I decided that this gracious invite by Travis Taggart for the KHS was something that I had to do. I went to their annual meeting last year and had such a blast with these awesome people, that the lure of herping with them was more than I could stand. I formulated a plan to herp with Psyon and share the drive. I headed out last Thursday to Iowa, the unknown herping Mecca. We did some herping there that night, and Friday morning before heading to that boring “Ocean of Grass”. I want to warn all of you up front. Kansas isn’t nearly as good as Florida, Texas or SoCal. So keep that in mind for your future plans. I’ll preface the rest of the post with an apology for all the lame herps in Kansas, but it’s as far west as a LECH like me can go with only a few days to spare.
I’ll start off with snakes that we saw. These are not in any way chronologically ordered. It’s just a hodgepodge, so if you were there once again I’m sorry. The boringness of Kansas has me reeling. Once again don’t go to Kansas, if you can avoid it.
Head shot
Western Worm Snake - Carphophis vermis
We got to see plenty of these guys. Thanks Chad!
Milk Snake - Lampropeltis triangulum syspila
This little juvie Copperhead was nice to see. It has been at least two years since I’ve seen a juvie Copperhead.
Copperhead - Agkistrodon contortrix
This garter had a huge bolus, that it luckily didn’t regurge. These red-sideds out in Kansas have some brilliant colors.
Another equally well fed red sided, decided that Psyon had the right flavor.
Common Garter Snake - Thamnophis sirtalis
I struck out on these back home last year where they are actually much nicer looking. This is sadly the ugliest Prairie King I’ve ever seen…
Prairie Kingsnake - Lampropeltis calligaster
Joe is calling these Gophersnakes… I’m calling them Bullsnakes though!
Pituophis catenifer
This snake is hands down the finest example of Lampropeltis I’ve ever seen anywhere! Man Kansas grates on me. Pictures aren’t doing it justice, not at all. It’s best observed in sunlight.
They more commonly looked like this beauty.
Speckled Kingsnake - Lampropeltis getula holbrooki
This pair were seen together and quickly created a “buzz” throughout the group.
En Situ
Not En Situ at all… This is a yawn, and not an aggressive behavior.
Western Massasauga Sistrurus catenatus tergeminus
I think there are more of these in Kansas than there are bugs.
Ringneck Snake - Diadophis punctatus ssp.
These were fairly common as well. I flipped one under a cow patty.
Lined Snake - Tropidoclonion lineatum
This snake was a county record, and one of my favorites to see on this trip.
Graham's Crayfish Snake - Regina grahamii
Quite of few of these were found, and had their pound of flesh from me. Pingleton aptly named them the “prairie mambas”. These are as nice as I’ve seen, and I had just seen some racers before leaving home.
Common as dirt back home, these are more of a big deal in Kansas. This beauty made me pay for the pleasure as well…
Western Rat Snake - Elaphe obsoleta
What would a snake post be without this little slug eater.
Brown Snake- Storeria dekayi
These snakes are the hardest to photo that I’ve ever come across.
Flathead Snake - Tantilla gracilis
Sick of Snakes? Yeah I know how lame is this place. Lizards then?
This one was found miles out in the Flint Hills, and it wasn’t happy about it’s detention for photos.
Eastern Collared Lizard - Crotaphytus collaris
These guys are all over and like to bite! Luckily it only feels like the rough side of Velcro.
This is a blue tailed juvenile.
And an adult.
Northern Prairie Skink - Eumeces septentrionalis
This was a find of significant importance. It hasn’t been seen in this area for over 40 years. I was happy to have watched it run around, before being captured.
Lesser Earless Lizard - Holbrookia maculate
These next lizards were a real thrill for me to see and uh… interact with. They are the most tenacious little lizards I’ve ever seen.
One of the decided to drop it’s tail just as we grabbed it. An unfortunate event but I thought the picture was sufficiently interesting to post it.
Great Plains Skink - Eumeces obsoletus
I felt privileged to get to see five of these little anteaters. They’re about as cool as it gets.
Texas Horned Lizard - Phrynosoma cornutum
I’m out of lizards for this trip so how about some amphibians?
Now some of you many know that I adore toads. I can’t get enough of them, and this was a very special treat. Not only were these lifers but I got to see quite a few of them in action!
This calling stuff leads to young kids in love.
Woodhouse’s Toad Bufo woodhousei
Chorus frogs were also singing their song.
Boreal Chorus Frog Pseudacris maculata
Not to be outdone Cope’s Gray Treefrogs were among the chorus.
Cope’s Graytreefrog Hyla chrysoscelis
This thing was an absolute combination of beauty and brawn.
Barred Tiger Salamander Ambystoma mavortium
We even managed to see the prettiest smallmouth I’ve yet to see. Yes in this armpit of American herping, Kansas.
Smallmouth Salamander Ambystoma texanum
Plains Leopard Frog Rana blairi
Well that’s all the amphibs we could muster… What’s left? Oh there’s plenty left. I hope you can make it to the end with me. We had an awesome time, having made the best of such a place as this. Turtles are next.
We found some Foxy Boxies.
Ornate Box Turtle - Terrapene ornate
One wee little painted was found outside the small pond that was a full on chorus. This guy is going to have a tough go of it with so little water around.
Northern Painted Turtle - Chrysemys picta
If you’re still reading this, then I hope you don’t mind that I was fascinated by the native prairie plants that were new to me. I’ll post a couple of quick shots, that would have been better if the winds weren’t tornadic.
Buckeye tree in bloom.
Still here? Are you hating Kansas and thinking of another herping destination yet? I would if I were you. How about some inverts?
I’ll leave you with a couple shots of the crew.
