That's what I've come to calling them, even though they have only been visually sexed, not physically, I am 100% sure these two are female siblings sharing the same habitat with two separate microhabitats, one on either side of the creek. They are no doubt both adult females that are breeders. I only saw one female today, doing something I haven't seen them do, thermoregulating under cover. I have always seen them in full sun or under trees but open, using the sun filtering through to heat up or shade to cool down. This girl was nearly completely hidden under tall grass just outside her den site. I am now guessing they do this a lot, especially when I thought they were not around! But I usually look very thoroughly for them in both their shared spaces and separate den sites. She "sensed" me almost immediately, although I was frozen in place, I managed to get off 4 quick crappy shots before she descended. She didn't bolt, but purposefully fled. I don't know if this means anything to you guys that haven't seen them in the field, but they can explode to escape velocity like a coachwhip. Slow to start but watch out for the train! I notice that she is sporting what appears to be a "love bite" on her head and neck area, but it looks like it is healing nicely. I bet she is cooking eggs right now, she looked very plump! I don't feel I anthropomorphize these snakes, but have you ever had that feeling you were being watched, where the hair on your neck stands up? I believe she sensed my presence, one way or another, although I absolutely know she couldn't see me. I also believe they are the most intelligent snakes in the country, along with the whip snakes. I haven't seen the two together this year but I think it was Feb. last year when they were gigging frogs together, lol! Anyway, I'm gonna name them something, 'cause I can't keep Texans but they have really grown on me these last 4 years. I am sure they are older than this, but this is how long I have known them, and the first year here I witnessed a pair copulating, so I know these girls are at least 7 or 8.I am also setting up some game trail cameras to see if I can record more feeding events, hatchlings emerging, or shared behavior. Sorry for the crappy shots, she wasn't cooperative today!
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Todd Hughes
