Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just thought I would see if anyone is heading to Scottsdale for the IHS. I'm looking forward to spending a little time in the field, enjoying time with my family who'll no doubt be hanging out at the pool while I speak (Atheris nitschei...thanks again Al for the pics; I did use two of them so your name will be proudly displayed!) and attend "boring reptile talks" and seeing old friends that I haven't seen in quite some time....should be a fun week. If anyone here is going let me know.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

...I'll be in Costa Rica the following week. Life is rough.

Have fun though!! I'm planning a trip to AZ for next summer.

Matt

did you find any Massasauga's this year? I drove through the swamp the other day and was tempted to stop, it was hot and after a day of rain so I passed on the skeeters. Let me know next time you make it up here. Oh yeah, why are you selling your lachesis?
-T

I had a conflict, so I went out the weekend before(Memorial Day). It was very dry this year. There is a study being done in the swamp, by SUNY ESF. They had only found 1 snake as of Memorial Day.

I never heard whether they saw any on the UHA hike.

I'm just trying to thin things out. I have too much going on with CR trips, the C. acutus study, and my job...BUT, I am taking my female muta to Ripa in a couple months, and doing a breeding loan.

That's all. Ciao.

MCH

I'm surprised they have only found one snake, SUNY ESF has been doing research for years, and are very knowledgeable with that species and where to find them. I had the pleasure of meeting and talking to some of them, nice folks. Let me know if you get a week-end off, I do know of some areas from biologists that used to work in the swamp.
-T

...it was the cold, dry Spring. We had rain early, but then in April/May it was relatively dry and cool. Even Memorial Day was dry. The snakes are there, but were just underground. Even the rattlesnakes in the Catskills, were late in emerging and arriving at their summer foraging areas.

Whats more interesting, is I have info on several historical massasauga sites, in Western NY, that'd i'd like to explore, more than where we know they occur.

ESF, does studies, but its periodic. Glenn Johnson is the one person I've seen who has done dedicated massasauga studies, but the others seem to be more sporadic thesis projects for grad students. How one gets any useful data out of studying the snakes for one year, is beyond me. Bill Brown, is one person, who amazes me with the dedication to one population of snakes....that's a unique thing.

..snakes last year. So, again, the area wasn't the reason..it was the dry, cool spring.

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It's what you learn AFTER you know it all that counts!

Terry Phillip
Curator of Reptiles
Black Hills Reptile Gardens
Rapid City, SD.

www.reptilegardens.com

My pleasure Rob! Wish I could be there too. I have to cover the office while the boss is away...bummer.

Al

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"Fighting on the forums is like competing in the Special Olympics, even if you win, you're still retarded."

DH June 2005

I'll be there! (have to, because I'm an advisor)
Should be a blast!
Randal

I am thinking about going but will probably end up just staying down in Tucson in the field instead.

I will be there. First IHS in over 10 years. I really look forward to it. I also plan to come equipped with camera. Can anyone tell me some good hunting areas around Phoenix/Scottsdale?

Thanks,
John