Dear Saligaonettekars, As affiliate members of the Green Cross, the little folks of the 'Save the Planet Club' in Saligao are in regular contact with this group of truly dedicated and inspiring wild life conservationists.
Such has been their influence that our children Suhail & Tarika decided to keep a 'vivarium' with a snake in it. It was Rahul Alvares, one of Goa's leading herpetologists who first educated us on what a vivarium is: a glass tank or wood-&-glass cabinet, in which the natural habitat of a snake or animal is replicated. Check out Rahul's fascinating, yet very serious adventures inside the reptile kingdom at <www.geocities.com/rahulsnakesite> As of now, we have 2 additional members to our family: meet Mr. and Mrs. Buff Striped Keelback (BSK) in their new home, a vivarium with a little bit of Saligao replicated as faithfully as possible. It has a bed of sand with laterite rocks, black granite and laterite aggregate, local plants and even the dry branch of a cashew tree for the couple to chase each other on - Hindi filmi style! The dome of a very large sea shell provides the rest and privacy that snakes need. An earthenware container for water, several little frogs, a grasshopper and a house lizzard make up their appetising, live and totally non-veg cuisine! BSKs are gentle, non-biting, non-venomous snakes that abound in Goa's frog infested habitats, during the monsoons. They are great for handling and helping one to shed those traditional fears and myths about snakes. So docile are they, that Suhail picked up papa BSK while he was searching for tiny frogs for the mama who was already with us. Mama BSK is laden with eggs and has already parted with one. We are waiting for her to complete laying the rest of the clutch. Till then, Suhail & Tarika are conducting little snake handling sessions for their friends...and their parents' friends too! In collaboration with Green Cross, a session for the students of Lourdes Convent is in the pipeline and the principal, Sr. Lily is looking out for a suitable date. This done, the BSKs will return to their natural monsoon habitat in the compound outside, where we first found them. More on the BSK: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphiesma_stolatum> In solidarity with like Rahul Alvares, Green Cross and many other herpetologists and wild life conservationists who strive to keep Saligao and Goa the way we found it. M&M. PS: From the Green Cross website: Started in 1994, The Green Cross has blazed an adventurous trail in Goa and emerged as the state's most active field-level wildlife groups today, engaging themselves in a multitude of activities. Among their prime accomplishments, to date Green Cross has conducted over 150 snake awareness and wildlife talks in schools, colleges, clubs, villages and gatherings throughout Goa. The volunteers have rescued hundreds of wildlife, which was injured, mutilated or held captive, and rehabilitated it in wildlife habitats. The Green Cross also operates Goa's sole 24-hour Wildlife Ambulance and patrol vehicle, sanctioned by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of Goa. Check them out at <http://greencrossgoa.org> M&M. -- ................................................................ there *is* anOTHERgoa @ <http://www.anothergoa.blogspot.com> & <http://www.youtube.com/anothergoa> ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' muriel & mario, "villa faria", 5/3 donvaddo, saligao. bardez. goa. 403511. tel: 0832-2278276 / 2409999 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ This message comes via the Google Groups "Saligao-Net" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/saligao-net?hl=en Please post regularly to keep the e-village active! -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
