Search found 1843 matches

by Mike VanValen
January 7th, 2020, 9:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: New to the Forum! Tips for getting started in herping
Replies: 11
Views: 4727

Re: New to the Forum! Tips for getting started in herping

Get familiar with maps of your area. Scrutinize roads that go through and along forests and wetlands. Scrutinize dirt roads and go visit places that look promising. (Be aware of private property). Understand weather and vegetation and how a junk pile can be your best friend. Get The Field Herping Gu...
by Mike VanValen
April 21st, 2019, 7:17 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Copperheads in Florida
Replies: 0
Views: 12211

Copperheads in Florida

We may have had this discussion in the past, but I couldn't find one. What are the prevailing hypotheses on why Copperheads don't occur over a wider area of Florida? I get this question a lot in my facebook group. Of course, whenever it comes up, everyone and their mother claims to have seen a Coppe...
by Mike VanValen
March 12th, 2019, 1:44 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Cherokee County, SC
Replies: 0
Views: 11747

Cherokee County, SC

I'm curious if anyone has experience herping Cherokee County, SC. If so, what are you finding? Which snakes are common? Which are uncommon?

Thanks in advance.
by Mike VanValen
September 9th, 2018, 3:00 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Introduction, and my favorite finds from 2017-Current
Replies: 11
Views: 15660

Re: Introduction, and my favorite finds from 2017-Current

Hey, Alex. Great close-ups, especially the map turtle.
by Mike VanValen
September 4th, 2018, 6:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snake Photos for Education
Replies: 9
Views: 11803

Re: Snake Photos for Education

Tamara D. McConnell wrote: Thanks, Mike. I did see the photo limit thing, but I noticed other folks had more than 60, so I was confused. Still am, I reckon.
I am also confused, lol. Don't know much about flickr.
by Mike VanValen
September 4th, 2018, 11:28 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snake Photos for Education
Replies: 9
Views: 11803

Re: Snake Photos for Education

Hey, Mike. Flickr won't let me add any more photos to your group. Is it me having the usual tech idiocy difficulties, or are other folks having problems, as well? It was fine this a.m. Not sure what this means, but it might have something to do with it. This group will count toward the photo's limi...
by Mike VanValen
September 4th, 2018, 10:10 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snake Photos for Education
Replies: 9
Views: 11803

Re: Snake Photos for Education

krismunk wrote:What kind of pictures do you want?
Any photos of wild snakes, no captives.
Tamara D. McConnell wrote:What fun! I added some, will add some more after work. You know you are always welcome to use my pics.
Thanks!
by Mike VanValen
September 3rd, 2018, 10:27 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snake Photos for Education
Replies: 9
Views: 11803

Snake Photos for Education

Hey, friends. Much of my free time these days is taken up educating folks about snakes in my facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/snakeED/). I often use photos from various sources to create educational posts. One of those sources is flickr. If you have wild snake photos on flickr and wou...
by Mike VanValen
September 3rd, 2018, 9:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Black/Yellow Rat Snake Intergrade?
Replies: 2
Views: 5148

Re: Black/Yellow Rat Snake Intergrade?

Often called the "greenish" ratsnake.
by Mike VanValen
September 1st, 2018, 7:43 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ANF in fall
Replies: 1
Views: 4393

ANF in fall

Can I get some opinions on an ANF trip in the fall? I'm considering coming down from CT maybe in Novermber-ish.
by Mike VanValen
April 10th, 2018, 11:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Borneo report Part 1
Replies: 8
Views: 10767

Re: Borneo report Part 1

Nice report. I'm always thrilled to see caecilians, and the small dragonsnake is a heck of a find.
by Mike VanValen
June 25th, 2016, 7:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Local Snake Education in Utah
Replies: 2
Views: 2974

Re: Local Snake Education in Utah

Jeremy, please check your facebook messages. "message requests" folder.
by Mike VanValen
June 23rd, 2016, 9:50 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Local Snake Education in Utah
Replies: 2
Views: 2974

Local Snake Education in Utah

Anyone in the area of Heber City, Utah interested in working with animal control staff on local snake education? Please let me know. Also, if you know of someone, as well. Drop me a message. Thanks.
by Mike VanValen
May 10th, 2016, 1:37 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NM Sceloporus ID
Replies: 1
Views: 2832

NM Sceloporus ID

San Miguel County, NM

Image
by Mike VanValen
April 9th, 2016, 5:56 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Post your favorite Rattlesnake photo!
Replies: 34
Views: 18209

Re: Post your favorite Rattlesnake photo!

Crotalus horridus, Connecticut.

Image
by Mike VanValen
April 6th, 2016, 5:56 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Taiwan Lizard ID
Replies: 2
Views: 2262

Taiwan Lizard ID

From Taiwan. Japalura sp.?


