Edward Piercy

Yo Mamba!

Tuesday, 10. November 2009, 19:01:12

I was watching this show the other night on PBS
about this woman who travels around Swaziland
hunting African black mambas, where they seem
to be a real problem.

The black mamba is the second largest venomous
snake in the world, averaging about 8 feet in
length. Unlike most snakes it is highly aggressive
and will strike without provocation, delivering
100-120 mg of deadly venom -- enough to kill a
human 10 times over.

Note To Self: Cross Swaziland off the vacation list.

I.Q. vs S.Q.For Veterans Day

Comments

Linda # 10. November 2009, 19:05

Both the black and green Mambas are deadly. I don't want to meet one. At least most of our venomous snakes here are polite enough to warn us before striking!

Darko # 10. November 2009, 19:17

It looks nice, but most of them do. I will have to take care not to end up in Swazilend by chance

Edward Piercy # 10. November 2009, 19:33

You know I had to revise my original post. It turns out that Mamba venom is something like 8 or whatever. And that the most deadly snakes are sea snakes.

@Linda

Yeah, the rattlers are very polite. And they're lazy. "Big human thing? No thanks, I think I'll finish my nap."

@ Darko

"Due to circumstances beyond our control, flight number 2938 to Tokyo has been rerouted to land in Swaziland. We're sorry for the inconvenience."

Edward Piercy # 10. November 2009, 19:55

NOTE:

I notice that the tourism industry in Swaziland does not list Snake Watching in it's list of activities.

You know it really does look like a beautiful place. Too bad about those damn snakes.

Darko # 10. November 2009, 20:07

PainterWoman # 10. November 2009, 20:43

This is one of the reasons I decided not to go on an African Safari. That and mosquitoes.

Edward Piercy # 10. November 2009, 20:54

@ Darko.

Sorry to freak you!

@ Pam.

If we tossed out all the countries without mosquitoes and without snakes, I wonder how many countries there would be left to visit?

Let's see if we can ask priceline.com and William Shatner about that.

PainterWoman # 10. November 2009, 21:00

Or I'll just start carrying around several cans of "Off".

Martin K # 10. November 2009, 21:22

I hate snakes. Good thing I live in a country with no snakes what so ever apart from unvenomous adders of only a foots length or the occasional escaped pet snake. Read a story about one of those at large in a subway train last year. It was domesticated and supposed to be friendly, but even so...

Edward Piercy # 10. November 2009, 21:27

@ Pam.

You know there are only mosquitos here in Spokane if you go down by the river or a lake. Otherwise, don't have to have the OFF.

@ Martin.

When I was on this archaeological dig a few years back they fed us snake one night that they had secretly caught and cooked up with noodles.

It doesn't taste like chicken.

No way.

Stardancer # 11. November 2009, 00:56

I don't like snakes.

Creepy, crawly thangs oughta be outlawed.

Edward Piercy # 11. November 2009, 01:14

Star I saved this back just for you...

Open me!

Edward Piercy # 11. November 2009, 01:24

And now that I think about it I don't know how this post could be complete without Bewee's tribute to crazed snakes.

Stardancer # 11. November 2009, 02:10

Gee, thanks, Edward.

Edward Piercy # 11. November 2009, 02:14

You're very welcome!

And Star -- Don't forget to look under the bed tonight!

(I'm horrible today.)

Linda # 11. November 2009, 03:19

I am not scared of snakes. Unless I see one. No, I have handled snakes (non-poisonous of course) and whereas they look slimy, they are not at all. I have a healthy respect and stay out of the way of poisonous snakes if at all possible. I suppose Texas would have the same poisonous snakes as Arkansas. Am familiar with all those listed. Cottonmouth is pretty toxic. Coral snakes have a very small mouth and can't do much damage unless they get soft flest like between the fingers.

Edward Piercy # 11. November 2009, 03:50

I've always wondered if our almost universal fear/dislike of snakes is due to some sort of genetic memory going back earlier in our evolution. But the existence of genetic memory hasn't been proved yet, so it's just pure speculation.

Linda # 11. November 2009, 04:01

Edward, I believe in the Bible, and after the "Fall" God said he would put enmity between man and the serpent, and I believe that is why so many people are scared of snakes, or dislike them.

Edward Piercy # 11. November 2009, 07:33

Okay!