1 Topic by ksuglennj

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Topic: The caged animal

I spent my weekend either hunched over a computer or watching racing. Even both at the same time. I had to get out. So I set my alarm for 6:45. I jumped up and headed out into the wilderness to take a little hike and maybe find some herps along the way.

I had to dodge the million little American Toadlets. The wet weather has done the amphibs some good. The hogs should do well this year. big_smile

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/ksuglennj/26June07/AmericanToadlet.jpg

Saw a good number of Cricket Frogs and some small Southern Leopard Frogs. I do not think I have very many leps so I took a shot of this little one.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/ksuglennj/26June07/SouthernLep.jpg

I have found a good number of Five-lined Skink eggs this year. Since I am lizard man, I find these very cool. These are two more I found today.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/ksuglennj/26June07/Skinkeggs1.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/ksuglennj/26June07/Skinkeggs2.jpg

Saw I total of three Three-toed Box Turtles. One on the way in that I helped off the road.

This one that I think is sleeping. After the pictures I poked at the left leg. It did retract the leg, but never pulled the head in.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/ksuglennj/26June07/Box1.jpg

This little one under a chunk of tin.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/ksuglennj/26June07/LittleBoxie.jpg

Now to the things that lack legs. My target for the day (has been for the last few outings) was a pig. No luck again. Did find four snakes.

Two Prairie Ringnecks. The one pictured is over a foot long. That is one big fossorial snake. How do I know. Well it is not a fish  story. The back of my old Conant and Collins 3rd ed. has a 6" ruler on the last page. I used that to measure the SVL to just under a foot. So the total length was over the one foot mark.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/ksuglennj/26June07/BigRingneck.jpg

I do not know what it is about Western Worm Snakes that I like. I guess it is the color. So I took a pic of this common snake.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/ksuglennj/26June07/WormSnake.jpg

The secondary target was achieved. I have had some luck with Milk Snakes this year and this spot is known to have them. So I was wishing for the little rattler and this guy.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/ksuglennj/26June07/RedMilkMerge.jpg

One quick habitat shot. I did not take this with what is on my mind as I look at this picture of a small cave, but use your imagination to guess what is on my mind. tongue

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/ksuglennj/26June07/Cave.jpg

Last photo is for Kory when he gets back.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/ksuglennj/26June07/Signs.jpg

I do not know where Roberts Road is in Johnson, but it is a good distance from this place. I figure it either washed down the river or a goof ball dumped these signs. Still kind of funny no matter how.

2 Reply by Mystic-B

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Re: The caged animal

In my experience, the boxies that behave that way and also have the puffy closed eyes... have a nutrient deficiency and are unable to open them part of the day. Not saying this is the case with this one but from the photo it looks to have the same puffiness.

And that cave.... uhm... you need a "friend" glenn... really.

3 Reply by saltamachia

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Re: The caged animal

Is that a scarlet snake or a milk snake?

4 Reply by ksuglennj

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Re: The caged animal

saltamachia wrote:

Is that a scarlet snake or a milk snake?

Red Milk Snake with maybe a hink of Louisiana Milk. Trust me, if it was a Scarlet snake that would of been the heading of the post. That would be a huge find for this area.

Why not a Scarlet Snake? Note the color of the head, Not red. Shape of nose is more rounded, Scarlet snake is flat and pointy. Last is the banding. The best is to look at pictures and compare.
Milk gallery: http://www.herpsofarkansas.com/gallery ... riangulum/
Scarlet Snake gallery: http://www.herpsofarkansas.com/gallery ... 3.jpg.html

5 Reply by Harper

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Re: The caged animal

Pretty Red Milk.  What makes you think it has any Louisiana Milk in it?  I look at that snake and I only see Red Milk.  I base that mainly on the lack of any appreciable black on the head (other than the stripe at the back of the head) and the breadth of the white bands.  After I get my research up to speed I'll be able to say more.  Is that snake odd for ones in that area?

Nice find!

Harper's Website

6 Reply by amercnwmn

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Re: The caged animal

Cool finds, and I agree with Mystic, you REALLY NEED A FRIEND!  tongue

I'm about to have an abruptly.

7 Reply by ksuglennj

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Re: The caged animal

Friends, who needs friends. cool

Harper wrote:

Pretty Red Milk.  What makes you think it has any Louisiana Milk in it?  I look at that snake and I only see Red Milk.  I base that mainly on the lack of any appreciable black on the head (other than the stripe at the back of the head) and the breadth of the white bands.  After I get my research up to speed I'll be able to say more.  Is that snake odd for ones in that area?

Nice find!

I do not want to start the debate of ssp., but I would rather call the snake a Milk Snake. I could see a few specks of black on the nose, but not much. Also, the amount of black in the bands is a little higher in this area than say Kansas/Missouri. When I say Louisiana, it would be just a hint. If I had to name it, I would say Red Milk.

8 Reply by bobbyneal

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Re: The caged animal

Not enough is known about milksnakes in Arkansas... It seems that on class trips etc students tend to hide and keep the "pretty snakes" for pets, only to have them die shortly thereafter, making the data on the animals lost forever.   Because of this the museum is highly under represented as far as milksnakes go.

The Flying Spaghetti Monster is TRUTH

9 Reply by mountainman

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Re: The caged animal

yeah, sometimes its also professors who hide and keep the "pretty snakes" as pets. Bobby probably knows who I am talking about. roll

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10 Reply by Harper

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Re: The caged animal

Anyone interested in helping with milksnake research, let me know.  That is where I am starting in my AR herp research.  I can't promise that I can use your help, but if I can I'll let you know.

Harper's Website

11 Reply by kaptainkory

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Re: The caged animal

ksuglennj wrote:

Last photo is for Kory when he gets back.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/ksuglennj/26June07/Signs.jpg

I do not know where Roberts Road is in Johnson, but it is a good distance from this place. I figure it either washed down the river or a goof ball dumped these signs. Still kind of funny no matter how.

I feel sooo......disposable!!!!   sad  Pretty funny though.

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

kaptainkory's Website