Under the authority of the Virus Serum Toxin Act, USDA's Center for Veterinary Biologics CVB regulates the production and labeling of veterinary biologics, which include animal vaccines and antivenom products, to ensure that they are pure, safe, potent, and effective.
CVB does not regulate the activity of milking snakes or the sale of snake venom in its pure form. However, if you intend to produce snake antivenom, you should contact CVB to determine what steps you need to take to ensure the safe production and labeling of this product.
The telephone number is , or you can contact CVB via email at cvb usda. You should also contact the appropriate State and local authorities in your area to find out about any laws they may enforce that may apply to the purchase and administration of this product.
Contact information for State and local government agencies is available at the U. Related Information Title. Also, it is unlawful to possess, import or export species listed as endangered or threatened by the Fish and Boat Commission.
It is unlawful to offer for sale, trade or barter reptiles and amphibians except snapping turtles taken from the wild in PA. This includes the animals alive or dead, whole or in parts including eggs or any lifestage. See also question number 3. The purpose of our regulations regarding the sale of reptiles and amphibians is to minimize exploitation of wild populations by eliminating a profit motive.
Unfortunately, the information that we have about the current status of crayfish species occurrence and abundance is limited. No comprehensive statewide surveys of crayfish species have been completed since the turn of the century when A. Ortmann recorded much of what is now the historic baseline data for PA crayfishes.
As far as we know 13 species may occur in Pennsylvania. All are of the family Cambaridae. At the end of this document is a list of the likely species.
At the Commission's urging, there are two research projects by the Wild Resource Conservation Fund that will begin to address the lack of information regarding these important crustaceans. One will attempt to develop a photographic key to the Pennsylvania species for use by persons such as yourself. The other project would involve researchers in a coordinated effort to determine the statewide distribution of crayfishes in Pennsylvania and compare that to the early 's data.
Across North America most researchers are beginning to realize that aquatic invertebrates are the most endangered of all species due to alterations of the aquatic environment.
Freshwater mussels are highest on the list of concern but crayfishes are running a close second. We expect to see increased interest, studies and new information about these species becoming available in the next few years. For now, if you wish to attempt identifications the best source may be to check out a copy of "Freshwater Invertebrates of the U. A university library is your best bet. Species in the Family Cambaridae likely in Pennsylvania.
Your observations of local snake populations are probably right on. This doesn't mean there are more snakes, it just means they are being seen in different areas and at different times. Many species of snakes common to Pennsylvania, such as Eastern Gartersnakes and Eastern Milksnakes, frequent lowlands and grassy areas.
During hot, dry weather - especially in the drought conditions like much of Pennsylvania often experiences in summers - even species that typically prefer forests and rocky hillsides Timber Rattlesnakes and Northern Ring-necked Snakes, for example begin to move toward valleys and stream bottoms. Some people think this movement is prompted by a search for water. This explanation is only partially correct, however. The snakes themselves are not necessarily looking for sources of water, but the small animals mice, chipmunks, toads, etc.
The "additional" snakes you are seeing are merely following their food sources. As cooler fall temperatures arrive, theses snakes will gradually move back into the areas you are more accustomed to encountering them. Although you have noticed snakes more frequently of late, you might be surprised to learn how many more snakes are actually around but you are not seeing.
To combat excessive heat, many species of snakes at this time of year limit movement to the relative cool of the nighttime and therefore are rarely seen by most of us. In addition to seeing more snakes, you might also begin to see numbers of very small snakes. Young snakes are usually born or hatch in late summer or early fall. Snakes give birth in one of two ways. Species that lay eggs, such as the black rat snake, are termed "oviparous. All snakes are an essential component of Pennsylvania's wildlife resources.
Fear or negative attitudes about snakes often stem from a lack of knowledge of their habits and role in the ecosystem. A person's attitude about snakes appears to correlate to the relative nearness of a snake at any given time. For example, some people do not think twice about snakes until they show up in their backyard, shed or house. The majority of snakes appearing in these areas are nonvenomous, harmless and usually beneficial to man.
Increased awareness of snakes and their habits usually leads to a new appreciation of them and their part in our world. Field guides and life history books are great tools for bridging gaps in knowledge. You have described a bryozoan which can range in size from a tennis ball to a muskrat up to apparently even a raccoon. Seriously, this is the third bryozoan report that I have had this summer, which is probably due to the low and clear water conditions that we have seen around the state due to the drought.
