Here are some finds from 2007 that I never got around to posting, so I figured I’d get them up before the spring season really heats up. I didn’t take many dedicated herping trips last year (mainly casual roadcruising for a quick fix), but I was mostly pleased with those that I did take.
One exception to that rule was western Oklahoma! I didn’t have the luxury of planning to be there during better than average conditions, but I expected to find more than I did. I always enjoy heading west because I don’t see these critters in my local area; they haven’t been seen around here for a number of years now:
This one was from a red soil area, and had a striking ground color to match it, but the color was subdued when the photo session began:
Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum)
I’d like to visit the western OK panhandle to see Phrynosoma modestum (relict population).
This behemoth was crossing the road, and no, it didn’t appreciate me moving it to a safer area:
Common Snapper (Chelydra serpentina)
It’s always a treat to see these attractive snakes, especially in such a seemingly hostile environment; this one may be a western record for OK (though I’m sure they occur farther west in some riparian corridors):
Rough Greensnake (Opheodrys aestivus)
Living examples of this animal have continued to elude me, at least in Oklahoma:
Kansas Glossy Snake (Arizona e. elegans).....do they pose like that in real life, LOL.
That one came from an endless sea of wheat agriculture, where they seem to adapt fairly well (the other option being "extirpated" ).
I also found this ‘sauga coming from a wheat field, but there was more natural habitat (grassland / rock outcrops) a half-mile away:
Western Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus tergeminus)
I have found a handful of ‘saugas in similar settings, but never too far away from what would be considered more hospitable land.
In July I took a trip to the upper TX coast to visit family, and of course to visit some of my seminal herping grounds. Time was limited, even more so now that I have a neonate of my own, but after he was tucked into bed, I slipped away to find some creatures of the night.
Some could be found right outside the front door:
Rio Grande Chirping Frog (Syrrhophus cystignathoides campi)
Tiny little invaders that are a pain to track down by call. I finally figured out that it was much easier just to walk along the foundation and look for little scampering objects.
Green Tree Frogs were out in force:
I spent some time walking areas that looked like this:
I found several cottonmouths (hard plastic leggings and thick boots give me a warm fuzzy):
Western Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma)
I also saw a handful of these (regrettably, I didn’t take the time for in situ photos):
Western Lesser Siren (Siren intermedia nettingi)
They make great aquarium subjects!
I also saw what I am 90% certain was Amphiuma tridactylum, but since I was using a fluorescent wand at the time, I didn’t get the greatest look at it.....should have used the spotlight to get a positive ID before trying to dipnet it! When dealing with Siren, it is best to dipnet them as quickly as possible, because most I have encountered are overly light-shy. Amphiumas on the other hand don’t seem nearly as bothered by having a spotlight directly on them. Amphiuma would be a noteworthy find there because it would represent a western range extension (albeit not a terribly surprising one).
This garter was crossing the road during a downpour at around 2 a.m.:
Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis s. sirtalis)
Sirtalis garters as a whole are not common in TX, but at least along the upper coast, they are a fairly regular sight where you find them. That one will probably turn out to be a very red adult.
Drove a loop through the BNWR and snapped a couple of pics:
Gators creep me out. It’s one thing to swim with them in the clear spring runs of FL, but I never feel relaxed when wading in a murky coastal swamp!
Some Wood Storks:
In June I met up with Terry Cox to do some herping in the Ouachita Mountains. The daytime highs were up there at that time, so we didn’t have a lot of luck in the field; the better part of the day was spent watching a Rocky marathon, and talking herps.
The evening roadcruising was decent the night after Terry arrived. Despite several trips to the area in the past, I had never seen a Ouachita corn, so it was good to finally come across some.
Here’s a valley habitat pic:
Some corns:
Pantherophis guttatus if you ask me. Terry found a large DOR, right at about 5’, quite the beast....I should have photo’ed it.
