Gila Monster on the Front Porch

Dovey

Dovey

Arachnobaron
Joined
Apr 9, 2016
Messages
541
It's never a dull moment here in Arizona. I love this guy--absolutely beautiful! For scale, realize that each of those tiles is 12in by 12in.

IMG_2108.JPG
IMG_2112.JPG
 
SonsofArachne

SonsofArachne

Arachnoangel
Joined
Dec 10, 2017
Messages
961
Lucky. Love gila monsters. The thing that sucks about NE Ohio is the coolest wild herp you ever see is a snapping turtle.
 
SonsofArachne

SonsofArachne

Arachnoangel
Joined
Dec 10, 2017
Messages
961
basin79 said:
Having wild snappers nearby sucks???
Click to expand...
No, not having anything as cool sucks. I mean once a while you see a black rat snake or some other cool snake or turtle. But 99% of the time around where I live it's a garter snake or painted turtle. Snappers are fairly common too.
 
basin79

basin79

ArachnoGod
Active Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2013
Messages
5,893
SonsofArachne said:
No, not having anything as cool sucks. I mean once a while you see a black rat snake or some other cool snake or turtle. But 99% of the time around where I live it's a garter snake or painted turtle.
Click to expand...
I suppose you just end up taking for granted the things around you. A wood pigeon is about as exciting as it gets near me.
 
weibkreux

weibkreux

Arachnoknight
Joined
Feb 26, 2018
Messages
232
Meanwhile, in my area here in PH we have monitor lizards roaming nearby and some flying dragon lizards on the trees. All too fast to take photos, running the moment they spot you.
 
spookyvibes

spookyvibes

Arachnobaron
Joined
Nov 28, 2017
Messages
366
Dovey

Dovey

Arachnobaron
Joined
Apr 9, 2016
Messages
541
Let me tell you, I'm a lot more excited to see this guy on the front porch than I am when it's a diamondback! Yes, they have hissy, nasty temperaments, but if you leave them alone, they go their own way, lumbering off in a stately manner, exhibiting great chagrin that you would have the audacity to stare at them or poked at them with your camera! The rattlesnakes do the same thing, but they tend to do it fast--and they present much more of a threat in the meantime, feeling (as they do) trapped by the three walls of the front porch.

We've also seen an absolutely stunning little Sonoran coral snake there in the evening, but they are gone so quickly, there's never a chance for a photograph. Coral snakes are probably our most secretive herp, and sightings are terribly rare. It feels very special. I think they're the most attractive snake in North America.
 
antinous

antinous

Pamphopharaoh
Old Timer
Joined
Mar 28, 2013
Messages
1,668
I envy you...as a herper I’ve always wanted to visit Arizona as there’s nothing over here in Illinois (other than the amazing Timber rattlesnake, but they’re pretty rare). Do you often come across any venomous snakes?
 
draconisj4

draconisj4

Arachnobaron
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Messages
455
So cool! All I ever find on my porch are frogs, oh so many snails and once a salamander. The frogs can be exciting though, sometimes they hop straight into the house and then it's a mad chase to catch them before the cat does.
 
weibkreux

weibkreux

Arachnoknight
Joined
Feb 26, 2018
Messages
232
Froggy

Froggy

Sitting outside when this little friend stopped in front of me. Can anyone identify him/her?

Saw this frog last night while I'm sitting outside. First time to see one.
 
Dovey

Dovey

Arachnobaron
Joined
Apr 9, 2016
Messages
541
Phormic28 said:
I envy you...as a herper I’ve always wanted to visit Arizona as there’s nothing over here in Illinois (other than the amazing Timber rattlesnake, but they’re pretty rare). Do you often come across any venomous snakes?
Click to expand...
All the time! But I am about venomous snakes the way I am about tarantulas... Give them space and respect, and they'll go quietly on their way. The only time there is grief is when one of our terriers comes across a rattlesnake. We have lost a dog to a rattlesnake bite and spent many thousands of dollars on Veterinary bills when others have been bitten. It sounds terrible, but that is the cost of doing business in the desert. We are intruders in their habitat, and terriers have such profound predator instincts that they can't really be trained off of attacking a snake. We have exceptionally good snake fencing around the dog areas, which keeps down the conflicts. Sadly, it doesn't prevent them entirely.

As for human interactions, we just keep our heads about us and don't panic irrationally. You have to remember that the snake is a lot more fearful, and rightly so, than you are!
 
basin79

basin79

ArachnoGod
Active Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2013
Messages
5,893
Dovey said:
All the time! But I am about venomous snakes the way I am about tarantulas... Give them space and respect, and they'll go quietly on their way. The only time there is grief is when one of our terriers comes across a rattlesnake. We have lost a dog to a rattlesnake bite and spent many thousands of dollars on Veterinary bills when others have been bitten. It sounds terrible, but that is the cost of doing business in the desert. We are intruders in their habitat, and terriers have such profound predator instincts that they can't really be trained off of attacking a snake. We have exceptionally good snake fencing around the dog areas, which keeps down the conflicts. Sadly, it doesn't prevent them entirely.

As for human interactions, we just keep our heads about us and don't panic irrationally. You have to remember that the snake is a lot more fearful, and rightly so, than you are!
Click to expand...
It's not often I have to explain a rating but this is one of those times. The "love" is for your absolutely fantastic attitude to the wildlife you're surrounded with. Realising you're the intruder.

If I could give 2 ratings, "sad" would be there too. I'm both a dog owner and lover and have lost 2 dogs before (in old age). For me there's nowt more gutting.
 
weibkreux

weibkreux

Arachnoknight
Joined
Feb 26, 2018
Messages
232
Phormic28 said:
and tarantulas and snakes and pretty much everything I’d want to see in the wild
Click to expand...
Too bad, putting up malls is the trend in my country instead of nature parks. Room for wild animals are getting smaller and smaller. :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top