Search found 184 matches

by salamanderhunter
August 19th, 2015, 8:57 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spot Recognition software
Replies: 8
Views: 3356

Spot Recognition software

Hey All. Does anyone have experience or suggestions for spot recognition software for cave salamanders? I know nothing about it, and thought some good person might be willing to give some advice before I dig in. Thank you!
by salamanderhunter
January 29th, 2015, 8:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Notes on Rough Green Snakes
Replies: 8
Views: 4213

Re: Notes on Rough Green Snakes

Thank you for your kind words everyone. It's good to get a pat on the back after so much work. :) Walk-about...in late may and early june, the snakes just disappeared. poof. nowhere to be found. except for juveniles. I had another location approx 20 miles away that I or one of the folks helping me c...
by salamanderhunter
January 27th, 2015, 7:22 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Notes on Rough Green Snakes
Replies: 8
Views: 4213

Notes on Rough Green Snakes

In 2014 I did an 'unofficial' study of Rough Green snakes. The purpose was simply to increase my own understanding of the natural history of this species, but I decided to share my notes here on the forum because 1) There are some great herpers and biologists here, and I would love to get your comme...
by salamanderhunter
November 20th, 2014, 3:08 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Question about snake locomotion
Replies: 5
Views: 3660

Re: Question about snake locomotion

I think the answer to your question is probably closer to yes than no. Most snakes can use all types of locomotion in a pinch, they just normally use the type that is the most energy efficient...or in some cases, like colubrids moving rectilinearly, the type that is most ninja-like. The upcoming &qu...
by salamanderhunter
November 12th, 2014, 9:44 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2014 in review: The Midwest
Replies: 14
Views: 8226

Re: 2014 in review: The Midwest

Beautiful longtail salamander!
by salamanderhunter
October 30th, 2014, 9:40 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Looking for advice on setting up a pit-trap array
Replies: 33
Views: 12058

Re: Looking for advice on setting up a pit-trap array

Another option to avoid the flooding problem is box traps. Basically a plastic tote with a hole cut in the sides near the top (with a trap door). Then a ramp or screen funnel from the ground to the trap doors. They don't work as well as pitfalls I don't think, but it will solve the flood problem.
by salamanderhunter
October 1st, 2014, 7:38 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Rough greens and tail wrapping
Replies: 2
Views: 2334

Re: Rough greens and tail wrapping

wow! now that's what I'm talking about. sent you a pm.
by salamanderhunter
September 30th, 2014, 7:22 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Rough greens and tail wrapping
Replies: 2
Views: 2334

Rough greens and tail wrapping

I'm looking for green snake stories (either species) for possible publication. I should say, experiences with cool green snake behaviors...predation, nest encounters, swimming, etc. Have anything to share? or cool pics? Also, here is a link to a video of a rough green tail wrapping. If you've ever t...
by salamanderhunter
August 24th, 2014, 7:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: interesting field observation
Replies: 8
Views: 3556

Re: interesting field observation

mfb...cool group. i assume a person must sign up for flickr to join?
by salamanderhunter
August 15th, 2014, 9:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Red-bellied Snake Lip-Curling Behavior
Replies: 14
Views: 5793

Re: Red-bellied Snake Lip-Curling Behavior

The lip curling behavior might be analogous to gaping in green snakes. They open their mouth to expose the black interior...and that's it. No attempt to bite.
by salamanderhunter
May 31st, 2014, 4:01 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Rough Green capturing a spider...link to my youtube video.
Replies: 9
Views: 2559

Re: Rough Green capturing a spider...link to my youtube vide

Thanks guys! If you watch the slow motion version, you'll see that the snake 'loses' the spider...the snake's head is oriented downward and it resumes head bobbing behavior (which they always do while foraging...most of the literature opines that this is a visual aid, although I think it has somethi...
by salamanderhunter
May 27th, 2014, 9:40 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Rough Green capturing a spider...link to my youtube video.
Replies: 9
Views: 2559

Rough Green capturing a spider...link to my youtube video.

