Posted by Paul Bithorn on November 03, 2002 at 09:36:48:
In Reply to: Shark Valley/Loop Road TAS Fieldtrip posted by Paul Bithon on November 03, 2002 at 00:19:35:
Previously posted on Saturday, November 2, 2002 by Paul Bithorn
> A coiled Pygmy Diamondback Rattlesnake was seen basking in the sun along the trail
My humblest apology to herpetologists, et al. for my accidental hybridization of a Pygmy Rattlesnake with a Diamondback Rattlesnake. The species account should have read Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus milairus), a snake of the wet prairies and moist woodlands throughout Florida. Much of the literature lists the species as Pigmy Rattlesnake, but I'll stick with the former spelling. It is not the first time I have invented a new species and it won't be the last. Contrary to popular belief, my blunder was not due to celebratory libations. Al Capone's hidden bootleg liquor remains safe for now.
Life is good......... even when plumbers (our snakes make us lots of dinero) pretend to be naturalists.