Reptile & Amphibian Forums

When I started this I felt a little guilty there weren't more reptiles in the posts... but since I do this this from Photobucket I can view the stats of what's looked at and what isn't... the few reptiles I post aren't even in the top 5 viewed... the Land Snail is the most popular... go figure. At least I get to see there is a very silent majority out there as well.

The Spotted Salamander in this post is one of a few I've found wandering through my yard... this one is now one of my pets... the Showy Ladys Slipper is the other rare orchid of Maine I mentioned in my last post found growing with the Rams Head Ladys Slipper... wish the picture did it justice... it's one of those things that just has to be seen imo.

Anyway, only one more post after this... glad the stats show they are being enjoyed... but come on... the Land Snail?

Gerry

>>…The Spotted Salamander in this post is one of a few I've found…

Your spotted salamander photo prompted an interesting (well, to me, at least) question: there are (spotted) salamanders and (spotted) turtles, that have evolved with remarkably similar coloration and (cryptic?) pattern. Why hasn't a similar-looking snake evolved? Speckled kings are just that, not spotted. There's maybe a western racer that could be broadly described as spotted, but not with the sane coloration. Am I overlooking an obvious spotted snake? If not, any thoughts on why not?

It is an interesting question... sadly I've never given a moments thought to why the various turtles with spots have them... spotted salamanders secrete a toxin from their bodies when alarmed (as do all the mole salamanders) so the spots and brightly colored blotches/bars on them may serve as a "warning" coloration.

I can't think of a single snake that is as obviously brightly spotted as the turtles and salamanders but some that could be called spotted come to mind... hognose, brown snakes, bullsnakes and garters to name a few... perhaps something in the scale structure simply doesn't allow for pigmentation that would produce "true" spots.

What I do know is that this question will be stuck in my head until I can find or think of a plausible answer... thank you very much!

Gerry

Another great post. Enjoy all the pics, wildflowers especially. Keep them coming. RE: spotted snakes, there is the Twin Spotted Rattlesnake, but it doesn't come near the intensity of colors / pattern that the turtle and salamander mentioned do. Frequently the Black Rats in my area can be found with a "motley" type pattern where the dorsal blotches connect, causing a spotted appearance.

Thanks for the positive feedback... I often wonder if it's appropriate to post such things here on the reptile forum but I weigh that misgiving against the Photobucket stats showing most of you aren't looking at the reptiles anyways... at least now that the Ringneck Snake has replaced the Land Snail as the most viewed picture I can sleep at night

Thanks again

Gerry

"Am I overlooking an obvious spotted snake?"

Yes, Shannon's cool spotted blanchardi...

Messin with ya of course..LOL!!!

~Doug

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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

HEHEHEH That has bright yellow spots. LOL

There is also the spotted python but again not bright like the sally.
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BigT
There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. The ignorant can be taught, stupidity is beyond our control.
1.2 P. m. melanoleucus B/W N. J. Northern Pines
1.2 P. d. deppei Mexican Pines
2.2 P. l. lineaticollis Linis or Lined Pines
1.2 P. m. lodingi Black Pines
0.3 P. c. sayi Kingsville X Stillwater red bulls
1.1 Drymarchon melenurus Blacktail Cribo
1.2 D. corais Yellowtail Cribos
1.2 M. s. cheynei Jungle Carpet
2.6 L. p. pyromelana Arizona Mt. Kings
1.1 L. g. californiae B/W Cali kings
0.0.3 M. f. flagellum Eastern Coachwhips
1.2 G. m. bottegoi Western Plated lizards

LOL!,..yeah, It can be fun acting stupid sometimes..,

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

I would say the Land Snail is the last thing I'd be interested in, following that I was going to say the stick until I realized it was an insect..lol..The orchids are gorgeous!

Thanks, the orchids of Maine are my favorites... we have over 50 varieties, many are nondescript greenish blossoms, still unique in form like other orchids though... those I'm not posting simply because... well it's a reptile forum after all.

Glad I didn't post the picture of the stick insect in the bare branches of the small tree I found it in or you'd really be wondering why I would post a picture of branches

Thanks again for looking and the comment

Gerry

Great pics and it's nice to know so many orchids still grow in the wild in the US.

As for posting this is "Field Notes and Observations" nothing to specifically say reptiles only.
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BigT
There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. The ignorant can be taught, stupidity is beyond our control.
1.2 P. m. melanoleucus B/W N. J. Northern Pines
1.2 P. d. deppei Mexican Pines
2.2 P. l. lineaticollis Linis or Lined Pines
1.2 P. m. lodingi Black Pines
0.3 P. c. sayi Kingsville X Stillwater red bulls
1.1 Drymarchon melenurus Blacktail Cribo
1.2 D. corais Yellowtail Cribos
1.2 M. s. cheynei Jungle Carpet
2.6 L. p. pyromelana Arizona Mt. Kings
1.1 L. g. californiae B/W Cali kings
0.0.3 M. f. flagellum Eastern Coachwhips
1.2 G. m. bottegoi Western Plated lizards