Also found this little thing crossing a valley road:
Scarlet Snake (Cemophora coccinea)
Terry found this not-so-attractive pyg that had recently met its end:
Sistrurus miliarius streckeri)
Up in the mountains, the cruising was slower and the winds were harsh, but there were still a couple of snakes out and about:
Ratsnake (Pantherophis obsoletus)
I love seeing rats kinked up on the road.
This Speckled King was zipping across the road:
(Lampropeltis getulus holbrooki)
And a nice looking Prarie King:
(Lampropeltis c. calligaster)
This ripe milk was found the following morning:
(Lampropeltis triangulum)
This bruin wasn’t interested in a photo session:
Good sized cottonmouth:
We saw quite a few other herps, but I didn’t bother with pics.
Here are some pics of random critters found in my local area. I had a fairly good year for Timber rattlers, though I didn’t take many pics:
Grainy or not, I would have liked that pic if only I hadn’t cast a shadow.
This yearling was the first of ’07:
Another road shot:
(Crotalus horridus)
I found this smelly family coming out of a roadside culvert, and followed them from a safe distance:
Following mom:
Later that evening I came across another mom with litter; a few of them decided to stay on the road:
Ugly or cute?
Last summer produced the most rainfall that has been recorded for this area, and some of the less frequently seen anurans were regularly encountered:
Hurter’s Spadefoot (Scaphiopus hurteri)
I also saw Crayfish Frogs throughout the summer, though always DOR. This one was found on the outskirts of the DFW metroplex on the opening weekend of dove season; it had much more yellow than any I have seen locally:
(Rana areolata)
Plenty of Dwarf American Toads around:
Copperheads, as usual, were plentiful:
(Agkistrodon contortrix)
Quite a few cottonmouths as well:
I found an area that was loaded with Painted Buntings, but this was the best photo I could get away with:
Last spring I found a gravid Coal Skink, and kept her until she dropped. She laid 11 eggs, 9 of which were viable. Crickets in the female’s cage pierced two of the eggs before I removed them, so only 7 hatched.
I snapped some quick pics when I released them:
Eumeces anthracinus pluvialis)
I saw a lot of Box turts, both Three-toed and Ornate, but only took a couple of pics:
Are they supposed to do this in October?
Three-toed Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina triunguis)
I also had a good year for Western Pygs, considering the amount of time that I spent looking for them:
By far the most exciting discovery last year was found an entire 3 miles from my place. I have spent a lot of time and gas $ searching for these things 100+ miles from home.....presumably to have a better chance at finding one (though all I come up with are DORs). This one was found on private property in Post Oak savannah habitat, coiled up next to a barn:
“Dusty” Hognose (Heterodon nasicus “gloydi”)
The last record from this area was in 1964. Western Hogs are rare finds on their eastern periphery, so I was ecstatic to learn of a population. The lady who found it has given permission to look for them on her land. This spring/summer I will have drift arrays set up on her property, so hopefully that will prove successful.
In October we had a small NAFHA gathering in the Kisatchie NF of western Louisiana. We didn’t find a lot, due to unseasonably warm daytime temps, but it was nice to meet some of the forum members and herp a new area.
There were a lot of toads around the campsite. Habitat pic:
The so-called East Texas Toad:
(Bufo velatus)
I found this little ribbonsnake searching a puddle for a morning snack:
I set out a couple of turtle traps and a lot of minnow traps, but no turtles or pudmuppies. I did find A LOT of Razorback Musk Turtle shells scattered in the woods near the bayou in the above pic.
Scott and I walked a longleaf pine tract hoping to find, you guessed it, a Louisiana Pine Snake, but the only snake to be seen was a coachwhip that I startled.....and had no chance in hell of catching.
John made the best find of the trip in the form of a young coralsnake:
Texas Coralsnake (Micrurus fulvius tener)
The even black speckling is unlike that of the corals that I grew up with along the TX coast.
Lindsay brought along a Kisatchie corn for photos:
I had hoped to find one myself, but that didn’t materialize. I did find the ugliest Buttermilk Racer on record, however. Normally they are quite unique and attractive snakes, so I’ll spare you what the ugly ones look like.
That’s about it; if you made it this far, hope you enjoyed.
Shane
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