Image
by Mike VanValen
January 1st, 2016, 7:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: We're Not Out of The Woods Yet (TX,LA,MS,AL,FL): 2015 EOY
Replies: 34
Views: 31871

Re: We're Not Out of The Woods Yet (TX,LA,MS,AL,FL): 2015 EO

I've seen some of your photos on facebook groups. Always impressive. The lemon yellow on that speckled king sticks in my memory. Great stuff.
by Mike VanValen
November 18th, 2015, 3:47 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Nominations for 2016 Northeast Chapter International Board
Replies: 1
Views: 2562

Re: Nominations for 2016 Northeast Chapter International Boa

Hello to whomever still reads these forums :lol: I will not be running again for this, or any, position. It's been an interesting few years as VP and then as IB rep. When only a dozen or so people show any real commitment/interest in molding NAFHA, there a comes a time when enough is enough. At some...
by Mike VanValen
August 24th, 2015, 7:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: need info about Lampropeltis getula nigrita ..
Replies: 18
Views: 6865

Re: need info about Lampropeltis getula nigrita ..

Daniel, are you on Facebook? If so, please look up the group called "North American Field Herping Association". Join the group and ask for photos of the black kingsnake. You will have a much better, and quicker, response.
by Mike VanValen
August 12th, 2015, 6:02 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Urgent Photo Request (UPDATE: Case Closed!)
Replies: 12
Views: 4755

Re: Urgent Photo Request--Snakes and Lizards

...never fails
by Mike VanValen
August 12th, 2015, 5:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First USA visit (Tulsa/Arizona)
Replies: 4
Views: 3315

Re: First USA visit (Tulsa/Arizona)

Nice stuff. Your grey squirrel is actually a fox squirrel.
by Mike VanValen
August 8th, 2015, 2:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snake education in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa!
Replies: 11
Views: 8554

Re: Snake education in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa!

I'd imagine re-education is an immense task in South Africa, but I see a glimmer of hope in some of those eyes. Great job, Nick.
by Mike VanValen
July 15th, 2015, 2:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Are turtles nesting later this year?
Replies: 5
Views: 3318

Re: Are turtles nesting later this year?

Right now is at the tail end for spotted turtles to lay, but still within the normal time frame.
by Mike VanValen
July 3rd, 2015, 6:33 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Andrea and Mike's 2015 Species Seen (xposted from NE Chapter
Replies: 15
Views: 8719

Re: Andrea and Mike's 2015 Species Seen (xposted from NE Cha

I can see the "hairpins" on the top of the cooters head. It's a Peninsula.
by Mike VanValen
July 3rd, 2015, 5:04 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Florida Keys Hemidactylus ID
Replies: 6
Views: 4721

Re: Florida Keys Hemidactylus ID

Sam Sweet wrote:Dang weird looking salamanders, might be Hemidactylus.
:lol: thank you for catching that! Damn Florida four-toed salamanders!
by Mike VanValen
July 3rd, 2015, 2:43 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Florida Keys Hemidactylus ID
Replies: 6
Views: 4721

Florida Keys Hemidactylus ID

sent to me for ID.

Image

Image

Image


..thanks
by Mike VanValen
June 29th, 2015, 6:00 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Panama Hylid ID Request
Replies: 2
Views: 2360

Panama Hylid ID Request

Image
by Mike VanValen
June 3rd, 2015, 1:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Chapter Meetup 2015 - I dropped the ball. :(
Replies: 8
Views: 4481

Re: Chapter Meetup 2015 - I dropped the ball. :(

Perhaps a single day outing ... central location, week before or after Labor Day. Maybe Western CT/Hudson River Valley ... easily reachable by Eastern New Englanders, NJ, NY,PA, MD. Or NJ (Northern or Pine Barrens). Targets Black Rats, Copperheads, Milk, Greens, Hogs, Wood and Spotted Turtles That'...
by Mike VanValen
May 29th, 2015, 2:57 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: May 2015 Species Counts
Replies: 8
Views: 4103

Re: May 2015 Species Counts

05/28

Middlesex County, CT

green frogs
bullfrogs
1 red-backed salamander
2 northern waterrsnakes
6 eastern ribbonsnakes

it's dry...real dry
by Mike VanValen
May 8th, 2015, 1:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Please help ID this backyard lizard
Replies: 2
Views: 2334

Re: Please help ID this backyard lizard

Yes, desert spiny lizard. Nice one!
by Mike VanValen
May 2nd, 2015, 10:14 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Far-north Queensland, Australia
Replies: 13
Views: 7403

Re: Far-north Queensland, Australia

Really great diversity. Your "pathetic" season blows away my entire life-time herping experience.
by Mike VanValen
April 28th, 2015, 11:42 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: April 2015 Species Counts
Replies: 12
Views: 5613

