Joe (Joecop), and I planned a herping trip

in southern Maryland last weekend. Although it started

off a little rough for me, D.C. traffic and then mechanical trouble with my truck, it all turned out well. We didn't see any of our target species, Eastern Kings, but we did see some interesting behavior from some other more common species, the Black Ratsnake. I've seen this with other species on the west coast, but this was my first experience with a Ratsnake, and with not one, but several snakes in less than an hours time.....

First off, Joe, with one of the days finds.



And a few photos with my, ah natural, Goergia boots in the background! LOL!!







For the entomologists in the crowd, we flipped a rock and

found this spider, species unknown, in it's burrow, protecting it's eggs.



And the highlight of the day! Joe found three Black Rats basking

in the rocks within a foot of each other! Nice work Joe!









If you look closely, you can see the head of one Ratsnake and the body of another.





If you look just left of the Ratsnake stretched out on the crevice, to the first opening, you'll see the snakes in the previous pictures.





Sorry for my point and shoot, sub par photos. Joe I'll see you Saturday!

-Phil
-----
Work is the curse of

the drinking class!

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