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Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Anderson resigns from Town Council

At today's regular Town Council meeting, Laura Bruno read the resignation letter of Councilwoman Patricia Anderson during the Town Manager's report. Anderson is claiming health reasons for the resignation.

Also at today's meeting, Dick Thompson was appointed to serve on the Utilities Board, and Barbara Bowman was reappointed to a 1 year term on the Planning and Zoning Board. Desert Freedom Press Publisher Jennifer Jones was appointed to a two year term on P & Z.

Progress is being made on refunding the overcharge of vendor permit fees to the GPAA vendors.

Volume 3 issue 7












Thursday, March 14, 2013

Warm weather is snake weather

 

Arizona Rattlesnakes

Rattlesnake Species:

Rattlesnake Facts:

  • Scientists have identified 36 rattlesnake species

  • Rattlesnakes live only in North and South America

  • 13 species live in Arizona, more than any other state

  • Rattlesnakes use the "loreal pit," a heat-sensing organ between the nostril and eye to locate prey and potential predators

  • These snakes have glands that make venom, much like human saliva glands make saliva

  • The rattle is made of keratin, the same material found in human hair and fingernails

  • The age of a rattlesnake cannot be determined by counting the segments of its rattle

  • Rattlesnake prey may include small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and centipedes

  • According to Arizona Poison Centers, less than 1% of rattlesnake bites result in human deaths

Rattlesnake Species:

Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus)
Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus)
  • Up to 22" long

  • Most primitive form of rattlesnake in U.S.

  • One of four rattlesnake species with special protection in Arizona

Mohave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus)
Mohave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus)
  • Up to 50" long

  • Widely considered most toxic rattlesnake in U.S.

  • Easily confused with Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake

Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis)
Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis)
  • Up to 64" long

  • Reportedly used in famous Hopi snake
    dance ritual

Sidewinder Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes)
Sidewinder Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes)
  • Up to 25" long

  • Travels in side-winding motion

  • Only rattlesnake with horns over eyes

Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchelli)
Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchelli)
  • Up to 51" long

  • Color can vary greatly from nearly white to pink, gray or brown

  • Color often matches their surroundings

Twin-spotted Rattlesnake (Crotalus pricei)
Twin-spotted Rattlesnake (Crotalus pricei)
  • Up to 26" long

  • Small rattle sounds like insect

  • One of four rattlesnake species with special
    protection in Arizona

Tiger Rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris)
Tiger Rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris)
  • Up to 35" long

  • Small head doesn't hold much venom, but venom is powerful

Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi)
Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi)
  • Up to 26" long

  • Gets its name from raised ridge of scales around front of snout

  • Arizona Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake is official state reptile

  • One of four rattlesnake species with special protection in Arizona

Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
(Crotalus atrox)

Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)
  • Up to 66" long

  • Largest rattlesnake in the West

  • Responsible for more bites and deaths to humans than any other rattlesnake species in U.S.

Black-tailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus)
Black-tailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus)
  • Up to 48" long

  • Color can vary greatly from brown or beige to green or golden yellow


Arizona Black Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerberus)
Arizona Black Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerberus)
  • Up to 42" long

  • Young are vividly patterned and can look very different from adults

Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus)
Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus)
  • Up to 63" long

  • Has venom twice as strong as Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, but produces less venom

Rock Rattlesnake (Crotalus lepidus)
Rock Rattlesnake (Crotalus lepidus)
  • Up to 33" long

  • Young use brightly colored tail to attract prey, but tail changes color as snake gets older

  • One of four rattlesnake species with special protection in Arizona
 




Chili cook-off in Brenda this weekend

The public is invited to Brenda RV Resort for a Chili Cook Off, Sat March 16th at 11am. The cook off is open to anyone who would like to make their homemade chili. There will be a $10.00 entry fee. To taste the chili their will be a $1.00 charge. Go east on I-10 to Exit 31. Continue 3 miles to Brenda RV Resort on the left. For more information call Fran Biggs775-741-1343.

March 23 Brenda RV Resort is having a Park Wide Yard Sale. 9am to 2pm. Go east on I-10 to Exit 31. Continue 3 miles to Brenda RV Resort on the left.