I was invited to go with the zoology class from the U of O, to check various traps. I was informed just a couple of days before they had seen two cottonmouths (by the way these again would be a county record, if one did document them). They did have to release this little guy.

I am a true herper. So while helping check minnow, turtle, and bug traps, I had to flip stuff. So after a roll of a log I revealed this marbled salamander. I have to admit this was the first time for me to roll one in Arkansas. I had seen a few in Missouri.

I thought I would run over and check my tin site. Well it got populated by ringnecks. I saw a total of seven. Also included were two slimy salamanders, and a copperhead.

I continued to flip rocks, finding three more slimys and and Oklahoma, till after dark.

This was a big mistake. Should of headed for the house. The drive back did yield two DOR copperheads and two DOR hognoses. Again, the hognoses are county records. One specimen looked like the heel of a shoe. The other looked like this (two footer and a nice pattern).

Not the best shape for just a general specimen. So now I am again angry at myself, after a check of SOA. I jump back in the car (without my trusty camera) to try and find the side of the road that I flipped the snake. No luck. Instead now I find two DOR rough greens. Also, I found four ringed salamanders crossing the road. The strangest find to me was an eft stage central newt on the road. I guess if you have to get from point A to B and road is between, you will cross the road. If I am going to run on and on, I should mention the numerous toads, and frogs. I do not stop much for those guys. I just try not to hit them. I did stop for one I thought was a small snake. Turned out it was just the legs that looked like a snake and the body was about 2-3 yards away. Not a pretty picture.

Glennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn