I am the primary supplier of herps at the camp where I worked for 9 seasons in the nature lodge. This makes me the most likely person to report on reptiles there since my activities range from scheduled classes to private excursions. Although camp is my best source for herps and equipment, this year I brought a ton of them with me to find the new nature center was already fully stocked (a first), which made for a great comparison of species and exchange of experiences. Here is a list which includes donations, captures and sightings.
2 adult black rat snakes, 1 juvenile
1 adult black racer
3 adult northern water snakes, 1 subadult
1 adult copperhead, 1 juvenile
1 black hognosed snake
1 ringnecked snake
3 worm snakes
1 earth snake
4 box turtles
1 spotted turtle
2 adult painted turtles, 1 juvenile
2 adult cooters, 3 juveniles
2 stinkpot turtles
1 eastern mud turtle
1 gravid female fence lizard
1 male brown anole
2 ground skinks
numerous five-lined skinks
3 grey treefrogs
toads, green frogs, pickerel frog, bullfrog
The racer was injured by the kids who caught it, so I brought it home with my 3 existing snakes. She is blind on one side and has no sense of direction, I have to lead her to the water dish for her to take a drink. (This leads me to think the actual cause of “sudden death” in captive racers is thirst. Because of their temperment they spend all of their time trying to get out or just laying there like the dead, whereas a black rat snake explores and finds a favorite basking or hiding spot.) She also has a previous injury that speaks of a lawnmower. I wouldn’t expect a snake in this shape to last very long, but she takes a good long drink every time and yesterday deposited a dozen eggs! I haven’t successfully hatched eggs before, partly because they have dried out before I discover them, but this time I witnessed them being laid and was able to plant them while they were still soft. They are shaped like tater tots! After 36 hrs they look good and viable. The mother is not aggressive in any way, for which I blame the injury since she was fierce when they brought her in, but being able to hold a racer and pass it around without any trouble is a blessing.
Len
