have shelter, food and water, and mate and have privacy - amazing - not too much different from us - the rattlesnakes consume huge quantities of rodents which, if left unchecked, destroy crops and spread disease - to humans. “Lucky” died last year but he died of old age….He was “Lucky” Photo by Garren (Garren Evans, April 15, 1971 - August 9, 2008.

"Rattlesnake Awareness and Outdoor Safety", originally uploaded by EcoSnake.

“Rattlesnake Awareness and Outdoor Safety”

Sunday, April 18, 2010, 1:00 pm at the Nature Center auditorium in Boise. Admission $5.00 per person age 3 and above. The EcoSnake Team will have live native and exotic snakes and discuss identification and behavior of the reptiles.

Giant Lizard Discovery a “Surprise”

A Varanus bitatawa lizard on its home island of Luzon in the Philippines.

 It has a double penis, lives on a crowded island, and is as long as a man. So how did Varanus bitatawa go unidentified till now?

Posted by Frank - April 8, 2010

"Little Guy" is safe for a while,, originally uploaded by EcoSnake.

“Little Guy” is safe for a while,

as Idaho’s native amphibians and reptiles remain “protected species” for the immediate future… There are some challenges ahead though and he hopes for continued support. He will keep his friends informed during the next few months about the status of amphibians and reptiles in Idaho. “Little Guy” is a “Great Basin (western) rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus lutosus). Photo by Frank

Posted by Frank - February 24, 2010

“Little Guy” says, “Please keep me safe!”, originally uploaded by EcoSnake.

“Little Guy” says, “Please keep me safe!”

He’s concerned about a proposal in the Idaho Legislature to remove “protected”  status for Idaho’s native amphibians and reptiles.  Apparently some legislators object to rattlesnakes being “protected.” Everyone who cares about the conservation of Idaho’s wildlife should monitor this issue closely!  Great Basin (Western) rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus lutosus). Photo by Frank

Posted by Frank - February 20, 2010