Pingleton, Psyon (Don) and Peter Berg
The bane of herps everywhere, Travis Taggart.
And finally one of the best herpers I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Kansas’ own after we were detained for suspicious activity.
A crappy view of the Flint Hills, to let you know that you really, really want to herp somewhere else.
Thanks for looking,
Justin
I’ll start off with snakes that we saw. These are not in any way chronologically ordered. It’s just a hodgepodge, so if you were there once again I’m sorry. The boringness of Kansas has me reeling. Once again don’t go to Kansas, if you can avoid it.
Head shot
Western Worm Snake - Carphophis vermis
We got to see plenty of these guys. Thanks Chad!
Milk Snake - Lampropeltis triangulum syspila
This little juvie Copperhead was nice to see. It has been at least two years since I’ve seen a juvie Copperhead.
Copperhead - Agkistrodon contortrix
This garter had a huge bolus, that it luckily didn’t regurge. These red-sideds out in Kansas have some brilliant colors.
Another equally well fed red sided, decided that Psyon had the right flavor.
Common Garter Snake - Thamnophis sirtalis
I struck out on these back home last year where they are actually much nicer looking. This is sadly the ugliest Prairie King I’ve ever seen…
Prairie Kingsnake - Lampropeltis calligaster
Joe is calling these Gophersnakes… I’m calling them Bullsnakes though!
Pituophis catenifer
This snake is hands down the finest example of Lampropeltis I’ve ever seen anywhere! Man Kansas grates on me. Pictures aren’t doing it justice, not at all. It’s best observed in sunlight.
They more commonly looked like this beauty.
Speckled Kingsnake - Lampropeltis getula holbrooki
This pair were seen together and quickly created a “buzz” throughout the group.
En Situ
Not En Situ at all… This is a yawn, and not an aggressive behavior.
Western Massasauga Sistrurus catenatus tergeminus
I think there are more of these in Kansas than there are bugs.
Ringneck Snake - Diadophis punctatus ssp.
These were fairly common as well. I flipped one under a cow patty.
Lined Snake - Tropidoclonion lineatum
This snake was a county record, and one of my favorites to see on this trip.
Graham's Crayfish Snake - Regina grahamii
Quite of few of these were found, and had their pound of flesh from me. Pingleton aptly named them the “prairie mambas”. These are as nice as I’ve seen, and I had just seen some racers before leaving home.
Common as dirt back home, these are more of a big deal in Kansas. This beauty made me pay for the pleasure as well…
Western Rat Snake - Elaphe obsoleta
What would a snake post be without this little slug eater.
Brown Snake- Storeria dekayi
These snakes are the hardest to photo that I’ve ever come across.
Flathead Snake - Tantilla gracilis
Sick of Snakes? Yeah I know how lame is this place. Lizards then?
This one was found miles out in the Flint Hills, and it wasn’t happy about it’s detention for photos.
Eastern Collared Lizard - Crotaphytus collaris
These guys are all over and like to bite! Luckily it only feels like the rough side of Velcro.
This is a blue tailed juvenile.
And an adult.
Northern Prairie Skink - Eumeces septentrionalis
This was a find of significant importance. It hasn’t been seen in this area for over 40 years. I was happy to have watched it run around, before being captured.
Lesser Earless Lizard - Holbrookia maculate
These next lizards were a real thrill for me to see and uh… interact with. They are the most tenacious little lizards I’ve ever seen.
One of the decided to drop it’s tail just as we grabbed it. An unfortunate event but I thought the picture was sufficiently interesting to post it.
Great Plains Skink - Eumeces obsoletus
I felt privileged to get to see five of these little anteaters. They’re about as cool as it gets.
Texas Horned Lizard - Phrynosoma cornutum
I’m out of lizards for this trip so how about some amphibians?
Now some of you many know that I adore toads. I can’t get enough of them, and this was a very special treat. Not only were these lifers but I got to see quite a few of them in action!
This calling stuff leads to young kids in love.
Woodhouse’s Toad Bufo woodhousei
Chorus frogs were also singing their song.
Boreal Chorus Frog Pseudacris maculata
Not to be outdone Cope’s Gray Treefrogs were among the chorus.
Cope’s Graytreefrog Hyla chrysoscelis
This thing was an absolute combination of beauty and brawn.
Barred Tiger Salamander Ambystoma mavortium
We even managed to see the prettiest smallmouth I’ve yet to see. Yes in this armpit of American herping, Kansas.
Smallmouth Salamander Ambystoma texanum
Plains Leopard Frog Rana blairi
Well that’s all the amphibs we could muster… What’s left? Oh there’s plenty left. I hope you can make it to the end with me. We had an awesome time, having made the best of such a place as this. Turtles are next.
We found some Foxy Boxies.
Ornate Box Turtle - Terrapene ornate
One wee little painted was found outside the small pond that was a full on chorus. This guy is going to have a tough go of it with so little water around.
Northern Painted Turtle - Chrysemys picta
If you’re still reading this, then I hope you don’t mind that I was fascinated by the native prairie plants that were new to me. I’ll post a couple of quick shots, that would have been better if the winds weren’t tornadic.
Buckeye tree in bloom.
Still here? Are you hating Kansas and thinking of another herping destination yet? I would if I were you. How about some inverts?
I’ll leave you with a couple shots of the crew.
Pingleton, Psyon (Don) and Peter Berg
The bane of herps everywhere, Travis Taggart.
And finally one of the best herpers I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Kansas’ own after we were detained for suspicious activity.
A crappy view of the Flint Hills, to let you know that you really, really want to herp somewhere else.
Thanks for looking,
Justin