Search found 269 matches
- April 19th, 2020, 5:40 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Rought night for peepers: predation by a turtle, bullfrog and beetle.
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2772
Re: Rought night for peepers: predation by a turtle, bullfrog and beetle.
Thanks! Lots of fun to see.
- April 18th, 2020, 8:40 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Rought night for peepers: predation by a turtle, bullfrog and beetle.
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2772
Rought night for peepers: predation by a turtle, bullfrog and beetle.
Recently I was out in northeast Ohio listening for frogs at night. I noticed a painted turtle swimming under a peeper. The turtle grabbed the peeper from underwater chewed it and swallowed it in less than 90 seconds. Here is a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COSzVr5v1H8 Sometimes the turtle m...
- September 24th, 2019, 3:03 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Frog, salamander, turtle and snake photos & videos from 2019
- Replies: 2
- Views: 9806
Re: Frog, salamander, turtle and snake photos & videos from 2019
Thanks Bill, I appreciate it!
That pickerel frog video means a lot to me because of the amount of time (several years) before finding one calling close enough to let me record it.
That pickerel frog video means a lot to me because of the amount of time (several years) before finding one calling close enough to let me record it.
- September 21st, 2019, 12:35 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Frog, salamander, turtle and snake photos & videos from 2019
- Replies: 2
- Views: 9806
Frog, salamander, turtle and snake photos & videos from 2019
It has been a while, but I wanted to share some herp photos and videos from earlier this year. This is a mix of cameras, locations and species. I hope you enjoy! One of our very special, all-female unisexual salamanders swimming underwater. Seen in northeastern Ohio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=...
- June 24th, 2018, 4:06 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Bullfrog call causing ripples in the water
- Replies: 4
- Views: 5633
Re: Bullfrog call causing ripples in the water
Thanks Jimi and Bill! That is a neat comparison with the Alligator. Still haven't seen Alligators bellowing in the wild, hope to do that soon. I've seen many Bullfrogs call, but never noticed this effect before. I think it was the night photos and flash that made me notice. Mike
- June 23rd, 2018, 12:41 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Bullfrog call causing ripples in the water
- Replies: 4
- Views: 5633
Bullfrog call causing ripples in the water
Some of you may enjoy these photos and video showing a male Bullfrog causing water to splash and ripple with his deep call. Taken in June 2018. Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Best, Mike https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1yfkoqvz_Q Video: Photos: Resting between calls https://photos.smugmug.com/Frogs/i-DqRf4X...
- June 2nd, 2018, 4:16 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: The Mystery of the granted green Pseudacris
- Replies: 8
- Views: 8468
- December 8th, 2017, 8:30 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Evolution of Venom and the 'Red Queen Hypothesis'
- Replies: 5
- Views: 5550
Re: Evolution of Venom and the 'Red Queen Hypothesis'
A great topic for biology students to learn about! I teach about this topic in my herpetology class at Case Western Reserve University. If you PM me your email address, I would be happy to send you some of my slides, and pdfs of the scientific papers from the studies I discuss in class. There are so...
- May 29th, 2017, 12:35 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Adult frog eating tadpole, fighting frogs and toads, etc.
- Replies: 5
- Views: 4022
Re: Adult frog eating tadpole, fighting frogs and toads, etc
Thanks Bill!
I have never seen spotted or other salamander larvae eating tads, would love to see that sometime. There are also some jeffersons-complex Amybstoma larvae in the pond from this video, but they don't seem to get big enough in time to eat the wood larvae.
I have never seen spotted or other salamander larvae eating tads, would love to see that sometime. There are also some jeffersons-complex Amybstoma larvae in the pond from this video, but they don't seem to get big enough in time to eat the wood larvae.
- May 21st, 2017, 12:58 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Adult frog eating tadpole, fighting frogs and toads, etc.
- Replies: 5
- Views: 4022
Re: Adult frog eating tadpole, fighting frogs and toads, etc
Hi Carl, That is really interesting that the wood frogs avoided the green frog but the toads didn't. In the vernal pool I watched, the wood frog tads didn't seem to notice the green frog when it was sitting still. They would just swarm around it until the green frog struck, then the tads would speed...
- May 20th, 2017, 12:28 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Adult frog eating tadpole, fighting frogs and toads, etc.
- Replies: 5
- Views: 4022
Adult frog eating tadpole, fighting frogs and toads, etc.
