1 Topic by kaptainkory

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Topic: A short outing in NW Arkansas - Kind of gross DOR picture

My target species for the day was Pigmy Rattlesnake...no such luck.  Found a few other things of interest, including a Cave Salamander, Three-toed Box Turtle, and Hognose Snake.  After it didn't work out on the "Pigs", I decided to take a roundabout way home to see what I could see on the roads.  I saw a few common things DOR, such as E. Garter Snake and Western Rat Snake.  I also helped a Common Snapping Turtle across the road, though it seemed to hate me doing that!!! HA!

http://www.herpsofarkansas.com/gallery/16239-2/2C3V7010.jpg

The find of the day was this:

http://www.herpsofarkansas.com/gallery/16229-2/2C3V7005.jpg

Yes, that's an Ornate!!!  Though sad to see one dead, it was at the same time exciting to find one and to know that perhaps some others live in that area.  I will return!   smile

BTW, both box turtle records have been submitted to ANHC.

Kory Roberts: Email | Facebook | Flickr | Last.fm | YouTube

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2 Reply by ksuglennj

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Re: A short outing in NW Arkansas - Kind of gross DOR picture

Did you save a foot for a voucher? smile

3 Reply by Van

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Re: A short outing in NW Arkansas - Kind of gross DOR picture

Nice!

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4 Reply by kaptainkory

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Re: A short outing in NW Arkansas - Kind of gross DOR picture

ksuglennj wrote:

Did you save a foot for a voucher? smile

HA!  Yeah, it crossed my mind...but, eeewwwhhh!   big_smile

Kory Roberts: Email | Facebook | Flickr | Last.fm | YouTube

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5 Reply by amercnwmn

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Re: A short outing in NW Arkansas - Kind of gross DOR picture

Kory you are close enough, we should try to meet up and do some road cruising one of these evenings.  I know a couple of locations around your neck of the woods. 
I had a pretty nice Rogers location, for seeing all sorts of different animals, but in one week it's been levelled for development sad I'm quickly running out of spots to take pics of animals here.

I'm about to have an abruptly.

6 Reply by kaptainkory

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Re: A short outing in NW Arkansas - Kind of gross DOR picture

amercnwmn wrote:

Kory you are close enough, we should try to meet up and do some road cruising one of these evenings..

Sounds good...maybe as it warms up a bit this summer.

amercnwmn wrote:

I know a couple of locations around your neck of the woods. 
I had a pretty nice Rogers location, for seeing all sorts of different animals, but in one week it's been levelled for development sad I'm quickly running out of spots to take pics of animals here

Where's the Lorax when you need him?  Better enjoy the few spots while you still can.

Kory Roberts: Email | Facebook | Flickr | Last.fm | YouTube

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7 Reply by amercnwmn

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Re: A short outing in NW Arkansas - Kind of gross DOR picture

LOL!! It took me awhile to remember the Lorax..

I'm about to have an abruptly.

8 Reply by kaptainkory

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Re: A short outing in NW Arkansas - Kind of gross DOR picture

It seems my "Ornate" has come into question, and probably rightfully so, from a couple of people in private...   Hmmm.  Now, I guess I'm not so sure as I thought I once was.

Here are the characteristics I considered:
* Plastron markings - radiating marks, rather than plain or with dark marks outlining scutes as seen in 3-toeds
* 4 hind toes - barely visible, but it does have 4
* Carapace markings - radiating marks, though only a few are visible
* Greenish tint to skin color
* Surrounding habitat was grazing/prairie-like

Here are some reasons why those characteristics may be questionable:
* Plastron markings seem more like dark marks on yellow background, rather than (typical for Ornates) yellow marks on a dark background
* Sometimes 3-toeds have 4 hind toes
* Sometimes 3-toeds have strong radiating marks on the carapace
* The skin color is probably meaningless (just seems to me a greenish tint is common in Ornates)
* The surrounding habitat is probably meaningless
* One of the top carapace scutes *may* show a slight keeling, which should NOT be pronounced in an Ornate

At this point, I am willing to say that my ID is incorrect; that this is a 3-toed.  But I would like to hear a few opinions from others first.

Kory Roberts: Email | Facebook | Flickr | Last.fm | YouTube

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