Not really sure how delightful they were, but it was extremely interesting to get an up-close and personal look at many of the reptiles commonly seen here. Dr. Peter Tolson, director of conservation and research at the Toledo Zoo was at GTMO last week. He and some assistants searched for and caught a couple dozen specimens of reptiles, including toads, frogs, geckos, lizards, iguanas, and snakes.
The kids don't realize there are snakes and iguanas in the bags right next to their feet!
One of the several snakes that made its way around the audience.
The boa stole the show, and it was challenging to get close for a photo.
The highlight of the afternoon was the boa constrictor which apparently is fairly common here. Not long ago I did hear a woman tell about almost stepping on one at a beach recently, and believe me, whenever I am now at that same place, I am scanning every rock, nook, and cranny for snakes. We were repeatedly told by Dr. Tolson that the reptiles are almost always more afraid of us than we are of them, which was small comfort. But, after all, the reptiles were here first, and it's up to us to learn how to share the environment. I just plan on keeping to my own space and enjoying them from a distance.
6 comments:
Ah yes, reminds me of the good old days at the stables. I had a horse there (Big Black Joe)and I would see boas in the rafters of the feed barn, often with a rat or some small animal bulging at some point in their bodies. The snakes were encouraged to stay there to keep the rat population out of the horse feed.
Just out of curiosity -- where were the stables? Were they located close to the racetrack at Phillips Park? I was just wondering about the logistics.
Apparently now the boas mostly hang out at the plant nursery here -- I just talked to a lady yesterday who volunteers there and she indicated about five different boas have been counted there. I think I will really watch my step when I go there now!
I'm searching my brain trying to recall the layout of GTMO. I do not remember the racetrack but I do remember a big ball field where we played ball on horse back. If you are heading toward the hospital from the NEX on the main road, (is it Sherman?)there was a BOQ on the left and directly across from there was the road up to the stables. It seems strange that I cannot quite visualize how far that was or exact location. However I would think that the site of the stables would be a wonderful plant nursery. I think I am mixing GTMO with the PI in my pea brain.
My son Tad wrote these GTMO memories in his "Facebook 25 ramdom things about myself" I thought it may give you a laugh. I'm assuming that Smokey Joe no longer fogs the area.
6. In 1967 or so we lived in Guantanamo Bay where we kids gleefully chased behind “Smokey Joe”, a jeep that belched out a white mist as it plied the mosquito infested streets of the Navy base. Few recognize the recreational features of DDT.
7. Without the knowledge of our parents, I sailed off into Guantanamo Bay in a homemade boat with two other small children. As there were only two sticks to paddle with, my job was to bail with a Dixie cup. I had to work the hardest. When we were only a few dozen feet from shore, my mother spotted us and sweetly called us back -- we returned to receive terrible wrath and much longer lives.
Those are hilarious!! No, we haven't seen Smokey Joe yet, but I will keep a lookout for him. Loved hearing the memories == thanks for posting them.
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