Every couple weeks this spring I have been taking video at the same pond to document wood frogs from the mating season through egg and tadpole development, to metamorphosis and movement away from the pond. This is a small vernal pool in a forest. One day I noticed an adult male Green Frog sitting in...
- May 14th, 2017, 7:03 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Large aggregation of painted turtles
- Replies: 3
- Views: 3119
Re: Large aggregation of painted turtles
Very nice!
In any one pond, most I have seen is about 50, mix of paints and blanding's turtles. But several hundred in a day across multiple wetlands.
In any one pond, most I have seen is about 50, mix of paints and blanding's turtles. But several hundred in a day across multiple wetlands.
- May 14th, 2017, 6:52 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Vipera berus nikolskii
- Replies: 5
- Views: 4201
Re: Vipera berus nikolskii
Beautiful!
- May 14th, 2017, 6:49 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Lifer King Cobra
- Replies: 23
- Views: 17419
Re: Lifer King Cobra
This is a great video - you really carried us along on the adventure with you. Thanks for sharing it.
- April 22nd, 2017, 5:22 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: trip report Peloponnese (Greece) April 2017
- Replies: 8
- Views: 6599
Re: trip report Peloponnese (Greece) April 2017
Fantastic! That is a lot of great species to see. And wonderful you are getting the whole family involved. I understand the challenges of herping trips with a couple young kids, but you are doing it right! Mike
- April 22nd, 2017, 5:19 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Malaysia 2017, part 5: Kubah National Park
- Replies: 14
- Views: 11506
Re: Malaysia 2017, part 5: Kubah National Park
These were great to read, thanks for sharing! Would love to take a trip to Malaysia sometime.
- April 22nd, 2017, 5:18 am
- Forum: News
- Topic: Man dies after eating dish with toads
- Replies: 1
- Views: 10058
Man dies after eating dish with toads
I don't see these types of stories often, thought others might be interested in this sad situation:
Man dies after eating bullfrog dish apparently intermixed with toads
Man dies after eating bullfrog dish apparently intermixed with toads
- April 22nd, 2017, 5:15 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Neuroethology of Toads
- Replies: 5
- Views: 3012
Re: Neuroethology of Toads
Hi Kelly, Thanks for the kind comments on the website, I really appreciate it! I am slowly adding more sections, usually based on questions people email to me. The part I am working on now is a FAQ about why and how frogs call; it should be added in a couple weeks. It is great to be able to teach he...
- April 8th, 2017, 9:10 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Neuroethology of Toads
- Replies: 5
- Views: 3012
Re: Neuroethology of Toads
These are great videos, thanks for sharing! I think I will use them next time I teach my undergraduate herpetology class. The ability to watch the toad respond (or not) to different stimuli, and the nerve responses associated with the stimuli, provides a really compelling addition to just reading th...
- March 26th, 2017, 10:05 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: VIDEO: Hawskbill Sea Turtle
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2007
Re: VIDEO: Hawskbill Sea Turtle
Awesome! Thanks for sharing. Got to snorkle with green turtles a few years ago. Would love to see some hawksbills.
- March 26th, 2017, 10:04 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Unusual behavior of amphibians
- Replies: 9
- Views: 5259
Re: Unusual behavior of amphibians
Great photos! It is not uncommon to find frogs amplexing salamanders. Male frogs are often in a breeding frenzy. When they amplex other frogs of the same species, the frogs "release call" tells them to let go. But salamanders can't make the release call, so the frogs may hang on for a long...
- November 19th, 2016, 1:19 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Yet another Missouri/Illinois post
- Replies: 11
- Views: 10244
Re: Yet another Missouri/Illinois post
Coming in pretty late here, but this is an awesome post. Love the grotto salamander and the many in-situ shots!
- November 19th, 2016, 1:13 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Herp Photography 2016 - 2/3
- Replies: 5
- Views: 5792
Re: Herp Photography 2016 - 2/3
Very nice photos! I particularly like the one of the snake swimming away. The striped gophers are great too. Wish I had gotten some good photos of them when I lived in CA.
- September 17th, 2016, 9:51 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: herpetological parenting
- Replies: 6
- Views: 4343
Re: herpetological parenting
nice to get the kids started on herps young! they pick so much up from how their parents approach herps and the rest of the natural world. Sometimes out in the metroparks or visiting the zoo I overhear parents telling their kids about how gross / scary / bad certain animals are. Just sad.
- September 17th, 2016, 9:49 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Dog does herps.
- Replies: 18
- Views: 11409
Re: Dog does herps.