A video of a Rough Green Snake capturing a spider. There is also a slow motion version on my channel...in which you can see the spider attack the snake twice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF6KRTrh0xM
by salamanderhunter
May 8th, 2014, 9:04 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snake I.D. help? Ecuador
Replies: 1
Views: 1019

Snake I.D. help? Ecuador

Hey All... I know this is a long shot, but a friend of mine is hoping to I.D. a snake she saw in Ecuador several years ago. Her description is this... "About a foot long, tan with dark markings." Location was rainforest "across the Napo River from Misahualli." Can anyone give an ...
by salamanderhunter
February 3rd, 2014, 9:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Field experience with Rough Greens? (No pics)
Replies: 6
Views: 1783

Re: Field experience with Rough Greens? (No pics)

Thanks guys. Yep, I have all of Plummer's papers, plus combed the literature for everything else I could find. Just wondering, among other things, if anyone had experience getting the 'high' ones down. I got one last season that was 25-30 feet up. Guess I'll just let those guys sleep. Never thought ...
by salamanderhunter
February 2nd, 2014, 10:59 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Field experience with Rough Greens? (No pics)
Replies: 6
Views: 1783

Field experience with Rough Greens? (No pics)

I'll be doing a rough green snake habitat comparison study next season that will involve mark/recapture, and thought I would seek out the advice of experience. I'll be searching for the snakes on their roosts at night. Anyone have experience with retrieving snakes roosting out of arms reach? cauteri...
by salamanderhunter
January 13th, 2014, 5:45 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Red Salamander Eggs
Replies: 6
Views: 1373

Re: Red Salamander Eggs

wow. just...wow. would love to know more about the habitat/microhabitat. :)
by salamanderhunter
January 13th, 2014, 5:44 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Southeast Ohio, 2013
Replies: 29
Views: 11627

Re: Southeast Ohio, 2013

Great post! Love the habitat pics! Thanks!
by salamanderhunter
January 13th, 2014, 5:23 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Peeper help in OH, WV, VA and KY
Replies: 8
Views: 3311

Re: Peeper help in OH, WV, VA and KY

Chillicothe, Ohio...typically march 15th I hear the first peepers...give or take a week.
by salamanderhunter
December 28th, 2013, 8:52 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Deadpool Seining (WAS: Electrofishing for Herps)
Replies: 16
Views: 5566

Re: Electrofishing for Herps

I have some experience with lake drainage in winter and turtles at least. Turtles will do two things in response to falling water levels...One...they'll simply dig out of the mud and move downslope to the receding water pools. Or two...(especially as the pools get very shallow)...they'll move 'downs...
by salamanderhunter
March 27th, 2013, 5:04 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: diurnal amphib. migration?
Replies: 3
Views: 1163

diurnal amphib. migration?

A friend of mine reported that she sat today watching a cooper's hawk picking off spotted salamanders at the edge of her pond. (Not in the water, but at the very edge.) This leads me to believe that the salamanders were attempting to leave the pond. I've seen several instances of amphibians migratin...
by salamanderhunter
March 10th, 2013, 7:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Distinguishing between A. maculatum and A. texanum eggs?
Replies: 4
Views: 1271

Re: Distinguishing between A. maculatum and A. texanum eggs?

maculatum have a double cell membrane that is visible. as far as I know, it's the only ambystomatid that does. I'm sure you can google for photos. :beer:
by salamanderhunter
March 5th, 2013, 4:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: January Spadefoots/Tigers & more in Tennessee
Replies: 6
Views: 1687

Re: January Spadefoots/Tigers & more in Tennessee

Interesting on the spades. Have you ever seen them out mid-winter before? May I ask what the temps were when they were out? Thanks!
by salamanderhunter
March 1st, 2013, 4:00 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herps & Habitat: Forest Pond Life
Replies: 13
Views: 4032

