johnny_b's Favorites
Photos / Sounds
What
Mole Salamander (Ambystoma talpoideum)Observer
koawDescription
Found in what appeared to be an ephemeral pond; no fish present.
Photos / Sounds
What
Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)Observer
imanaturenerdDescription
Mating, head appears to be hognose
Photos / Sounds
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Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus)Observer
andersoncruzDescription
Mink carrying what appears to be a mudpuppy.
Photos / Sounds
What
Eastern Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum)Observer
odddaveDescription
One of the coolest snakes I've ever seen. Appears to be a melanistic Eastern Milk Snake. Found on the state line.
Photos / Sounds
What
Brilliant Forest Frog (Lithobates warszewitschii)Observer
geomambaDescription
Couldn’t ID this one at all
Photos / Sounds
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Southern Stiletto Snake (Atractaspis bibronii)Observer
tim_kirstenDescription
Picked up thinking it was a harmless mole snake, ended up biting the student
Photos / Sounds
What
Palestine Viper (Daboia palaestinae)Observer
kahlilDescription
A mating pair of these snakes was observed today while at a dog shelter/rescue just outside of Beirut. Habitat is grassy with shrubs in a dry environment. Temperature was around 20-22 C.
Two attempts were made to relocate the couple away from the area near the dog kennels. The first failed as the snakes were too entwined with each other and the vegetation. The second attempt was made after copulation and we could capture one - the second of the pair escaped into the grass. The captured snake was moved a couple hundred meters down the road and released into a similar habitat.
Snakes each appeared to be around 70-90 cm long (estimate only).
A short video clip of the mating encounter can be seen here:
https://youtu.be/gX6Jf8rW2h8
Photos / Sounds
What
Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus)Observer
hungryholobiontDescription
A individual seal spotted from shore in the heart of Beirut. The individual appears to be young according to coloration, but appeared fairly large ~1.5m. I spotted the seal thanks Claudia Pogoreutz (@CloudyPogoreutz). With ~ 700 individuals remaining, this species is highly endangered. To our knowledge Lebanon is not home to any larger seal population, but sightings appear to have increased in the last years.
