Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Finally had some really nice warm weather today so figured I'd head out to the local snake dens near my house and see if anything was awake yet. Walking towards the dens I almost stepped on a nice little 3-1/2ft Bullsnake basking right out in open ground!! This has been the first really warm day so I was surprised to find one that was that far away from one of the holes already, he was really warm and a feisty little bastard.

I ended up finding 6 Bullsnakes today but the Rattlesnakes and Garters are still hiding, they usually take a few days once the Bulls are out. By the way these are some Canadian Bulls.

...where in Canada are you? There was a recent article on Canadian herps in Reptiles, and in a follow-up issue, someone wrote in and was critical of the article's author, upset that he would advocate such an "active" pursuit of wild herps. The critic played the "wildlife harrassment" card -- something akin to calling someone a "racist" or a "homophobe" to scare them into capitulating to any and all unsubstantiated claims of wrongdoing or malice on their part toward some "fragile" and "abused" minority.

Thanks again for sharing the photos -- I hope to see some SW Wisconsin bulls in situ next week. I'll post photos if I am successful.

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Carl

Well let's just say I live somewhere on the prairies, lol. Sorry I'm so reluctant to give any kind of location but collecting can be a problem and the limited local populations would not hold up well to even a few animals being taken. This is something we have experienced first hand in my area so we are very protective of the snakes and their locations.

Glad you enjoyed the pics, shouldn't be long now till the rest of the snakes are out!!

I understand your reluctance to talk location and appreciate your sensitivity to population vulnerability.

Went to try and come up with a first snake of the season a couple days ago. No snakes, but found and photographed a Blanding's turtle and collected a MONSTER water bug!
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Carl

Nice shots, definitely reminds me of my Canadian male

P&S Pituophis