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Author Archive
June 20, 2010 | 
Author That Sam-I-Am!
That Sam-I-Am!
I do like that Sam-I-Am.
Find herps galore, that’s what he can.
That’s why I like that Sam-I-Am.
Do you like amphibians?
I do.
I do.
I really like amphibians.
But where are they, Sam-I-Am?
Where are the amphibians?
Over here, said Sam-I-Am.
And over here.
And over there.
You can find them everywhere.
You can find them if you care.
Say! I like all those amphibians.
I do! I like them, Sam-I-Am.
I would like them in the rain.
I would like them on a train.
I would like them here and there.
I would like them anywhere.
But what of snakes, Sam-I-Am?
Are they just like amphibians?
Easy to find and easy to see?
From on the ground or in a tree?
Snakes are here.
Snakes are there.
Silly man for asking where!
To find some snakes, just stop and stare!
You could find snakes in a boat.
You could find snakes with a goat.
And in the dark. And in a tree.
They’re easy to find, don’t you see?
Lizards, too, Sam-I-Am?
Just like the amphibians?
Just like all those snakes you found?
Lizards, too, on tree or ground?
Of course, my friend, lizards, too.
Now watch your step. Watch your shoe.
Easy to see on a tree.
On a fence.
On the ground.
You’ll scare them away if you make a sound.
But easy to find and fun to see.
Lizards are great, don’t we agree?
Oh, I agree, Sam-I-Am.
You really are the herping man.
Now one last quest I ask of you.
Can you find a gator too?
Neither hide nor hair did I see.
When looking for one for you and me.
Walked in the water.
Walked through the trees.
But finding a gator depends on who sees.
Too bad about that, Sam-I-Am.
But I really liked the amphibians.
And I liked the snakes.
And lizards, too.
Herping is better when I’m with you.
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The next edition of House of Herps will be hosted by Arati at Trees, Plants and More. Send your submissions to submissions [at] houseofherps [dot] com no later than July 15 if you want to participate.
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After an extended and record-breaking winter, spring quickly gave way to an early summer in the Lone Star State. We’ve already hit the century mark on the ol’ thermometer, and heat and humidity have driven sensible people into the comfort of air conditioning. But now is the time to get out and about if you want to see herps. You see, here in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex we’re experiencing a snake and alligator explosion. Yes, I said alligators.
The weather over the past year has given rise to perfect conditions for snakes, but the changing climate in this part of the world has also made DFW a perfect place for alligators.
Since last summer more than eight alligators have been captured and relocated due to their nearness to schools and residential areas. And it’s suspected that this, the largest extant alligator species, now inhabits nearly all waterways in and around the metroplex, including the lakes where people swim. Which, as you can suspect, has made this territorial expansion fascinating for some and worrisome for others. But seeing these crocodilians in places like Plano, Arlington, Dallas, Ft. Worth and Kaufman has made for many a smile amongst those of us who can’t get enough of these large critters.
In addition to the growing alligator presence, the number of animals (mainly pets) bitten by snakes has more than doubled in the last three months. The weather has been perfect for our scaled, legless friends. That means they’re out in force, roaming about in yards and parks—and even on roads and driveways. Our many venomous species are making a grand appearance, but so are the large number of nonvenomous species. The slithering around North Texas is nearly audible.
Why does all this matter?
The deadline for submitting to House of Herps #7 is fast approaching. June 15 will be here before you know it, and that’s the last day for getting your entry into the next celebration of all things herpetological. Given the sudden overflow of herps right here in the middle of the big city and the rapid approach of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, finding reptiles and amphibians should increasingly present no problems for anyone who goes outside.
So get out there and find some herps. Then blog about your experience. And then remember to send your submission to submissions [at] houseofherps [dot] com no later than June 15. The carnival will then be posted around June 18.
Oh, one more thing. Though we have hosts lined up for most of the year, we’re still looking for someone to host this edition and the October edition of the carnival dedicated to these ectothermic tetrapods. If you’re interested in hosting, send an e-mail to submissions [at] houseofherps [dot] com and let us know. Please remember to include a link to your blog.
Now, get off the internet and go outside!
Perpetually entertaining and enlightening, The Geek in Question (TGIQ) from Fall To Climb took on a serious challenge this month, and she did it intentionally. She volunteered to host two blog carnivals: House of Herps and An Inordinate Fondness. Talk about being a glutton for punishment…
One thing I’ve learned about TGIQ in the time I’ve been following her blog is that she is both tenacious and intelligent, so challenges don’t go unmet. And thus she has proven me right with not only pulling off two blog carnivals at once, but she’s done it with her usual flair and humor coupled with an appreciable amount of wit and charm.
With House of Herps #5: Slime Poetry, TGIQ introduces us to slam poetry as seen through the lens of herpetofauna. It’s a devilishly clever presentation invested with serious intent. When she said she would host the carnival, what she meant was that she would host it well.
So head on over to House of Herps #5: Slime Poetry for a poetic and engaging edition of the blog carnival that celebrates all things amphibian and reptilian. For the best effect, you should really follow her advice: “I suggest you stand to recite the verses, and be sure to speak loudly.”
And don’t forget to thank The Geek in Question for providing such a slammin’ edition of House of Herps!