Reptile & Amphibian Forums

You had a much better trip than most folks. I've seen caravans of 8-10 cars that come down for a week and get skunked. You did well.

its a boy for sure and a nice one too I hope some of the luck has rubbed off on me now that I just got my annual license for this year in anticipation...
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Cheers
Lateralis
"I would rather be precisely wrong than approximately right"
Marion "Doc" Ford

of the specimens I've studied, male's tails average 28.76% of total body length and females average 19.83%. Hope that helps some of you folks in the field.

>>I mostly ran across Trymorphadon out there. Is that a common snake in that area?
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Are you talkin' lyre snakes or green rats here? And which locality? Both are fairly common locally, but are seldom seen unless you spend a lot of time in the area.

Here's a pic of a subadult female I saw last summer. Notice the interesting scale pattern of the head scales TC

You pushed me into it. Here is a pic of one I keep. Not my best photo ever but... She loves that tree.

>>You pushed me into it. Here is a pic of one I keep. Not my best photo ever but... She loves that tree.
>>

Guilty as accused..haha!

Why do you suppose they only move a couple times a day (in general), early evening and early morning? How come they don't move during the day or late at night? Where do you suppose they are when they're not moving?

Here she is again, fresh caught. Already docile

TC

With the curtrent warm weather, even my captive snakes are acting differently. They have started to be active throughout the day.

In what range do they keep their baby pattern for two yrs, instead of just one.. ??

We're having a mild winter in n. MI too. I have some snakes that I'm just starting to cool down, my guttatus and some babies.

I'm having a little trouble getting into the woods and wet areas to cut brush and wood because the water and ground aren't freezing this year. Our big companies aren't cutting timber for the same reason. It's too wet. Ever think about how that affects humidity? My Herp Room is more humid this winter.

I'm thinking I might see a snake this month if we get a big enough thaw. It's supposed to get to 45*F later this week. I'll be looking. The flooding could chase something to the surface. Let me know if you spot any greenies this winter. I'd like to know if anything starts moving in AZ besides on FR's property..haha TC

I'll be monitoring humidity this season as well. Its now been over 80 days without rain down here and I've been wondering if thats part of the reason for low activity despite high temps. To me its very probable that humidity is a factor. The first winter rain will see me hitting it hard.
Haven't found confirmation yet for the Santa Rita's Triaspis holding their pattrn until 2 years. Feaster: if your reading these posts, time to weigh in.
TC, I'll be sure to let you know when I see my first activity of the new year.

>>I'll be monitoring humidity this season as well. Its now been over 80 days without rain down here and I've been wondering if thats part of the reason for low activity despite high temps. To me its very probable that humidity is a factor. The first winter rain will see me hitting it hard.
>>Haven't found confirmation yet for the Santa Rita's Triaspis holding their pattrn until 2 years. Feaster: if your reading these posts, time to weigh in.
>>TC, I'll be sure to let you know when I see my first activity of the new year.

Mark, I'm not positive they keep their pattern two yrs, but suspect it. What that means, I'm not sure, but I believe the SR triaspis are hardier than most.

It seemed very dry to me also when I was there a couple weeks ago. I usually roam the stream beds when I'm there looking for riparian species. I didn't see anything except a couple tree lizards, not even a frog. Not much moisture was apparent. I think that helps discourage herps from coming to the surface.

Last August I spent some time in Madera Canyon photographing the lushness and wondering about how often green rats and other species use the shelter and water there. I sometimes look up into the overhanging trees imagining vine snakes, greenies, or racers overhead. At one time vines may have been there. Eventually we'll know more about the green rats, and if they move into the moister areas seasonally, or whatever.

Cheers....

Ive noticed that wiht mine as well, early morning, late afternoon activity then nothing. Temps are in the high 70's with mine, no heat supplied so its ambient temps for him. I would bet that they stay fairly active in the winter but are not seen because not many are out taking notes.
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Cheers
Lateralis
"I would rather be precisely wrong than approximately right"
Marion "Doc" Ford

Their behavior is actually a lot like the moellendorffi I talked about in another strand. The red-headed rats try to avoid cold and dessication by brumating in winter. They are actually farther south than our green rats, but conditions are similar. I don't think we're going to see very many in winter, but some day I hope to find out more. Maybe some winter rains would change their behavior, but like you said not many are looking (Mark being an exception).