They've always been there but now they are more visible to people. Bryozoans are animals related to jellyfish and other primitive invertebrates. The animal itself is actually a colony of many individual bryozoans. The green color is due to the algae that also colonize the bryozoans. In fact just the name itself gives a clue as to the relationship between these two organisms; "bryo" refers to plant and "zoan" refers to animal.
Bryozoans are usually attached to the substrate, often around submerged twigs or sticks. Sometimes they break away and then may settle wherever they come to rest.
Breaking the colony up can result in new budding and growth and result in new colonies forming. They eat microscopic plankton and protozoans. This animal is so unique it is classified in its own phylum. So, what you have seen has been around all along but now you know the rest of the story. Its nice to hear that you were on the river with your kids and now they have an opportunity to add to their knowledge of the river and aquatic life.
Thanks for your inquiry. It is legal to catch and keep a black rat snake taken from the wild in Pennsylvania. However, as stewards of Pennsylvania's native reptiles and amphibians, the Commission does NOT encourage people to remove snakes and other herptiles from the wild for pets. They serve a valuable purpose as prey and predator in their natural habitat.
You indicated a reason for keeping this animal was because you were concerned that since it was a baby it would become a meal for some other animal. That could very well be the case; or, it could grow up to become a very effective natural predator on rodents such as mice and rats thus serving one of the purposes for which it has evolved. Snakes of all sizes can become prey. Such a threat is not reserved only for juvenile snakes.
Therefore, I wouldn't keep a healthy animal in captivity because I was concerned for its safety in the wild. You also acknowledged that there are many things to be considered in order to keep a snake healthy in captivity such as feeding, housing and heat considerations.
You are correct. When an animal is confined it has to rely on its keeper to provide all of the needed environmental and dietary requirements necessary for its survival.
In the wild, the same snake would move around seeking out ideal conditions until it found them. Once again such a wild animal will do better in the wild on its own rather than in captivity.
Furthermore, you mentioned that this snake could live for up to 20 years. The next question is, what will you do with it when you no longer wish to buy mice every two weeks or your children grow up and move out of the house, or you just plain get tired of it.
Unfortunately, release to the wild will no longer be an option. A snake kept in captivity for much longer than thirty days often begins to load up with various parasites which are easily able to infect and re-infect it due to the confined living conditions.
Science is always working on the most accurate database of all snake species, and common names can be very misleading. But these are two very different species, and in the case of the US, there are 5 subspecies.
If herpetologists are discussing one or the other, they will use the scientific names so they know exactly what they are talking about. One word of caution: pronunciation of scientific names can vary widely, and when in doubt, people will usually try to apply the rules of pronunciation from their own language.
Since the names are Latin however, the Latin rules of pronunciation are the most appropriate. You should always assume that it is only a matter of time before you get bitten and plan accordingly. You should know how the venom of each of your snakes is likely to affect your body most of that information is readily available on the web. Additional items that should be kept in most protocols:. Remember that in an envenomation emergency, you may not be able to communicate clearly.
In addition, anxiety may limit your ability to make rational decisions, so your protocol should be structured accordingly. A: Antivenin is generally expensive, hard to get, dangerous and illegal to self-administer, and has a finite shelf life.
In general, zoos keep antivenin on hand for any species that they keep, but they may be understandably reluctant to share their resources, because it may leave their own staff without protection. Most hospitals keep a trivial amount of antivenin on hand for native species, but this is hardly helpful if you are keeping exotic species.
A number of companies sell antivenin for exotic species overseas, but they are difficult to import, and are not approved by the FDA. You will therefore need to apply for and get several permits before you are able to import antivenom , as it is considered an experimental drug by the FDA.
As a keeper, it is your responsibility to be aware of what resources are available to you and which are not. A: The reproductive biology behind this is complex, but species within the same genus can often hybridize.
For example, copperheads Agkistrodon contortrix and cottonmouths A. The same is true for many other crotalids vipers and pit vipers. However, the more distant the systematic relationships between two species of snakes are, the less likely is the chance of the two species hybridizing. It is therefore highly unlikely that you would able to cross a cobra with a rattlesnake. If you encounter a venomous snake in your yard, take it seriously.
The snake should be removed to ensure that no one, including pets, gets hurt. Note: This does not mean the snake has to be killed. Moving snakes into unfamiliar territory may compromise their chances to survive. If you see a copperhead or any poisonous snake in your yard, gather up the kids and pets and retreat to the house immediately! Do not try and kill it on your own. In some areas animal control or the local fire department may help remove the offending critter.
There are 36 rattlesnake species, 13 of which are present in Arizona.
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