Besides these 2, we saw several other Carolina “sandhill phase” pygmy rattler on this trip.

Initially our photo-target was the carpenter frog, Rana virgatipes. We had both seen this little ranid on many occasions but it just seemed time to upgrade photos.

But as Jake and I often do, by only an hour later as we had crossed into Georgia, our photo-target list had grown to encompass three additional taxa, Carolina pygmy rattlers Sistrurus m. miliarius, of the Sand Hills phase, just for the heck of it, a southern copperhead, Agkistrodon c. contortrix, and a small, still undescribed two-lined salamander lookalike, Eurycea species. As it turned out, we were successful on all but the salamander.
Continue reading “Carpenters, Copperheads and Pygmys” …read more
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Wild in nature. One of the best places to see this Great Basin Rattlesnake found in Utah, but shared with us in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user crocman6594 ! On Rattlesnake Friday, we celebrate ALL things venomous! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Get Naked! Ok maybe not, but this Ball python was slipping into something a little more comfy in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user tylerwork ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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This hatching Cribo in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user alanB makes monday more bearable! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Gotta love the sassy nature of the Schneider’s smooth-fronted caiman in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user cpipes! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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This Ambilobe Panther Chameleon is all fired up in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user vinniem1210! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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For a few years the Marie Gallante sail-tailed anole could be seen in southwestern Florida. It was apparently extirpated by the occasional freezes.
This is a pretty, large (males to about 9 inches females significantly smaller), bluish headed anole with a yellow-green body color. Males have a prominent tailfin. This anole, Anolis ferreus by name, is endemic to the island of Marie Galante in the Lesser Antilles. In the 1990s several examples (adults of both sexes and hatchlings) were seen and photographed in Lee County, FL, but the small population seems no longer extant.
Continue reading ” More Non-native Anoles: Marie Galante Sail-tailed, Jamaican Giant, and Knight Anoles” …read more
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! This is such an amazing shot of an eyelash viper (Bothriechis schlegelii) in our photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user beckherps ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here! As always on Friday, we celebrate all of our venomous reptiles for their contribution to the world. It is our goal to help dispel the fears surrounding our beloved venomous creatures.

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One little, two little, three little Bearded Dragons in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user dedragons ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Photo of one of the alligator ponds at St. Augustine provided by Cindy Steinle

St. Augustine Alligator Farm is a fantastic place to visit, but only during open hours. Recently a man in Florida felt it was a good idea to break in to the farm after hours and that is when the shenanigans began. Several exhibits were damaged but so was the trespasser. When workers arrived the next morning, they found the damage to the exhibits, a lot of blood, a pair of shorts and a “croc” shoe. The man was found wandering the neighborhood in only his boxers and covered with blood.

To read the full story and view the video, visit Fox 13. …read more
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We never post enough kingsnakes, so get a gander of this beautiful kingsnake in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user kasie ! When this photo was originally posted in 2006, Martha was over 30 years old! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Gotta love this stunning pair of Chondros in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user NYCMedic ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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It is hard to not see beauty when you look at the Asian Vine Snake (Ahaetulla prasina) our Herp Photo of the Day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user 13lackcat! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Disturbed during an evening crawl, this canefield king coiled and hissed rather than hurrying away.
Florida’s not like it used to be. But that’s no secret. Native Floridians and long-term residents have known this for decades. And since I’m one of the latter and I have an interest in natural history I’ve noticed and disliked the trend, the never ending conversion of natural areas to macadam covered parking lots and shopping centers. When I started coming to Florida in the mid-1950s US 27 was a 2-lane road that was clad down to Lake Okeechobee with woodlands and a few pastures and south of the Lake was edged on the east by an Australian pine rimmed canal and Everglades and on the west by Everglades, Everglades, and more Everglades. Somewhere to the west of Okeelanta was an area termed “the peanut patch” in which were a dozen long unused migrant laborers houses, all of which were then home to what seemed an endless number of beautiful deep orange Everglades rat snakes.
Continue reading “Canefield Kings” …read more
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A woman in Pennsylvania is hissing mad because someone sold her 17 year old son a 4 foot alligator at a local reptile show. The alligator, which now resides at a reptile rescue, had no comment.

While many states regulate the sales of crocodilians Pennsylvania does not and the operator of the rescue is urging people to contact their state legislators to stop the “Pannsylvania alligator invasion” and outlaw their sales to children. To read the full article click here. …read more
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! We just love this close up of a Massasauga in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user venombill ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Regretfully I missed the first talk. We will start with the second panel from the event. This is a live blog and will have errors. It is typed as the day goes.

Panel 2 – Lacey Act Changes, Implications – Scott Hardin moderator

Craig Martin, Chief of the Branch of aquatic invasive species, USFW

Craig started by defining invasive and then explained a few examples such as brown tree snakes. Invasive species are second most destructive to native species. Managing invasies is a pathway management. Using Zebra mussles as an example (these things such). The look at 3 primary pathways. Transportation, living and miscellaneous Most species are not harmful. …read more
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This hatching Burmese python our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user OrangeTurtle is our inspiration as we prepare to head to the reptile legal summit. Seeing these back at shows this year reminded us WHY we keep fighting. Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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What a stunning shot! This gorgeous California newt in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user AndrewFromSoCal takes you right into the field. Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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The Eastern Black Kingsnake, Lampropeltis nigra
The Eastern Black Kingsnakes was recently revised from what was a sub-species to a full blown species, Lampropeltis nigra. This snake has a relatively small range when compared to many other species that used to also be included in what was the getula complex. A considerable amount of variation occurs in this snake across its range. I appreciate this snake in all of its forms but can’t help but to like the ones that are the most black and also the most shiny. Many EBK retain a lot of pattern and others can have a dull look. The specimen pictured was found in a North-Central Kentucky county and exhibits the attributes that I most appreciate. Because the majority and most centrally located portion of this snake’s range is in Kentucky I have often wanted for this to be named the State Reptile of Kentucky.

