UNSUNG HEROES

Sun City's Unsung Heroes

The Snake Wranglers

On call 24/7, Jim Christiansen, Steve Kelley, John Leek, and Joe Plunkett don’t jump into skintight suits emblazoned with the letter “S” when their phones ring, but they will attempt to come to the rescue of the caller as swiftly as they can.

In 2005, Jim, a professor emeritus of herpetology at Drake University, a research associate at UT, and a Sun City resident, had the idea to advertise a new service: “Will answer snake calls free, day and night.”

Jim credits the original Del Webb community design for retaining much of the area’s native wildlife, which allowed him the unique opportunity to analyze its snake population. In January, with years of significant data behind him, he will be presenting at the Texas Conservation Symposium as they focus on the impact of urbanization on wildlife.

Steve, John, and Joe signed on years ago as volunteers and joke that they had all the right qualifications: an interest in snakes, common sense, and no fear. Together, the four “snake ambassadors” remain committed to educating their neighbors and demystifying snakes.

Together, the four wranglers have handled thousands of snakes and have had their share of interesting experiences—a snake in a washing machine, a snake up their pant leg— nothing seems to surprise them, except for the call they received asking if they could rush over to get rid of an armadillo in a backyard.

Joe Plunkett, John Leek, Steve Kelley, and Jim Christiansen

THE SNAKES

Of the two venomous snakes in our area, the western diamondback rattlesnake (at left, top) is the one to watch. Because of its skittish nature, the coral snake (below) is usually not a threat unless it is handled. Surprisingly, children gravitate toward picking it up, due to its beautiful coloration.

Though they have received 300 calls so far this year, only three snake bites have been reported in Sun City in the last nine years. The wranglers agree common sense is the key: Try to keep garage and exterior doors closed

Maintain home weather stripping Disturb the ground with a rake or broom before gardening Don’t go out in the dark barefoot or in flip flops and without a flashlight Take notice of where you put your hands and feet

Wear boots and long pants when hiking

by Linda A. Thornton photos courtesy John Leek

AFTER A BITE

If bitten by a snake, the snake wranglers suggest victims elevate the bite site and maintain calm. Rather than driving to an emergency room, call 9-1-1. First responders will call ahead to make sure the anti-venom (also called antivenin) is available at the hospital location.

Sun City residents should also consider adding the snake wranglers’ cell phone numbers to their phone’s contact list. You can find them under “Helpful Numbers” in Sun Rays magazine.

Also, stop by Sun City’s social center monitor’s desk on Texas Drive and pick up a Snake ID Guide.

A TOILET BRUSH CHRISTMAS Artificial Christmas trees first appeared in America during the late 19th century. These early trees did not resemble live pine trees; they were made of metal wires covered in dyed-green feathers. In the 1930s, the Addis Brush Company, an American toilet bowl brush manufacturer created the first brush artificial tree. This tree was actually manufactured using the same equipment as the company’s toilet brushes. The introduction of these trees increased the popularity of the artificial tree.

(Patentplaques.com)