Sid's '08 finds

[Sid]

Here's my latest and best find yet. A young male Eastern King.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/4-9_King.jpg
I would have rather found a nice Garter, but this guy is marked up nice was was as gentle as a kitten, so I hold onto him for the school reptile classes that I do.

[Loren]

Very pretty Sid.

[mycolorfulheart]

I'm getting better at recognizing snakes. I misread your text to read that you found an eastern garter, and then looked at the snake and thought, "no way! it's a king!"

Slowly but surely.

Very attractive snake btw!

[drache]

pretty snake, Sid
a very nice find

[count dewclaw]

I like the color contrast on that snake, very pretty. What a great find.

[anji1971]

Very nice snake, Sid!! Love the markings!
It's always good when you find a wild snake that is so gentle to handle, too.:)

[enigma200316]

very nice find Sid the kids will love it.........:D

[Sid]

This one ihttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/4-10_N_Water.jpgsn't a great photo, but here's a Northern Water Snake that was colored pretty nicely.

Here's an odd marked Black Rat Snake. Over 6 feet long.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/Blk_Rat-1.JPG

[charles parenteau]

nice water snake ! What a big black rat you caught...

[Loren]

That water snake looks beautiful.
That ratsnake looks ticked off (just guessing by the way you are holding him).
:D

[Sid]

Here's one of the numerous Eastern Worms snakes I've found:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/4-12_Eastern_Worm.jpg

And, Loren, this is the PO'ed one. Young male Black Recer:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/4-12_Racer_Pissed.JPG

[count dewclaw]

Those are really cool little snakes (the worm snakes). Do they get much bigger?

[Sid]

Thanks. Here's another photo of the Racer:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/4-12_Blk_Racer.jpg

[Stefan-A]

Very nice finds, Sid. :)

[Loren]

Nice. Sometimes I think it would be awesome to try to have a display collection of all the different types of racers, whipsnakes, and coachwhips- but one guy can only take care of so many snakes, especially with a full time job.

[Snake lover 3-25]

nice i wish i had that variety where i live!!!!:):)

[adamanteus]

Some great finds there, Sid. Love the racer.

[Sid]

Those are really cool little snakes (the worm snakes). Do they get much bigger?
LeAnn, This is an adult. Average length is around 8- 10 inches

Thanks to all for the comments and James the racer was a nice specimen. Definately had the Racer attitude.

[count dewclaw]

LeAnn, This is an adult. Average length is around 8- 10 inches

Cool! It would be very easy to overlook one of those worm snakes. What kind of habitat do they like?

[Sid]

Cool! It would be very easy to overlook one of those worm snakes. What kind of habitat do they like?
I normally find them in wooded areas, under decaying wood and sometimes under rocks.

[Sid]

Here's my favorite of the year. A nice little male Eastern Ribbon:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/Ribbon-1.jpg

Some Broadhead Skinks:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/Lizards.jpg

[ScimitarX]

Yet again, some very nice finds, love that ribbon:)

[enigma200316]

awsome Sid, glad someones finding stuff no luck here yet........:)

[anji1971]

Pretty ribbon snake!:)
That's what I'd like to find around here -- similar colouring to the Butler's, but legal to keep!

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

i like the skinks

[Lori P]

Ooooh, I love the coppery color on those skinks. That does it-- move over Sid, me and all my critters are coming to live with you, you find the most amazing animals!!!

[Loren]

Beautiful ribbon Sid, and how did you get those skinks all posed like that? Thats awesome.

[drache]

wonderful finds again, Sid
thanks for the great photos

[Sid]

Beautiful ribbon Sid, and how did you get those skinks all posed like that? Thats awesome.
Thanks again for the comments.

Loren, What you see on the Broadhead Skinks is just the way they were found. The ones with the redish heads are males, the other a female.

[Lori P]

I keep looking at them; they are just so stunning. Think we have those in Va, Sid??

[Sid]

I keep looking at them; they are just so stunning. Think we have those in Va, Sid??
Lori, I would be suprised if you don't. We have them in SC and they are abundant in NC.

Here's another one, a Pinewoods Snake ( a lifer for me)
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/pine_woods2.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/pine_woods-1.jpg

[Stefan-A]

Nice. :) Invertebrates and ampibians, right?

[drache]

what a pretty little guy

[Sid]

A couple from today:
First T.s sirtalis of the year!!
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/PICT7811_800.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/PICT7816_800.jpg

Pair of Green Anoles:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/PICT7807_800.jpg

[adamanteus]

That's nice, Sid!

[Sid]

That's nice, Sid!
Thanks, James. Here's one of a Slimmey Salamander.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/Slimmey_Salamander.JPG

[Loren]

Wow Sid, you are really out and about. I hope to get out again in the next couple weeks.

[anji1971]

More great pics!! Sid, is there anything you don't find around your place??? I've never seen such a wide variety of finds from one person!:)

[Sid]

Another speciman for today (4/24/08) Yellow Rat Snake:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/PICT7837_800.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/PICT7820_800.jpg

[drache]

Sid
you find the most amazing critters
thanks so much for sharing

[Snake lover 3-25]

I agree you have found such variety... i want to move to SC:(:(:(:(

[Zephyr]

Nice yellow rat. Arboreal snakes appeal to me for some reason.

[Sid]

Thanks again for the comments. I have been very luck on many of my finds. My goal is to one day have personally have found and photographed every species of snake in SC.

[adamanteus]

I think that's a goal you can achieve, Sid. Good luck.:)

[Snake lover 3-25]

wow!!! how many do you think there are?????:D

[Loren]

Thanks again for the comments. I have been very luck on many of my finds. My goal is to one day have personally have found and photographed every species of snake in SC.

