Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Me and a buddy of mine have talked about going to South Carolina since we were kids. After years of talking about it we finally went this week end and we were not disapointed at all. We found 4 spotted turtles, 3 water Moccosins, 4 box turtles, countless eastern mud turtles, skinks, anoles, red belly water snakes, yellow belly turtles, and some starnge amphibian.

SPOTTEDS!!! What the heck is this thing? I thought a siren.

Found the box turtle in the road and moved him to a safer place.

Water snakes

Cool little skink. All of these herps were found in one day. It had rained the night before and everything was out. A great trip and I can't wait to go back!!!!!!

That's a lotta herps, looks like you timed it just right!
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Todd Hughes

The salamander is not a siren but an Amphiuma...TC

Thanks I have never seen one. Are they rare?

Actually, they are quite commen but fossorial and seldom encountered...TC

That was the first that I have ever seen but I live in a very urban area. It was a cool find and an interesting animal to say the least. Thanks again.

That's a cool find! Did you find it under something?

You should be careful handling Amphiuma. They don't usually bite, but they can bite savagely. They clamp on with their powerful jaws and then spin/twist/thrash violently. I haven't ever seen it happen, but I've seen someone who had scars from it!
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

Here is exactly how we found it. We didn't want to handle it because we didn't know what it was. It was placed on the log to get a better pic.

iT did open it's mouth once.I know that large amphibians do bite.I made sure I grabbed the tail end.

what county were you in????

Hey Bob,
We were in Carteret county. I live in bucks county not to far from you. I drive passed the speed shop almost daily.
Tom