Reptales

i’m sure many readers who read this book have had at some stage in their life experienced that horrible feeling, depending on their personal fear of course, of coming into contact with a scaly creature ranging from the tiny skink right thro ugh to an enormous python that has left the hairs standing up on the back of the neck. the exposure is etched firmly into the mind forever as possibly one of the luckiest escapes in one’s life.

reptales has been written to acknowledge all these people who have over the period of my life-time sat down over a cup of tea or a beer around a campfire and when the subject of snakes, lizards, goannas etc. has arisen, have come forward with their weird but wonderful story of the narrow escape from the clutches of one of these dangerous scaly creatures, that they would have us awed listeners believe seek out humans just for the pleasure of frightening us half to death when in reality the poor creature would be quite content with not having any contact with us at all.

snakes in particular prefer to escape what normally becomes their tormentor and it is in some of these verses written that will show the contempt and stupidity that can occur when there is a preference to kill instead of the philosophy of ‘live and let live!’

in fact reptiles can become friendly and loveable pets, and in these modern times, many people have a friendly snake slithering around their lounge room and some have even come to the conclusion a snake is a wonderful preventative against car theft. a blue-tongue or a stumpy-tail make wonderful ornaments on an arm and readily accept a strawberry or piece of mince meat contentedly. maybe you the reader should consider a shiny friendly red-bellied black!