|
Post by Hezz on Jan 26, 2017 9:35:57 GMT
My exact thought as I read Sam's post was .... and Jellybean will be right behind you!!!!
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Jan 26, 2017 9:38:46 GMT
The link worked fine for me... until I read the information: Seven inches long and can have a nasty bite! May have been newspaper sensationalism but... Please don't email or post one my way Hezz!I think spiders are fascinating - have no problem with having them indoors although when they run at high speed under furniture it's a bit off putting until I've worked out what they are. (I hate mice... long story) Not seen a spider indoors for ages. Occasionally they hang around on the aviary shed ceiling. The budgies take almost no interest but I'm not sure how long they'd keep 8 legs if they went into the inside flight. Oh, Learner ..... where is your sense of adventure??? I could make up a smorgasbord-package. No?? Pout!
|
|
|
Post by milliej on Jan 26, 2017 16:36:43 GMT
I've just heard that it's now illegal to kill snakes in South Africa, well that wouldn't stop me horrible creatures and deadly! There are some really nasty ones there. Plus why illegal to kill snakes but shooting lions and 'big' game allowed ....really? I wonder if this is strictly true?
|
|
|
Post by OP on Jan 26, 2017 19:41:09 GMT
I heard that South Africa was full of snakes and they don't all live in the grass. I have heard tell of drivers that have flame throwers under their cars. I don't know if that is right or not. I don't mean for killing the snakes in the grass either.
|
|
|
Post by milliej on Jan 26, 2017 22:14:39 GMT
We used to get snakes in our garden in the middle of a fair sized town, not sure what they were but didn't ask hubby just kept a shovel handy and lopped off their heads! Quite a sight to see, he hates them, would throw the shovel and jump back making weird sounds lol. Quite frightening though, deadly species hide in the most unsuspecting places, no thanks, the most dangerous in England is the adder that's enough!
|
|
|
Post by OP on Jan 27, 2017 7:31:39 GMT
We used to get snakes in our garden in the middle of a fair sized town, not sure what they were but didn't ask hubby just kept a shovel handy and lopped off their heads! Quite a sight to see, he hates them, would throw the shovel and jump back making weird sounds lol. Quite frightening though, deadly species hide in the most unsuspecting places, no thanks, the most dangerous in England is the adder that's enough! That you know of. I'm sure a python or two will have escaped/been set free. Maybe others as well. Thinking about all this killing of animals, don't you think that they have a right to be on this planet?
|
|
|
Post by Marianne Marlow on Jan 27, 2017 8:45:33 GMT
Thinking about all this killing of animals, don't you think that they have a right to be on this planet? That's how I feel OP, I'd only kill in self defence.
|
|
|
Post by OP on Jan 27, 2017 9:06:23 GMT
I would like to make a distinction between vermin and other animals. I will and do kill vermin. I believe that counts as self defence because these animals are a real threat to human health. Most vermin that I have come into contact with are prolific breeders and are quite often in contact with our living space. Whilst in that space they spread various fatal diseases. If left unchecked they would overrun our living space. So yes I will kill vermin.
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Jan 27, 2017 9:56:04 GMT
I will not help feral animals that are harmful to our native wildlife, which we have our fair share of in Australia, thanks to what I will call our second settlers, seeing as the country was already settled when the so-called first settlers came here ...... feral cats and dogs, foxes, pigs, rabbits (sorry, rabbits) etc, and can understand why camels, buffalo, even brumbies may need to be culled. I will not rescue an Indian mynah bird (feral animal), but would a butcherbird, even though I dislike what they do; they are only doing what nature intended them to do - survive!
|
|
|
Post by milliej on Jan 27, 2017 16:40:41 GMT
All life, creatures great and small are privileged to live on this planet (not sure about 'rights') and I wouldn't harm one unnecessarily unless it becomes a threat, endangers those I can help or has become a nuisance. That could vary with one's opinion of course but having lived in some 'hot' countries where wild life is so different to here in UK, I think we are incredibly fortunate to have what we have here but think sadly that too many don't appreciate it.
|
|
|
Post by Learner on Jan 28, 2017 2:20:21 GMT
Hezz Firstly - many thanks for the offer of a package of assorted over-sized spiders but I'll pass on that one as fascinating as they are. Vermin - no problem as long as they are far away from me. I absolutely detest the house mouse. Field mice - lovely as long as they stay outside and do not consider venturing near my aviary! Rats - I'm afraid I don't even like those intelligent white / brown / any colour pet ones. I had a 8'x12' shed very full of wild rats on my father's allotment years ago. They weren't that wild... they would stand on their hind-legs and look in interest if I dared open the door and lean in to reach a tool near the door. They were usually at the far end. One allotment holder spotted a rabbit one day... I had problems convincing him it was a rat as it was so large but we have never ever had a rabbit on the allotment plots. My dad (and then me) had the plot for about 50 years. Before then it belonged to our local farrier and blacksmith. His shed had stood where my dad had his... The blacksmith had two large round metal drums as water butts. When they rusted he buried them = my dad unknowingly put his shed over the buried metal drums. Those clever rats made it their underground bunker then decided to go for an above ground extension... my dad's shed! The problem only developed when a new take-away shop opened a few hundred metres away on the main road.. lots of insecure waste bins so the rats thrived. In order to remove the problem I demolished my dad's shed (with his permission), burnt the floor and old timbers then put a new shed up on paving stones at the other end of the plot. I respect all life but... if it threatens me or mine and I can't solve the problem then it has to go. Keeping populations of introduced non-native creatures under-control is, I think, necessary. Myna birds in S'tralia Wow!! What sort? I had two many years ago.
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Jan 28, 2017 7:57:04 GMT
Indian Myna birds are a huge pest where I am, Learner ..... introduced species, of course, but decimating our little birds. I know they are smart; I still hate them with a passion.
|
|
|
Post by Shirls on Jan 28, 2017 11:56:41 GMT
Lovely though they are in the U.K. - I hate magpies! They are not the only ones that do it I know, but they pinch eggs out of other birds nests to eat. There are a lot of magpies where I live and they pinch the collared doves eggs!
|
|
|
Post by Learner on Jan 28, 2017 16:14:49 GMT
Indian Myna birds are a huge pest where I am, Learner ..... introduced species, of course, but decimating our little birds. I know they are smart; I still hate them with a passion.
I can appreciate how you feel... but my mynas stuck to fruit and the odd insect / grub.
I'm surprised (don't know why) they are in large numbers in Australia. We have those big green ring-necked parakeets in and around the London area so it'd make sense Mynas manage in Australia.
I had a Greater Hill Myna called "Fred". Lovely glossy plumage and as tame as a pet dog. He'd happily sit on my shoulder or arm as I wandered about. Came outside with me too. Won a "best softbill in show" when I was a teenager. A brilliant mimic and knew many words and short phrases.
One day Fred was spooked by a crow's shadow and took off over the roof tops. I found him over the road by calling his name until he replied: "Hello!"
It shocked the nearby neighbour who thought I was a burglar and didn't believe my explanation until Fred replied and came hopping out of the runner bean patch!
My other myna was a lesser hill myna - took him in when his owner couldn't cope. He lived in the aviary with cockatiels and budgies. Not aggressive - pretty black & white plumage - kept to himself but always belted over when he saw a tray of chopped fruit! I think the budgies actually kept him in order!
Here - magpies are not popular with me - too much damage to nesting broods but everything has its place I guess when its in its own natural environment.
|
|