The African Rock Python is a large snake species native to sub-Saharan Africa, thriving in savannas, rainforests, and marshlands.
They are known for their impressive size; on average, they can stretch up to 11 feet. However, some specimens reached almost 20 feet. Their skin features dark brown blotches on a light brown or olive backdrop, which helps them blend into their surroundings.
African Rock Pythons prey on rodents, monkeys, antelopes, and crocodiles. Their hunting technique involves constricting their prey.
The Rock Dove, also known as the Rock Pigeon, is a versatile bird native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. They have a colorful appearance with distinct black bars on their wing coverts.
Their homing instinct is their most remarkable feature, allowing them to navigate back home from hundreds of miles away at 50 miles per hour.
Rock pigeons can also travel up to 700 miles daily and have a storied history as long-distance messengers, aerial acrobats, and survivors.
The Rock Rattlesnake, or the Banded Rock Rattlesnake, is a small pit viper in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Its body has a pinkish-brown to dark-gray color that allows it to blend in with the surroundings.
It preys on small mammals, lizards, birds, and amphibians at night. This ovoviviparous species gives birth to 2 to 8 offspring at a time, usually in late summer or early fall.
Despite its venom, it usually does not pose a threat to humans unless it feels threatened.
This rattlesnake is a small, primarily nocturnal creature found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It can only grow up to 32 inches. Depending on their rocky environment, their color can range from light grey to pink, with mottled patterns of different hues.
It uses the ambush technique to hunt small mammals, lizards, and birds. Unlike other types of rattlesnakes, they are active in colder temperatures.
Banded Rock Rattlesnake (Crotalus lepidus klauberi) found in the Sierra Madre Occidental of eastern Sonora, Mexico.
The rock sparrow or rock petronia (Petronia petronia) is a small passerine bird in the sparrow family Passeridae. It is the only member of the genus Petronia. It breeds on barren rocky hills from the Iberian Peninsula and western north Africa across southern Europe and through the Palearctic Siberia and north and central China. It is largely resident in the west of its range, but Asian birds migrate to more southerly areas, or move down the mountains.
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Plump bird with small head and straight, thin bill. Plumage is variable, but most common form has gray back, 2 black bars in the wing, and blue-gray head.
Feral Pigeons
Feral Pigeons are commonly found in urban areas, nesting in places such as a block of flats, a bit of Victorian Gothic architecture, or a railway arch. They are descended from the Wild Rock Dove and, over the years, they have become semi domesticated. Measuring 32-37cm, they can be identified by their distinctive twin black wing bars.
Their nesting can block chimneys, flues, and guttering, which can cause issues with carbon monoxide and water overflow from gutters. It’s also common to find parasites such as mites, ticks, fleas, and beetles in their nests. So, if you don’t solve your pigeon problem, you may find you suffer from a parasite infestation too.
Pigeon droppings are acidic and can corrode/erode metals, stonework, and brickwork. Not only can they destroy materials and look and smell unpleasant, they can transmit a variety of diseases from Listeria to E-coli. When dry, their droppings can become airborne in small particles, which can lead to respiratory complaints.
As I walked by a huge flock of pigeons, all at once they took flight with power and sync. But what I was suddenly curious about was why there are so many of them in every city in the world?
And by the way, when you say pigeon, be specific! There are over 300 species.
Woody Allen famously defined them as “rats with wings” in his movie Stardust Memories, though It was originally coined by Thomas Hoving, New York City’s parks commissioner, in 1966. The movie, however, spread the negative rap on pigeons like fire. They were ״officially״ bullying parasites who spread diseases.
Thankfully there are many who, despite the gloomy pigeon outlook, still spread bread crumbs in their town square. Washington square - NYC, Trafalgar Square - London, Melbourne/Sydney - Australia, Buenos Aires - Argentina, Mumbai - India…the list goes on.
Makes you think: these guys have taken over the world!
Except for the passenger pigeon who went from their millions to extinct within 40 years!
Why these massive numbers? Why pigeons, of all species? And do they really deserve Woody Allen’s marque of infamy?
Here are a few facts I learned.
And maybe after you read them…
You might, just like me, change your mind.
