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herpetologic2
Forum Coordinator Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1511 |
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No not really Gemma - those adders were visited once by four people who wanted to take some photos -no adders were captured though some did move away from our attention - of course this was one event of disturbance that has occurred over the last year so it would be considered a low impact on the adders... if you read what I said you will see that I was advising Mark on how to survey the adders with 'minimum disturbance' in mind. I only capture animals when I need to - either when recording data from the animals or when I am being paid to move the animals out of the way of development as part of my work. At the Essex reserve we are not allowed to touch the adders hence the 'make the adder' protocols are fine in this situation - I wasnt saying you must not disturb the adders - I personally feel that the disturbance from field surveyors is insignificant in the grand scheme of things. As you know I am trying to win over the management team for that reserve which is a very very hard task - Lin was interested to see the adders and the other people in the party had found the adders before I arrived - a possible problem which you have identified - You know that we are all black marked by the movers and shakers in the EWT hence the small disturbance for that field trip which I hope we can get what we want in the end (your counts would be very helpful in this cause by the way) It is down to weighing up what you want out of studying the animals and how best to do this. As Mark was concerned over the disturbance from his survey I was suggesting ways of doing this also I was highlighting the difference in disturbance from say a herp field ecologist and say a dog walker - both are at the 'site' with different motives and so I would imagine have different affects on adders and their basking behaivour So I do not believe that I was implying 'do as I say not what I do' The study sites that I have where I capture animals are often where I am monitoring the population as a result of a mitigation project. Very few of these sites are reserves and other places - I normally stick to counts on these sites. If I do need to collect animals for data I follow what Tony does on his sites alternate between sites for capturing thus reducing my impact on the populations I am studying. Of course it is up to Mark to decide what is best for his situation..... I was just making suggestions for him to consider..... JC
Edited by herpetologic2 |
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Admin Group Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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Deano
Senior Member Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 133 |
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Hi All Just an aside. Gemma you mentioned smokers. A vet who specialises in exotic animals told me that one of the most toxic substances to snakes was nicotine and he advised smokers to always wash their hands thoroughly before handling snakes. Something to think about........ |
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Deano
Better to be lucky than good looking. |
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administrator
Admin Group Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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Hi Deano, I should give up for a thousand reasons, and that sounds like another good one for the list. I wouldn't underestimate it either, I have heard of cases of exotics dying in cars - the cause was thought to be pine air freshners, they can be that sensitive. |
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Deano
Senior Member Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 133 |
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'Pine Air Freshners!' Uurgh, I can't stand the smell of them either....perhaps I am part serpent. Well Gemma best of luck with the quiting. When I was a lad and I wanted my first REAL guitar, I realized if I didn't smoke I could save enough to pay for that goldtop Gibson Les Paul in the shop window. And I did. So unless you have money to burn...give up. You won't regret it. p.s. Unfortunately though, I still sound like Howling Wolf (old blues singer) when I sing. |
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Deano
Better to be lucky than good looking. |
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