One of the coolest snakes I've ever seen. Appears to be a melanistic Eastern Milk Snake. Found on the state line.
Spotted on bank of cattle pond and then scurried into the water. No fencing or containment.
Note: To clarify, all signs indicate this is either a
Three shots include: (1) a younger larvae, (2) a larvae at metamorphosis, and (3) a metamorphosed adult. Metamorphosed adults are relatively uncommon in the population. The cave is managed by the Nature Conservancy and these images were taken during a survey of the salamander population. The species is so far recognized as a single site endemic.
I collected this snake because I wasn't sure of its identity. Although at first glance it looked a bit like T.gracilis it didn't match exactly. I have seen a lot of gracilis from this general area.
It was preserved and deposited in the TCWC. It was later identified as T. atriceps by Jim Dixon. I don't know the basis of this ID.
It really doesn't "look" like atriceps should, but the scalation and hemipenis appear to match? If anyone wants to check it out in the TCWC collection, it should still be there!
38° overnight, seems like the whole population from my woodlot landing was on this log this morning.
Specimen originally collected in a deep limestone cave at Amistad National Recreation Area near Del Rio, Texas; currently held at San Antonio Zoo
Collected sometime in October 1985.
Found in the EXACT same location, to the inch, as my lifer smooth green snake the day before, under the same cover. Temperatures warmer at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit however.
Many at this location on this day. Released after photos.
This male mountain lion - a migrant from South Dakota - was infamously struck 41-miles east of Greenwich, CT. This was the first verifiable documentation of a cougar in Connecticut since the 1890s. The attributed location and time is from where it was struck by a car. There is no breeding population of cougars in New England, though they historically occupied every continental US state.
Photos supplied with permission from the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP), Wildlife Division, courtesy of Cyndy Chanaca.
Individual photo credentials: Paul J. Fusco/ CT DEEP-Wildlife
Further reading:
Was eating a fish!
This hatchling was found on the edge of a paved roadway under cool conditions, 60° F with light cloud cover. It was measured, identified as a male, and released. A note has been submitted to The Southwestern Naturalist for review. The last documented record in Oklahoma for this species was in 1990.
Around 5pm today in the middle of the road. Large 3ft or more snake. Hisisng, loud, almost like a rattle noise. But no tail rattle. Defensive while I kept distance. Aggressive. Never took its eyes off me. Opened mouth often. No teeth. Black eyes. Black tongue. Large center. Moments prior a large barred owl flew past my windshield and watched me as I approached snake. An epic moment in my day. I was going to pick up my son who was with a native medicine woman.
Added a second photo to this observation, although it is taken from the same angle. This frog was under a ledge around a small pool under a waterfall.
NO THE FROG WAS NOT HARMED Just a funny thing we decided to do for a picture.
This small Snapping Turtle was on the trail adjacent to a pond and marsh area of the Middlefork Savanna. The shell length was approximately 9" TOSHIBA Exif JPEG
This small Snapping Turtle was on the trail adjacent to a pond and marsh area of the Middlefork Savanna. The shell length was approximately 9" TOSHIBA Exif JPEG
Hatchlings
Observed crossing sand road in Sand Prairie habitat (see other pics). There is a theory that this is an introduced population, as this species was not recorded in extreme eastern Illinois prior to 1980. Many believe this is not the case, as there are similar natural populations in other counties not far to the West.
Along spring and in semi-forested wetland with scattered pockets of Sphagnum moss. Snowy Range, Albany County, WY.
Seen during survey for Wyoming toad while working for WYNDD.
Jemez Mountains Salamander Plethodon neomexicanus near Pajarito Ski Basin