While it is true that most snakes are loathed by many people, this snake is one that the majority of local and rural people recognize as being beneficial. In time I also suspect that this species will catch the interests of those who like to keep kingsnakes. In addition to being attractive, easy to keep, and somewhat rare in collections, this species is also smaller than many of the other kings from the Eastern US and this makes it more attractive to keepers who have space-related issues. In my experience males make the best captives with fewer health complications and whose dispositions lend themselves to educational programs, live interactions, and handling. …read more
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! Let’s celebrate in the mighty southwest beauty of the Rock Rattlesnake here in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Janne ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Martha, a Reeve’s Turtle, is just chilling out in the sun in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user kasie ! When this photo was originally posted in 2006, Martha was over 30 years old! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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So tiny and cute! This young garter in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Scott_Felzer is seeing how he measures up. Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Hopefully this hatching Ctenosaura palearis in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user ilovemonitorliza cures any case of the Mondays you might have! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Female Cuban treefrogs can attain a length of more than 5 inches.
I had been told for years that the ”Dreaded Cacophony” was coming. And about 12 years ago it finally got here. The “dreaded cacophony” had become a reality. I think it was first heard in Alachua County, FL in a tiny temporary runoff puddle by the post office. Then, that same year it a second cacophony was heard a few miles away in an even smaller puddle at the entrance of a subdivision. The noises sounded like a series of rivet guns badly in need of oiling. The next year it was heard from a couple of more ponds and the year following from still more. The cacophonists were here and it seemed they were here, despite winters that were a lot colder than those where they had evolved, to stay.

Continue reading “The Dreaded Cacophony” …read more
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! We know, this isi NOT a rattlesnake but Thai the King Cobra greeter at Wildlife Discovery Center in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user SoLA ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here! As always on Friday, we celebrate all of our venomous reptiles for their contribution to the world.

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There is so much to love about Colubrids, so why not celebrate them with a big ole pile of beauty in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user xtranch ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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This little Caiman in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user roadkill55 is feeling SASSY! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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What an awesome field shot of a Blue Spiny Lizard in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user arkherps ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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What an adorable little tree frog in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user redjiboia ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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This is a very pretty male red-cheeked mud turtle.
The turtles of the genus Kinosternon are distributed southward from extreme southern New York and North Carolina to northern Argentina. The common name—mud turtle—aptly describes most not only in color (muddy brown or gray—some species do have contrasting colors—white, yellow or red– on the cheeks) but in preferred habitat as well.

Continue reading “Red-cheeked Mud Turtle” …read more
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Mottled Rock Rattlesnake gallery photo by Tom Lott
Is the bite of of baby venomous snake more dangerous than an adult? Can a decapitated snake still bite? And does the “red and yellow kill a fellow” rhyme ring true? With answers by State herpetologist Paul Crump of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Elda Sánchez, director of the National Natural Toxins Research Center at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, this article from the Dallas Morning News helps explain and explore some of the myths and facts about venomous snakes in Texas. The article also talks about the medical uses of venom, and discusses the various types of snake venom common to Texas snakes, as well as a host of other interesting facts. Check out the article on the Dallas Morning News web site!. …read more
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday from this Sidewinder in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Uncloudy ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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So simple and so beautiful. That is the black racer in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user ReptileProducts ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Northern Pine Snake gallery photo by user orchidspider Northern Pine Snakes, Pituophis melanoleucus, have fascinated North American Snake Enthusiasts since before I was born and have been discussed with whispered breaths since my introduction to snakes at pet stores, shows, zoos, native wildlife agencies, universities, herp societies, internet groups, and every other facet of the snake world. Perhaps no locality or population garners more interest than the small and mostly isolated populations from Kentucky. No matter what population or locality, I have heard it said amongst the greatest minds on the subject that every single record for a specimen of Northern Pine Snake is note-worthy. I have been involved in research with this species in Kentucky for over 20 years and have been contacted with requests for DNA samples and any other data I can provide by those working on papers in efforts to publish updated information on every aspect of this snake’s biology throughout its range. In 2006 my colleague Phil Peak and I were able to document the first live specimen of Northern Pine Snake recorded from the isolated Mammoth Cave Region population since 1969. None live or dead have been recorded since. In Spring of 2018 we found the cast skin pictured above under artificial cover we set out as part of a survey project we are involved in. The ability to recognize and identify a cast skin that many would have ignored or not given a second thought about is what led to our ability to formally record this as a confirmed observation backed by photograph.
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What wonderful color contrast in this hatchling Mud Snake in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Godfrey ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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What a beautiful Cuban Knight Anole in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user StPierre68 simply could not be any cuter! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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What a beautiful boa constrictor in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user biophiliacs . Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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A profile of a 5 foot long green anaconda in Amazonian Peru.
“Anaconda!”

That word always brought an excited response from our tour clients in Amazonian Peru. As a matter of face, the finding of one of these potentially giant water boas brought feelings of excitement from us, the tour leaders.

It is the green anaconda, Eunectes murinus, that occurs in our region and unlike some areas of northern South America where the species is considered common, we always considered ourselves lucky if we found an example on any given trip.

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Green Mamba kingsnake gallery photo uploaded by fangfatale
A Green Mamba that bit it’s owner has been located and caught in a tree after an escape following the envenomation in Prague Czechoslovakia. According to the BBC the The woman, who was found unconscious by paramedics, had not registered the highly venomous snake, and is in an induced coma at a city hospital after receiving an antidote.

To read the full story check out the article on the BBC web site.

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