First snakes of spring.

[skinheaddave]

So Tamara and I went out looking for critters today with a couple of our friends. The first hour or so went by with nothing too exciting being found and then Tamara spotted the first garter snake of the year poking his head out from the stonework of a bridge. Later, we found two garter snakes mating and another three males within 20 feet of the pair -- one being within a foot of them. Lastly, we spotted a little brown snake (I still have to stop myself from calling them Dekay snakes). Other than that, lots of flies, spiders, water striders (still haven't managed a good shot of one) and other assorted insects. Ain't spring grand!

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Crotalus]

Very nice! Went to Narcisse today despite a rainy cloudy day. Found 7 alive ones (among all dead ones which were ALOT).
Pictures coming later on!

 

[skinheaddave]

Very nice! Went to Narcisse today despite a rainy cloudy day. Found 7 alive ones (among all dead ones which were ALOT).
Pictures coming later on!

Nice. Are the dead ones on the road or are these more "natural" deaths? I'm hoping to find some L.triangulum this year locally before we move, as a friend found one years ago but I haven't seen one since. Once we move, there is supposed to be a local population of E.obsoletta somewhere so that will be cool. Are you guys finding only T.s.parietalis or are there other ssp. out there?

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Crotalus]

Nice. Are the dead ones on the road or are these more "natural" deaths? I'm hoping to find some L.triangulum this year locally before we move, as a friend found one years ago but I haven't seen one since. Once we move, there is supposed to be a local population of E.obsoletta somewhere so that will be cool. Are you guys finding only T.s.parietalis or are there other ssp. out there?

Cheers,
Dave

They were freshly killed ones in the den and I suspect the ravens and crows did that. The others, which were alot, were probably the ones that didnt cope with the hibernation and were also found in the dens (esp. in one of the dens). They havent started to migrate yet from the dens, they do that after the mating (THAT should be fun to see!). I will post some pix on Sheris thread tomorrow after I get my cord to the cam!
I only saw parietalis but there should be T. radix there aswell. i suspect most are parietalis though. The only that separates them (as far as I know) are the stripes location so you need a field guide to compare them to.
Are you going to try find catenatus? That would be awesome to see in the wild!

 

[Sheri]

I should have added to this thread - sorry 'bout that.

From the local MB herp forum, Saskatchewan found their first snakes over the weekend... so here it begins!

We hope on Sunday to go to the desertish region here (about 2 hours away) and look for Heterodon nasicus nasicus... though not as easy to find, but would be awesome to see them!

Then, as soon as possible, to Leader, SK to the C. viridis dens...

 

[skinheaddave]

Are you going to try find catenatus? That would be awesome to see in the wild!

They aren't local to where we're from, but Tamara, John (kugellager) and I took a trip up to the Bruce Peninsula to find one last summer. After much fruitless searching, we finally found one while road cruising -- a nice sized female. I hooked it off the road and it went on its way. It was definitely cool to see one in the wild and it was one more off the list. Oddly enough, we have yet to find E.obsoletta in the wild up here, though we did find one in Virginia when visiting Wade (wade).

Cheers,
Dave

 

[skinheaddave]

Went on another walk today. A couple T.sirtalis and quite a few Notophthalmus viridescens.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Galapoheros]

I found this baby Blotched Water Snake (N. erythrogaster transversa) while I was coming out of my driveway a few nights ago. But there are no creeks close to me. My neighbor has about 100 trees he waters every day. I can hear toads over there at night. Strange to find that water snake in my yard. Visited my parents some weeks ago and found these in their dirty pool (gulf coast toad). And there's a Narrowmouthed toad I came across.....but this is Texas.

 

[PA7R1CK]

Very cool! I need to start doing some snake searching. I love the water snake very cool find

 

[skinheaddave]

That is a beautiful water snake. The toads I can't help but laugh at and think of the cane toad situation in Costa Rica (toads toads everywhere).

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Brian S]

So Dave, How bad did you get musked? The Garters around here are quite the muskers LOL

 

[skinheaddave]

So Dave, How bad did you get musked? The Garters around here are quite the muskers LOL

Same up here. You pretty much assume you're getting it bad if you reach out to grab one.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Alissa]

I love seeing herps in the field The newt picture especially made my day, I looove newts. I'm inspired to go exploring.

 

[YouLosePayUp]

Hey Dave do you have Massassauga rattlers that way or are they more south/mainly states side??

 

[skinheaddave]

Trevor,

There's a population closer to Lake Erie (Wainfleet Bog) and then another one further West. They are both very restricted areas, though. If you want larger populations you either go to the States or up to the Bruce Peninsula/East shore of Lake Huron.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Galapoheros]

Got on the bike tonight for a quick snake run and found this in the middle of the road. Going to let it go later. Great Plains Rat Snake (Elaphe emoryi emoryi). Never tried to bite me. Never struck. These are usually pretty defensive. I had a hard time getting it in my belt pouch.

 

[skinheaddave]

Wow! What a beautiful snake. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Conan]

That is a nice find. I wish i could find another great plains rat snake. I used to have one but it was to agressive so i let it go. Beautiful snake, congratulations.

 

[pitpider]

i went out around my house and found a baby black rat snake still in juv.colors, fast to bite and super fast.
neat little guy though.