Posted by:
Phil Peak
at Sun Nov 13 21:35:39 2005 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by Phil Peak ]
Frank, though what you say it true to some degree about Terry and for that matter myself making assumptions of what may or may not be happening below the frozen ground in winter, it is also quite clear that you are as well. You are simply assuming that what you have observed in Ariz is also occuring in states well to the north. I know you have mentioned that this is not simply an Ariz phenomena and is much more widespread, but what evidence do you have to support this? When it comes down to it all of us are making assumptions. Its just that some of us are more willing to admit this. I would find your arguments much more meaningful if you had first hand experience witnessing large amounts of winter activity in snake other than in Ariz and Fla. Maybe I missed something and if I did please enlighten me. Have you studied a population of over wintering snakes in the northern U.S.? I can tell you first hand that I spend time in the field 12 months a year. The same AC and natural cover I find snakes under in the warm months I find salamanders under in the cold months so its not like I'm sitting on the couch and guessing about this. Even when we have an unseasonably warm spell in January when the temps are in the 60's and 70's for a week there will be no snakes under tin, boards, rocks, etc..Occasionally we will see Thamnophis, Nerodia ar Regina but that is it. Nothing else. When we start seeing kingsnakes again in March it is clear these snakes have not been shedding or feeding. They are generally thin and their skin is weathered and worn looking. Phil
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RE: Is there evidence to support congregation behavior in other kingsnakes - Phil Peak, Sun Nov 13 21:35:39 2005