The New Zealand mudsnail is a threat to our aquatic habitats which has invaded areas in North America and throughout the western United States. The mudsnail is less than 5 mm in size and may attach to fishing gear, (boots, waders, nets, buckets, etc.), where it can then be transferred to other locations. It reproduces asexually, and it can survive out of water several days.
Cleaning:
Physically scrub your gear before leaving a site.
Chemically clean gear by soaking gear in a solution such as a 50% dilution of 409 disinfectant cleaner for 5 minutes followed by rinsing with tap water. Dispose of cleaning solution and rinse water away from the site. Dry heat will also kill the NZMS.
If you suspect you have found mudsnails, collect 5-10 snails and place them in a plastic bag with a little water. To confirm the identification go to, http://www.esg.montana.edu/aim/mollusca/nzms. If you find NZMS in Colorado, contact robin.knox@state.co.us.
Signs of Hypothermia Provided by one of our readers
Hypothermia doesn’t just occur in the winter, but this is a good time to remind you of the common signals that hypothermia might be occurring. Common signs include:
• Loss of judgment
• Shivering and/or warm flashes
• Difficulty with fine motor skills and slurred speech
• Decrease in visual acuity and hallucinations
• High blood pressure and rapid heart rate which slows considerably as cold increases
• Decreased limb function
If you think mild hypothermia might be occurring, quickly take steps to prevent further heat loss, move person to warm environment, remove wet clothes if possible, cover the head with a warm hat, walk the person around to increase circulation, and increase fluids (except alcohol) if person is fully conscious and able to swallow without chocking. Get medical help.
Did You Know? Provided by one of our readers
You know that fish can hear, don’t you? They can, but hearing ability varies among species. It usually involves vibrations along the lateral line or the swim bladder being transmitted to the Otolith (ear stone) bone in a fish’s inner ear. The American Shad can detect ultrasound at frequencies higher than any other animal, including bats!
-That 60% of a swordfish’s diet in the northwest Atlantic consists of squid?
-That there are over 30 fly fishing clubs for women in the U.S and abroad?
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