My snake is shedding

[XemaSab]

and it sounds REALLY gross.

Just thought you'd want to know.

Carry on.

[Heidi]

1. Off-topic, but I have a bird question, Xema!

What is the typical life expectancy of birds like robins, blue-tits, yellow finches, etc.? You know, the birds in my garden . . .

Thank you! :hi:

[Elidor]

3. Life expectancy is the inverse square of their proximity to the snake.

Some of the larger bones may even come through relatively intact.

[XemaSab]

5. Got that right!

I once snatched a baby warbler from the jaws of death at the (metaphorical) hands of a snake! :D

[XemaSab]

4. I can tell you the oldest records for similar American birds

The oldest wild American Robin lived to 12 years, but the records for the smaller thrushes are around 7 and 8 years old. Do you mean European Goldfinch or Serin? The oldest wild American Goldfinch lived to 9 years. The chickadee/tit age records are all about 10 years.

Of other birds you may have, the wild Sand Martin/Bank Swallow record is 8 years; Ravens can live in captivity up to 24 years; the wild House Sparrow record is 14 years; the wild Barn Owl record (from Holland!) is 17 years; the wild Herring Gull record (also from Holland!) is 31 years; the oldest wild Hawk/Buzzard lived to nearly 17 years; and the oldest wild Mallard lived to 29 years. A Black Headed Gull lived 63 years!

These are, of course, the records. Many wild birds die in the first year of life, and survivorship forms a curve from there out. Birds wise up a bit when they're older, so if they can make it the first few years, they're likely to keep on keeping on, but accidents happen. Migration takes a lot out of birds, but birds that don't migrate can be killed by hard winters. However, the oldest Arctic Tern was 34 years old when recaptured and released! They migrate from the Arctic to the coast of Antarctica every year, the longest migration of any bird! At 22,000 miles a year, this bird may have flown up to 748,000 miles just while migrating, plus thousands of miles more while feeding!

Bigger birds usually live longer than smaller birds, with the oldest wild North American Ruby-Throated hummingbirds living about 5 years (but remember, most Ruby Throats migrate across the Gulf of Mexico!). Most little birds live only three or four years.

I hope I answered your question. :)

[Heidi]

7. Wow!

Thank you, Xema. We regard our garden birds just as we regard the cats and other life around here, but some of our neighbors treat the birds as expendable, like, "Hey, they're gonna be dead next winter, anyway." Thank you so much for helping me with my argument. :hi:

[XemaSab]

8. I'm glad to be a soldier

in the War on Cats. :patriot:

I'd like to see some survivorship numbers for those cats after you get through with them.

:hide:

[Heidi]

9. The cats aren't as much of a problem

as kids with BB guns during the summer, when our little village fills up with all the families that own holiday homes here. :eyes:

[Gato Moteado]

2. what kinda snake?

i have had many in captivity and never heard one shed....i always assumed it was a silent action.

[XemaSab]

6. Rat Snake

I've never heard him shed before this... I think he was crawling around in the castings while shedding. :shrug:

[ghostsofgiants]

10. Yeah, but is it on a motherfuckin' plane?

[XemaSab]

14. Why do I have the sudden urge to introduce a new habitat element

to his cage? :shrug:

[ghostsofgiants]

15. You would be my hero...

Even after you flat-out rejected me. :P

[XemaSab]

16. Many are cold

But few are frozen. :P

[ghostsofgiants]

17. They should call you Xemarctica, in that case.

:evilgrin:

[Orsino]

11. I've had mornings like that, too. n/t

[Guava Jelly]

12. my snake shrinks in cold water

oh wait your talking about real snakes oops nevermind

[gizmo1979]

13. My kids snake died yesterday.

4 and a half foot minature python.It was quite the end of the world.