Re: April 2015 Species Counts

Today in Fairfield County, CT

3 bullfrogs
30+ eastern painted turtles
by Mike VanValen
April 27th, 2015, 2:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The past few years in Alabama (and the southeast)
Replies: 5
Views: 3786

Re: The past few years in Alabama (and the southeast)

That corn is a monster! I would love to see one like that. And, of course, the milks are stunning. Thanks for sharing.
by Mike VanValen
April 25th, 2015, 5:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping NW Ohio April 9-11
Replies: 5
Views: 4806

Re: Herping NW Ohio April 9-11

Nice variety. Those black garters are special. :thumb:
by Mike VanValen
April 25th, 2015, 10:37 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snapping Turtle in Southwestern Ontario
Replies: 2
Views: 1995

Re: Snapping Turtle in Southwestern Ontario

Congrats. I understand they are a species of special concern up that way?
by Mike VanValen
April 22nd, 2015, 3:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: SOUTH AFRICA - THE KAROO [PHOTO HEAVY]
Replies: 14
Views: 9514

Re: SOUTH AFRICA - THE KAROO [PHOTO HEAVY]

Really nice post. I love all the tortoise and habitat shots.
by Mike VanValen
April 19th, 2015, 5:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: April 2015 Species Counts
Replies: 12
Views: 5613

Re: April 2015 Species Counts

Today, New Haven County, CT

30 painted turtles (probably more)
small chorus, spring peepers
1 northern watersnake
by Mike VanValen
April 17th, 2015, 10:18 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: common garter snake
Replies: 7
Views: 4155

Re: found a really cool LT Syspila

:thumb:
by Mike VanValen
April 15th, 2015, 8:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping in Roatan Island, Honduras
Replies: 9
Views: 7727

Re: Herping in Roatan Island, Honduras

We don't see enough Caribbean reports around these parts. Thanks for sharing your adventure. Looks like that male Ctenosaur lost his spiny tail?
by Mike VanValen
April 10th, 2015, 10:01 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: MAN INJURED WHILE SAVING A SNAPPING TURTLE!
Replies: 21
Views: 7594

Re: MAN INJURED WHILE SAVING A SNAPPING TURTLE!

I agree with Chris, and I will also add ; a snapper that size can be grasped by the sides of the shell, close to the hind legs, held out from your body, and moved across the road. When I say the sides, I mean four fingers UNDER the edge of the shell, and thumbs on top for support. I cringed when you...
by Mike VanValen
April 7th, 2015, 11:44 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Water Moccasins Ahead!
Replies: 19
Views: 6559

Re: Water Moccasins Ahead!

(species unknown, markings don't give away much)
The head markings actually do give away the ID. Sparse yellow markings and "arrowpoint" down the middle make these florida red-bellied cooters. (P. nelsoni).
by Mike VanValen
April 3rd, 2015, 7:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ID Help? I think it's a slider...
Replies: 10
Views: 3410

Re: ID Help? I think it's a slider...

That's something I've wanted to see since I was reading field guides as a kid.

...the Alligator Snapper is cool, too! :lol:
by Mike VanValen
March 28th, 2015, 10:41 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: turtle ID request
Replies: 5
Views: 3116

Re: turtle ID request

Old red-eared sliders and melanism go hand-in-hand.
by Mike VanValen
March 28th, 2015, 2:21 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Man dies on the trail - be careful out there
Replies: 11
Views: 5428

Re: Man dies on the trail - be careful out there

This is why I prefer herping on flat land, and that's no joke. I'm not as flexible as I used to be and trying to boulder-hop and other such exercises is not such a good idea to me anymore.

Jon, I commend you for sticking around and trying your best to help the situation.
by Mike VanValen
March 23rd, 2015, 8:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Georgia Winter 2015
Replies: 7
Views: 4224

Re: Georgia Winter 2015

Sweet post. You guys tore it up, great job. That's a gorgeous EDB.
by Mike VanValen
March 23rd, 2015, 8:33 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: senior project a success
Replies: 14
Views: 4601

Re: senior project a success

Congratulations.
by Mike VanValen
March 15th, 2015, 10:11 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: How much does it cost?
Replies: 55
Views: 27276

Re: How much does it cost?

Very interesting topic. Geography plays a role as well. In the Northeast, roadcruising is not as popular (or productive) as it is in other areas of the country. I herp like a birder looks for birds in many aspects ; I drive to the spot, hike it, and return. On average I will visit 2 spots on any giv...
by Mike VanValen
March 9th, 2015, 10:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: That guy
Replies: 19
Views: 6464

Re: That guy

Note : If you hit Everglades National Park, do NOT bring a big light and do NOT shine!