Cool goal, Sid. I have basically the same goal out here, but I need to start a file and a checklist for the pics so I know what I have and havent found.

[Sid]

Cool goal, Sid. I have basically the same goal out here, but I need to start a file and a checklist for the pics so I know what I have and havent found.
What I did was to use a spread sheet in Excel. The first tab is the 43 species of snakes here in SC. Second tab I use to track each find for the year. I set it up with the first column for first specimen found for the year. Second and third columns are Common name and Latin name, next is number found that day, then date and finally location with notes.

[Stefan-A]

Thanks again for the comments. I have been very luck on many of my finds. My goal is to one day have personally have found and photographed every species of snake in SC.
I'm one species away from reaching the same goal over here. ;)

[Snake lover 3-25]

AWESOME you guys!!!!!:D GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!:D

[Pinky]

Wow!!!!as soon as I saw this thread i knew it would be a good one!!!!Thanks for all those wonderful feild shots Sid!!:)

[Loren]

well Sid, I went road cruising last night, and had good sucess, but forgot my darn camera!
I found;
1 ca. glossy snake
1 ca. kingsnake
2 long nosed snakes
3 northern pacific rattlesnakes
3 pacific gophersnakes

1 western toad,

also several dead gophersnakes and rattlesnakes and 1 dead king.

I didnt keep anything.

Might head to the desert this coming weekend, and might go back out to where I was last night- tonight, but with my camera.

[adamanteus]

To forget your camera when you go road cruising is worse than forgetting your car!

[Sid]

Sounds like you had a great day, Loren.

Mine for today:
5 Northern Water Snakes
1 Black Racer
1 Green Tree Frog
Several lizards- Five-lined and Broadhead Skinks, a couple of Green Anoles
1 (first for the year) Eastern Box Turtle.

I'll post a photo of the Box Turtle and one of the Norther Water Snake a little later.

[Sid]

Here's one of the Northern Water Snakes
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/4-27_N_water-1.jpg

and the Eastern Box Turtle:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/4-27_Box_Turtle.jpg

[adamanteus]

I love Nerodia.... if I had more space................

[Sid]

Well, tried a new place for herping today. A really fun day, but the walk in and out of the area kicked my little behind.
First the habitat:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/Habitat1.jpg

Would you believe a DeKayi with an attitude:
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/Dekay_attitude-1.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/Dekay_attitude-2.jpg

[Loren]

I'm heading out for a drive tonight. Same place as last week. I actually went to that spot 2 nights in a row last week, and on the second night, added a night snake to the list found on that road- for a total of 6 snakes species on 1 strethch of blacktop in 2 nights.
Didnt keep any of them. I do have a few pics to post sometime though.

Now I just need to find a blackheaded snake, and I will have pretty much found all the nocturnal snake species on that road. There are a few diurnal species out there too.

Then its time to get out to the desert. :)

[Sid]

Good going, Loren. waiting on the photos.

Here's another Racer from today, nailed me twice getting the photo.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//589/medium/Walahalla_Racer.jpg

Also found several Eastern Worm snakes, 1 Copperhead and a great looking Corn. I'll try to add photos of the Corn tomorrow.

[Stefan-A]

Very nice, especially the dekayi. :D

[adamanteus]

Did you photograph the Copperhead, Sid?

[Sid]

Couldn't get a photo of that one, James. It managed to get hid too quickly. But, I will get other chances.

[anji1971]

Nice new photos, Sid! That Dekay's is actually comical trying to be tough like that!!:D

[drache]

that's some feisty dekayi

[Sid]

Yes, the Dekay had my son and I laughing so hard we didn't know whether or not we would manage to get the shots.

[Snake lover 3-25]

wow i've never seen a dekay strike!!!! maybe it was because it was in shed???

[Stefan-A]

But it does look a hell of a lot more like a viper than my tetrataenia, when it pretends to be one. :D

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Nice. Sometimes I think it would be awesome to try to have a display collection of all the different types of racers, whipsnakes, and coachwhips- but one guy can only take care of so many snakes, especially with a full time job.


Actually, my experimentation with black racers, is just the beginning of the racer collection I plan to assemble!

[Zephyr]

lol
I didn't know dekays could bite something that wasn't slimy. XD

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I have only ever seen dekay's curl up their lips.. never actually bite.

[Sid]

I have only ever seen dekay's curl up their lips.. never actually bite.
Shannon, that one was striking the camera repeatedly, actually hit it a couple of times.

[Loren]

Actually, my experimentation with black racers, is just the beginning of the racer collection I plan to assemble!
Besides all the ones native to my area that I can legally have, I want a sonoran whipsnake, a buttermilk racer, and a black racer.
Shannon, check out the sonoran whipsnake, as well as the western coachwhip, on this link- they are awesome. The whipsnake is the coolest one I have ever seen. A few spring time herps - Field Observations - All - AZ PARC Forum - Message Board - Yuku (http://reptilesofarizona.yuku.com/topic/884/t/A-few-spring-time-herps.html)
Lots of other nice pics/critters too.

[Loren]

I'm heading out for a drive tonight. Same place as last week.



Well Sid, I did go out sunday night, and I got skunked. It was to darn cold. Oh well.

[anji1971]

I just checked out that link, Loren. Wow, some very cool critters around there!
Quite a few beautiful snakes, but I agree, the Sonoran Whipsnake is one I can definitely understand you wanting to add to your collection!! Awesome!:cool:

[Lori P]

Oooooh.... that Sonoran is just fantastic!!!! All of those pics were wonderful!!!!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

woooo! yea, I have seen whips before.. that was an exceptionally nice one!