Nice! Did you train her to seek out herps, or does she just do it on her own?
- September 17th, 2016, 9:47 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Videos of salamanders eating in the rain
- Replies: 9
- Views: 4260
Re: Videos of salamanders eating in the rain
Jeroen, very nice! Salamandra are high on my list of herps I'd love to see in the wild someday.
- September 14th, 2016, 7:02 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Videos of salamanders eating in the rain
- Replies: 9
- Views: 4260
Re: Videos of salamanders eating in the rain
Thanks everyone, glad you enjoyed! Kelly, I am planning to make more. Here is one of my favorites from May 2016. Next year I would like to make a couple videos on frog lifecycles from mating season through metamorphosis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=559VRUE1MwQ I agree about the slow motion. I ju...
- September 13th, 2016, 6:57 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Videos of salamanders eating in the rain
- Replies: 9
- Views: 4260
Videos of salamanders eating in the rain
We had a big rainstorm come through northeast Ohio on Saturday night, so I headed to the woods to see what was happening. Lots of amphibian activity, including wood frog juveniles, an American toad, spring peepers, a two lined salamander, and a newt. But the most obvious amphibian out in the rain wa...
- September 13th, 2016, 6:48 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: AUGUST 2016: TRIP TO AUSTRALIA, SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA
- Replies: 12
- Views: 5432
Re: AUGUST 2016: TRIP TO AUSTRALIA, SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA
Great shots, thanks for sharing!
- September 13th, 2016, 6:43 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: First 3/4 of 2016- part three, to Arizona and back
- Replies: 12
- Views: 7937
Re: First 3/4 of 2016- part three, to Arizona and back
Fantastic trio of posts! I always enjoy these. The mix of habitat and non-herp organisms is fantastic. One of the things that struck me this time was the color pattern on the heads of the painted turtles. So different from what I see in Ohio. Thanks!
- August 30th, 2016, 8:41 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: When is habitat restoration for herps a good thing?
- Replies: 42
- Views: 28345
Re: When is habitat restoration for herps a good thing?
Very interesting and informative thread to read. Just catching back up on it now. Jimi, your metaphor for conservation work as a long-distance relay really resonated with me. I don't think we can just assume that there will always be resources available Over the course of my career I have struggled ...
- August 30th, 2016, 8:38 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Tadpole Visual Guide - Seeking Photo Contributions
- Replies: 2
- Views: 2197
Re: Tadpole Visual Guide - Seeking Photo Contributions
Hi Matt, You are welcome to use the flickr embed code to add these photos of mine to your thread. American toad development: https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/660/23328695705_3473216bef_c.jpg American Toad Development: Egg to Metamorphosis by Mike Benard , on Flickr Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor) tadpo...
- August 23rd, 2016, 6:15 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: South Africa and Namibia Lizard ID help...
- Replies: 5
- Views: 4038
Re: South Africa and Namibia Lizard ID help...
Hi Andy, Can't help with the IDs, but just wanted to say it looks like a cool trip! If you have any habitat photos, I'd love to see them. Mike
- August 8th, 2016, 9:16 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Why You Dont Collect
- Replies: 279
- Views: 1425299
Re: Why You Dont Collect
Self interrogation of one's actions and motives, professional or personal is healthy and growth inducing even if contained as internal thought experience. I offer the question I have in a spirit of neutrality and with respect to all who have conveyed firm input. My question concerns the possibility...
- August 8th, 2016, 9:05 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Why You Dont Collect
- Replies: 279
- Views: 1425299
Re: Why You Dont Collect
Yep, same here.Jeroen Speybroeck wrote:Amen! Thanks a lot for your post. Unlikely to convince the one it was mainly meant for, but at least it's factual and objective, and enjoyed by me.VanAR wrote:just that the witch hunt against science, over and over again, ignores a lot of reality.
- August 6th, 2016, 6:55 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Why You Dont Collect
- Replies: 279
- Views: 1425299
Re: Why You Dont Collect
Kelly, Thanks for starting this thread. The great discussions and comments on this thread are one of the reasons I keep coming back to FHF. This quote from Tamara is a good summary of why I don't collect pets now: I don't collect because I am trying to get less responsibility, not more. Between time...
- August 6th, 2016, 5:59 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: When is habitat restoration for herps a good thing?
- Replies: 42
- Views: 28345
Re: When is habitat restoration for herps a good thing?
