Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Mid month, Observed the first neonates of the year, in both mohaves and hogs. The place is already drying up and its a bummer.

One area I hoped would reveal something interesting was the only rain pool with tadpoles in it, on the hog site. Unless in rains more, the pool will dry up before the tadpoles metamorph and I will miss the opportunity to see if hognose are attacked to that area. So far, there is no attraction, as no hogs or hog tracks have been seen in the immediate area.

Yesterday, neonates of the year, one from last year and nice adult female were observed.

Of interest is, they are larger then hatchling size. This is common, its rare with observe true hatchlings of any species OUT. The do grow some before visiting the dangerous world of the sun. I have seen a few 4 inchers, but most are in this 6 inch range.
I did encounter a problematic event, One hog may have been observed twice, which occurs, but it was over 200 yards apart and 1 1/2 hours apart. When I go back, I will take exact measurements. But from the photos, it appears to be the same animal. It may well have been 300 yards. Some speedy arse snake. Also observed a box turtle up in a bush. An arboreal box turtle. hahahahahahaha

Thats some very interesting reportings. What part of the year do you start seeing less and less of them out? Basically when do they start slacking off? I would think most of them are active until the prey lays down for the winter?

I have to admit though the turtle in the tree bit really made me laugh. How high up was it?

Will

Hi Will, the last hog of the year last season 2012, was dec 31. A tiny 4 1/2 neonate that had just consumed a lizard. I found it on my way to a new years party.

Hmmmmmmmmmm I have a hard time with your question, as you have several assumptions. Or it reads like that.

The prey is always down, as hogs dig their prey up. They are not about catching anything that hops or runs. May even have a hard time catching a wary egg.

So far, lizards are their primary food item, and they are active all year. Oh except days with snow on the ground and even some of those days.

Toads here normally only surface when is wet and warm, hogs also dig them up.

In this habitat, there is little and I mean little, activity until the rains, I found only a few tracks of any snake species, in the months of Jan, feb, march, april, may and june. I observed about the same for each month. I did observe a snake here and there, but no meaningful surface activity in any of those months, On this site.

The reality is, they were doing life events, pairing, breeding, nesting etc. During april, may, june and july. Without surface activity. The proof is in the beginning of the neonate wave. Cheers