Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I had a bit of a slapstick moment with an atrox tonight. While out violating HB12 (by moving snakes off the road), I happened upon a very relaxed diamond back warming himself on the pavement.

I must have startled him when I tapped the pavement near his tail. He freaked out and tried to pull himself into a defensive coil with his head held high and far back. Somehow, he lost his balance and FELL OVER onto his back. He looked like a hognose for a couple of seconds. He then flipped back over and bolted fro the shoulder (no doubt embarrassed and wanting to hide from my ridicule).

thats like getting drunk and falling behind the couch.LOL.....
Shannon

Sounds like you speak from experience Mr. Brown. lol

LOL... well maybe a little bit now and then.

L8r Shannon

That atrox is obviously a member of CCA (Comedic Crotalids Anonymous) that has monthly group support meetings in nearby greasewood flats. I also hear they're exempt from Texas politics .. too bad we aren't. Y'all be safe this weekend.
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Bill Cope
O'Brien, FL

That's a good one! It makes me think of my favorite herp moment in Big Bend many years ago. I and a friend of mine were camping atop a mesa north of Study Butte. We had just woken up after an all nighter road cruising. I had just put on a pair of sandals and was talking to my friend when I noticed an earless lizard about 15 feet away doing the usual pushups. Apparently we were a threat to his territory and he intended to tell us about it. Suddenly, no doubt with great resolve and unimaginable courage, he raced up to me and bit me on my foot, then scampered away! My friend and I nearly collapsed from laughing so hard.

It is not just the thrill of the hunt and finding the beautiful herps of west Texas, it is also such moments that make it so irresistable.... May you all find an embarrassed atrox tonight!

--Henry W.

Earless lizards are the best. I've seen some brave ones before, but NOTHING comparable to your toe biter.

I'd love to hear the lizard's version of that story. I can just imagine him sitting around with his lizard friends and bragging about chasing off the humans. He no doubt ended the story with a warning aobut how awful humans taste.