1 Topic by rattlesnakeman

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Topic: Thursday April 12, 2007 Quick check on snakes--no luck

Had to go to Fort Smith today so I checked my favorite spot and found nothing.  Thought after all of this cold weather they might be wanting some sunshine.  The temperature was in the mid 60's with a light wind.  The south slope in the sun felt warm to me, but the air temperature was slightly cool.  Don't think they have moved anywhere in the last couple of weeks due to the temperature, but they were not out.  Only had a little over an hour to actually look though.

I did find a rare Timber Stick Snake, Pinebarkus horridus.  Note how keeled the scales are and it's head looks like a broken branch.  This fine speciman did not move or act aggressive at all.

Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency.

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2 Reply by rattlesnakeman

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Re: Thursday April 12, 2007 Quick check on snakes--no luck

Forgot to post the photo.

Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency.

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3 Reply by Mulebrother

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Re: Thursday April 12, 2007 Quick check on snakes--no luck

I know this is bad, but it brings me slight joy to hear you DIDN'T find any dbacks.  Sorta.

Government is not the solution Government is the PROBLEM...Ronald Reagan

4 Reply by Mulebrother

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Re: Thursday April 12, 2007 Quick check on snakes--no luck

By the way, what is your theory on these temps?   Did the snakes take off, or are they close to their densites still?  Never seen such a goofed up spring.  Dang 'ol global warming i guess....

Government is not the solution Government is the PROBLEM...Ronald Reagan

5 Reply by rattlesnakeman

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Re: Thursday April 12, 2007 Quick check on snakes--no luck

I heard that April is tracking to be the coldest on record in the country since they started keeping records in 1897.  Don't know where the snakes are, have never seen a year like this.  A little over two weeks ago before the cold snap some of them seemed to still be around.  I'm afraid that they have moved a short distance from their dens and sought temporary shelter during the cold.  If they weren't below the frost line, which is very possible, they didn't make it.  If they went back to the dens, it could be a great year when they come back out.  Believe we will need at least two days in a row between 70-80 degrees before we see much of them again. Diamondbacks seem to prefer 80 degrees or warmer.  Will be hoping they went back to the den, that would be great, but am not holding my breath.  Kory, what do the Timber Rattlesnakes in the study do when they come out in early spring and then it turns cold?

Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency.

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6 Reply by kaptainkory

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Re: Thursday April 12, 2007 Quick check on snakes--no luck

rattlesnakeman wrote:

Kory, what do the Timber Rattlesnakes in the study do when they come out in early spring and then it turns cold?

 

Timbers may do a couple of things shortly after emergence.  One, they will find a "transitional rock" that provides thermoregulating opportunities by moving either out in the sun or more under the rock.  The other common thing to do is to leaf hide.  Typically for that they seem to move uphill (for some reason) from their den, then coil up under leaf litter completely burried.  They rarely spend much time hanging around the den site proper.

So, more specifically to your question: they either tuck into a rock crevice or bury under leaves.  Occassionally they will hide in hollow logs when it turns cold (but typically that behavior is for very hot weather).

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7 Reply by rattlesnakeman

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Re: Thursday April 12, 2007 Quick check on snakes--no luck

View from Rattlesnake Ridge on April 12, 2007

Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency.

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8 Reply by amercnwmn

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Re: Thursday April 12, 2007 Quick check on snakes--no luck

Love the Pinebarkus horridus..
Sorry you aren't finding the diamondbacks, thats a real shame.  I was wondering how they were holding up under this weather.

I'm about to have an abruptly.

9 Reply by saltamachia

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Re: Thursday April 12, 2007 Quick check on snakes--no luck

thats funny cause all i EVER seem to find lately is those **** timber stick snakes!

10 Reply by Mystic-B

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Re: Thursday April 12, 2007 Quick check on snakes--no luck

I think we need a special photo album for "not-so-rare-rare-finds"... rope snakes, road ribbons, tar strips, tie downs... Paint.. and my personal favorites- Rock turtles and banana peel snakes. You know- the ones you stop and turn around for just to make sure. Even the ones that get you every time you drive by...  They'd go good with the other strange and unusual things people leave roadside.

11 Reply by amercnwmn

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Re: Thursday April 12, 2007 Quick check on snakes--no luck

I heard stories of another site's field trip and a member that left rubber snakes along the hiking trail before the actual herping started..LOL  lol

I'm about to have an abruptly.