Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here's a few pics from this weekend (myself, Brendan and Ceno)....a bonus non-crote...

This the female half of a pair of molossus, the male was right next to here but impossible to get both in one pic...

we found a total of ten lepidus in a couple hours...

This was the highlight of the day. About an hour and a half after finding the molossus pair in the crack, Brendan checked back on them and saw this....

Margarita time!..

Awesome photos! You should put a book together ~ the scenery is phenominal.
LOVE the Ringneck. A nice change from the Northerns we see here so frequently on the east coast.
Did Brenden ever get out to the Blue Hills in Boston?

Yes Brendan did get out there for a time but didn't have any luck on finding timbers. I'm sure he'll be back!,lol.

Rich

Its all in the timing and location in Mass. Many people don't realize that the Blue Hills are made up of a series of small mountains and only specific areas have Timbers.
Interestingly these snakes occasionally end up in front of many businesses and even in Parking lots right along the busiest stretches of 93/128!
A number of years back, I had a newspaper photo of a pair of large Timbers sitting on the front steps of the Braintree Town Hall.
They're actually more widespread today, but you have to know where to look.
Literature can sometimes be misleading in an effort to curb illegal activity with the species (primarily killing of specimens.) Thanks, Leo

That's exactly what I have come to learn since my visit out there. Although we didn't see any snakes in that area we had a great hike. I know now that we were just in the wrong area and if I ever make it back out that way I have a much better idea of where to look.
I can totally understand why the literature is misleading and I am actually happy to hear that it is keeping that population safe from harm. It's such a small group of animals that have weathered many years of hard times to stay on the map. I hope they continue to flourish and that the locals continue to respect their right to live in peace.

Brendan

Well, most of the local people now don't even know the snakes are here. Unfortunately, it sometimes takes a human impact & devastation to save populations.
Its not easy to find any snakes up here. They are invisible! Most species blend in so well and have learned that sitting still is the best defense ~ so you really have to make like your looking for a contact that you've just dropped in oredr to locate alot of the snakes here. Its like those computer generated photos that were around a couple of years back, you have to stare and then they just come into focus! Thanks, Leo

I would suppose that crypsis is what has allowed those snakes to maintain a population in such a small area with little ability to move any great distances.
From the few dozen or so photos I have seen of BH timbers I can see how the animals colors have adapted to it's surroundings. A recent outing by a small group turned up 17 animals so although they may be masters at camo for the untrained eye, they are still not completely invisible.
It sounds like you must live fairly close to the reservation and therefor probably visit the animals from time to time. From what I have heard and read the copperheads are the snakes that are vanishing.

Love the ringneck snake. Hopefully, i'll get back out to the Dragoons next August.

I was in the Blue Hills back in September, and only had one decent day to scout around. The local naturalist says the timbers are pretty stable in there, but the copperheads have had a decline.

Here's a pic of downtown Boston from Rattlesnake Hill

MH
www.matabuey.com

The BHR is a really nice area to hike. My girlfriend and I only had a couple hours one morning to do some hiking as well so we didn't see much except a wood frog. Had I made some of the contacts I now have I think I would have been able to see a few of the local timbers. Hopefully one day I will make it back there to look again.
I am sure you probably talked to Steve Hutchinson from the museum and he's the one that gave you the feedback on the population.
Since speaking with him myself I have met two other people that see timbers on a regular basis up there. The photos I have seen of the animals are very nice.
Good luck if you head back there and let us know how you do.

Brendan

Yeah. It was Steve. If you head back over, let me know. I'm only 3 1/2 hrs from Boston and would meet up with you to hike. I may be going back over in June as well, to hunt he Miles Standish Forest for hognose snakes.

Here's a link to NY & PA timbers I've found.

Timbers in the Field

I have no idea when I might make it back out there but hope to fit it in some time in the next year or two. I may join a few friends on a timber trip this spring if I have time.

It's funny because I grew up in New York state and have never seen a timber there or in PA. I think they are some of the most beautiful animals out there. Those melanistic timbers as well as the bright yellow phase are my favorites. I saw a handful in your photos that I would have loved to photograph.

From all the photos I have seen of the BHR timbers they just don't compare but the history on those snakes makes it so worth a chance to see one.

Brendan

yeah, those regalis are always nice to see. My interest in the BHR is definately piqued now. I had never heard of it until just recently when Brendan told me about it and gave me a copy of Palmers book to read. It would be very cool to find some timbers and be able to angle the shot to get some of the city in the background and the snakes in-situ. OK Brendan, speak to the powers that be, get us a 60 weekend year going and plan us an excursion!,lol.

That would make for an amazing photo for sure but one that you could NEVER post on a public forum.

You and I both know that unfortunately those type of photos are one's that we can only enjoy for ourselves and the stuff that we could share would never include a good depiction of habitat.

Once you see the reservation for yourself you will understand. It's small. I for one would never want to be responsible for information getting into the wrong hands.

I now understand why I never got a response from anyone about looking for timbers there and I totally respect that.

We will see them one of these days for ourselves but they will just have to be our memories.

Super photos Rich. THANKS!

I have not been out down south lately -- but Frank has. He saw a bunch of leps and a patchnosed yesterday. Today and yesterday I saw three gophers and a patchnosed around the house.

I love November.

I hope to go to the Huachucas Thursday?????

Thanks Hugh! I just wish southern Az. wasn't so far away for me as I usually only have one day to do it all in.

One of these days I'm gonna shine a crack and find Frank curled up next to a pyro,lol. Hope you can make it out Thurs, good luck if ya do!

Been thinking about you guys, hope all is going well.

Best,

Rich

Looks like you guys did alright! Brendan must have had his lucky shamrock with him.

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Cheers
Lateralis
"I would rather be precisely wrong than approximately right"
Marion "Doc" Ford

Did you ever see that tiger again after she popped out the babies? That area looked really awesome for buzztails. We need to hit that again next year. Hell we could even do it over the winter.

Hey amigo

Nope I never saw the little urchins or her again, though I su speck they are still around I'd be up for hittin it again anytime. Pretty slick to see the 3 sp. using the same pile of rubble. Those blacktails will shack up with anyone it seems...LOL.

ciao
Lat
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Cheers
Lateralis
"I would rather be precisely wrong than approximately right"
Marion "Doc" Ford