Hi Jonathan, thanks for starting a very interesting thread. I have been involved in varying degrees with a number of wetland creation / restoration projects in the midwestern US. In general, these have been successful. Amphibians populations were either introduced or naturally colonized the ponds, a...
- July 17th, 2016, 7:16 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Taiwan frogs from the first half of 2016
- Replies: 5
- Views: 4584
Re: Taiwan frogs from the first half of 2016
Great photos and descriptions. I would love to see Hynobius in the wild sometime. Also, that was interesting information about the Polypedates. I'm going to have to read up on that.
- July 17th, 2016, 7:13 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: next generation, frog-blood-suckers, calling frogs
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2881
Re: next generation, frog-blood-suckers, calling frogs
Thanks!
Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to get back to the bullfrog eggs for a final late-development photo.
Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to get back to the bullfrog eggs for a final late-development photo.
- July 17th, 2016, 7:12 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: 2016 First Half Review: Herping the Southeast
- Replies: 6
- Views: 5282
Re: 2016 First Half Review: Herping the Southeast
Very nice! I especially like the spring salamander larva.
- June 24th, 2016, 5:31 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: next generation, frog-blood-suckers, calling frogs
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2881
next generation, frog-blood-suckers, calling frogs
Just a few photos and videos from northeast Ohio. Calling gray treefrogs: https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7352/26757060864_830605c9d7_c.jpg Gray Treefrog Calling From Tree Trunk by Mike Benard , on Flickr https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtbkiRcTseU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-OVP8ukTCM Calling G...
- May 29th, 2016, 5:49 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Introduction of Myself - New Herper - Advice on Books, etc.
- Replies: 9
- Views: 6180
Re: Introduction of Myself - New Herper - Advice on Books, e
Bryan's suggestions are spot-on. Rick Shine's book, Australian Snakes: A Natural History is also well worth reading. The information and stories are widely applicable beyond Australian snakes. http://www.amazon.com/Australian-Snakes-Natural-History-Comstock/dp/0801482615 You should also consider joi...
- May 29th, 2016, 5:40 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: NAFHA Meeting, Mena, AR?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 7700
Re: NAFHA Meeting, Mena, AR?
Hmmmmm . . . sounds . . . interesting!Hadar wrote:It was crunchy honey peanut butter with extra honey and dill pickle slices.mfb wrote:Fantastic trip report, thanks for sharing!
What was in that sandwich?
- May 28th, 2016, 8:50 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Pelonnese solo quickie
- Replies: 16
- Views: 10617
Re: Pelonnese solo quickie
Great stuff, thanks for posting! And very kind of you to save that turtle in the well. What was that cage/trap thing shown in one photo? This post makes me want to visit Greece for some herping.
- May 28th, 2016, 8:38 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: NAFHA Meeting, Mena, AR?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 7700
Re: NAFHA Meeting, Mena, AR?
Fantastic trip report, thanks for sharing!
What was in that sandwich?
What was in that sandwich?
- May 14th, 2016, 7:48 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Toad videos and a few other things
- Replies: 0
- Views: 3888
Toad videos and a few other things
After a warm winter and an early spring, we had a cool-down for a few weeks that has slowed down some amphibian breeding in northeast Ohio. I have been having fun trying to take more video this year when I get a chance. Here are a few American Toads calling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zdOUNcCj...
- May 14th, 2016, 7:40 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: NAFHA Meeting, Mena, AR?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 7700
Re: NAFHA Meeting, Mena, AR?
Sounds like a great trip, looking forward to seeing the trip reports with photos.
- May 8th, 2016, 12:00 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: More photos from the Peruvian Amazon
- Replies: 5
- Views: 5066
Re: More photos from the Peruvian Amazon
Great stuff, thanks for sharing! Those inverts are as impressive as the herps. Whets my appetite for a trip to the Amazon.
- May 8th, 2016, 11:56 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Need Expert Opinion On Panamint Rattlesnake ID
- Replies: 56
- Views: 35952
Re: Need Expert Opinion On Panamint Rattlesnake ID
Hi Hanna, That looks like Emily Taylor's herp class from the link. If you have not done so already, I'd encourage you to reach out to Emily directly about the snake. She's been doing work with herps, including rattlesnakes, since the 90s. Maybe she can give you more photos / info on the ID. http://p...
- April 17th, 2016, 3:19 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Underwater Wood Frog Eggscape
- Replies: 2
- Views: 2021
Re: Underwater Wood Frog Eggscape
Thanks! Never saw that show but I think my kids would like it. Will have to check Netflix for full episodes!