Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here are a few photos of stuff that we saw in the Christmas mountains a few days before the WTHS/AHS Field trip.

Not many herps were observed as temps were HOT (up to 118 degrees!) and for the most part, all the areas were dry. Coupled with the fact that the moon was rather bright, it is amazing that anything was seen at all.

All animals were legally permitted and held for photos and/or collection.

Habitat (most of these will have my son Nathan in them!):

A few herps from this portion of the trip:
Salvadora hexalepis (obviously DOR - Wildlife Sanctuary):

Crotalus atrox:

Bogertophis subocularis (nice big meal in this little meanie!):

Blond phase Bogertophis subocularis:

For a detailed account of this animal, please see:
http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18135

It was definately the highlight of my son's trip:

The neatest gecko around (more common than most think too. We saw 7 of these little beauties on one cut!):
Coleonyx reticulatus (adult):

Coleonyx reticulatus (juvenile):

In 2005, my buddy Justin found this really nice male on a particular cut in the Christmas mtns.:

So while I cruised the RR looking for Bogeys, he found this nice little female directly across the road from where he found his male 3 years previous:

1:30 am.
Female / 23" SVL / Whopping 34 grams.
Fed on a f/t pink yesterday.

Here is my son with Justin's prize:

Hope you enjoyed!

Happy herpin'...

MP

Very nice Mike. WC blond subocs are cool, and of course the alterna is sweet.
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South Texas Herps

That was a good trip Mike. Blonde suboc, alterna, reticulatus, all on my wishlist. Great post. Chris Drake

Good to see your post and get your email. I was glad to hear that the blonde is doing well. Lucky that you showed up when you did. I was feeling REALLY conflicted about just watching him crawl away into the desert (but what's a non-collector w/o a permit to do?)

I still can't get over y'all seeing seven retics on that one cut. I see them there often, but three in one night is my best.

>>Good to see your post and get your email.

I almost tried to contact you Sunday, but I didn't get to Study Butte until almost 11 pm...figured you'd be asleep.

I drove down 118, then through BBNP back to 385, to find BBNP en fuego. Upon checking the NPS website after I returned, I found they were doing a controlled burn at Panther Junction. However, I think the "control" was missing when it was still burning at midnight!
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

>>I almost tried to contact you Sunday, but I didn't get to Study Butte until almost 11 pm...figured you'd be asleep.

Sorry I missed you.

>>I drove down 118, then through BBNP back to 385, to find BBNP en fuego. Upon checking the NPS website after I returned, I found they were doing a controlled burn at Panther Junction. However, I think the "control" was missing when it was still burning at midnight!

I hadn't heard about that fire. I'll have to check with a couple of my friends that live in the park.

"I still can't get over y'all seeing seven retics on that one cut. I see them there often, but three in one night is my best."

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Lloyd Heilbrunn

Palm Beach Gardens, Fl.

Great trip for sure.Nice blonde and super nice alterna.To bad on the salvadora I sure would like to work with them.

L8r Shannon

that little Bogey puked?

Awesome animals, dude!

Where did you find the little squirt?

Looks like it was a fun trip.

Cheers,

Dusty

Suboc.com

Yeah, I thought you were gonna come down for this one... it was HOT but we had a good time...

Hope all is well...

Happy herpin'...

MP

Great pictures Mike, the blonde suboc and alterna are pretty sweet.
Nathan