Reptile & Amphibian Forums

wild lodingi... I met with a biologist a few weeks ago who has an ongoing lodingi project. This little fellow was awaiting a radio transmitter to become part of the study. They were kind enough to allow me the opportunity to snap a few images prior to his re-release.....

not quite the same as encountering a wild snake out in the woods but you take what you can get......

Great stuff, John. Did you happen to snap any pics of the last third of his body...or perhaps full body shots? I am curious to see what type of pattern he's currently carrying on him. Also, what size was he, what year class, too?
Thanks!!!
--Brian
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--Brian Scott

Yes, would be great to see what the patterning was if any. I have been searching for pics of stock that many have been working with. Fairly diverse.

Thanks for posting that John, I wish we could get updates on the biologist's work. That's a nice lookin' snake!
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Todd Hughes

John,
OUTSTANDING. These are becoming scarcer and scarcer in the wild esp. in Alabama. This study is taking place in the Desoto Natnl. Forest I assume? A friend of mine (not a herper) found a sub-adult lodingi on the outskirts of Theodore Al. where he lives on his way to work one morning about 10 years ago. The second one he saw in 20 years, and he hasn't seen any since. Olive Griffith Stull was right, these truly are one of the 'Vanishing Americans'. Let's all hope enough habitat is preserved for these magnificent snakes.
Mike Collalto

Are eastern pits in trouble? Bulls are still common out here in Texas, but I hear about LA pines and black pines getting rarer and rarer. It'd be heartbreaking if they vanished from the wilds

Love those wild pit images John, and like the Piney, would love to see more.

Larger pics would be especially nice. I typically size my pics at 800x600px @ 72 pixels per inch.

That gives me an image like this:

I posted a reply a few days ago but mentioned something about possibly starting a Pituophis non-profit conservation organization that must have gotten the post pulled. I guess it is time for me to go and read the "rules of posting". I wrongfully assumed that mentioning a not yet formed, non-profit, conservation org would only be seen as a positive move for Pituophis keepers! Live and learn I guess...

I did take images of the snake's ventrum, and posterior body. The pattern was quite visible. There was a lot of reddish colorations diffused into the ground especially at the point where the sides transition into belly.

I think that it fairly safe to suggest that the Pituophis species complex in the east and southeast are in a precarious situation. Credit a loss of suitable habitat via agriculture, residential/commercial development, and poor forest management.

The good news is that new housing starts are down, and many forest managers are starting to understand what the benefits of healthy forest are and what management practices are important (fire!). "Smoky the bear lied, fire is one of the best management tools out there"