Re: Herps & Habitat: Forest Pond Life

I was wondering about how the egg masses survived the fish. A cougar at work...ridiculous! :crazyeyes: Love the reports...thanks!
by salamanderhunter
February 24th, 2013, 8:00 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herps & Habitat: Forest Pond Life
Replies: 13
Views: 4032

Re: Herps & Habitat: Forest Pond Life

awesome. So, is paedomorphic the same as neotenic? If so, do the NW sallies only use fishless ponds?
by salamanderhunter
February 16th, 2013, 6:10 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Something for Fil
Replies: 9
Views: 4155

Re: Something for Fil

Great video! Notice how it went for the "hole" in the substrate? I've found that I can often get a salamander to walk straight across a tracking tray by putting a piece of black construction paper or something similar on the other side. Otherwise they just kind of wander around, not laying...
by salamanderhunter
February 15th, 2013, 5:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Something for Fil
Replies: 9
Views: 4155

Re: Something for Fil

Wow! Wow on the tracks. Best sallie track i've seen. :beer:
by salamanderhunter
February 12th, 2013, 3:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Northern Red-legged Frogs Breeding
Replies: 7
Views: 2355

Re: Northern Red-legged Frogs Breeding

Awesome. Temperature does affect the color, although I'm not sure if it applies to all species. I've found wood frogs in winter that were nearly black.
by salamanderhunter
January 2nd, 2013, 11:34 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snakes on the hunt- a question.
Replies: 31
Views: 6283

Re: Snakes on the hunt- a question.

I’ve discovered that snakes can be followed when they are hunting, which isn’t as difficult as one might think because the snake can apparently be so intent on its objective that it doesn’t notice a person approaching if they are walking slowly and softly. One night I discovered that there were man...
by salamanderhunter
January 2nd, 2013, 11:33 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snakes on the hunt- a question.
Replies: 31
Views: 6283

Re: Snakes on the hunt- a question.

Wow! Thanks for your responses and awesome photos. mfb...awesome that you witnessed a rectilinear gait. As a herp tracker, it's something I rarely see evidence of...and great blog btw! Owen, I wonder if your tandem garters were actually a male that wouldn't let the female out its sight. That was int...
by salamanderhunter
December 31st, 2012, 9:43 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snakes on the hunt- a question.
Replies: 31
Views: 6283

Snakes on the hunt- a question.

Has anyone had the opportunity to observe a snake on the hunt? Personally, I've observed several colubrids actively hunting (not waiting in ambush), but I've never seen a pit viper do this. I would love to hear about your experiences. Thanks!
by salamanderhunter
December 7th, 2012, 8:43 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: You know you're a herper if...
Replies: 15
Views: 5752

Re: You know you're a herper if...

:lol: :lol: :lol: Great stuff guys. You know you're a herper if you go to meet your new girlfriends parents for the first time...and you've flipped everything in their yard before you even get to the door. ....if you know roughly how many fan belts and banana peels are on a given stretch of road at ...
by salamanderhunter
December 6th, 2012, 5:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: You know you're a herper if...
Replies: 15
Views: 5752

You know you're a herper if...

you've referred to a pregnant woman as gravid. you've actually road cruised a rubber snake. you're car has no reverse.... Actually, we had a thread on here on this subject...but I can't find it....was that pre-crash? thanks!
by salamanderhunter
August 29th, 2012, 12:43 am
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report
Replies: 78
Views: 167262

Re: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report

awesome. love the 'gator lizard trail!
by salamanderhunter
August 29th, 2012, 12:36 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Arizona
Replies: 15
Views: 4607

Re: Arizona

your coyote track is a feline...difficult to tell what species without a size reference though...cat species don't differ as much as dog species in the track morphology. yes on the bear. and great post! thanks!
by salamanderhunter
August 28th, 2012, 1:47 am
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: A bit early for owl courtship?
Replies: 1
Views: 1890

A bit early for owl courtship?

I heard a great horned owl duet last night. Isn't it a bit early for that? (Ohio)
by salamanderhunter
July 6th, 2012, 10:33 pm
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report
Replies: 78
Views: 167262

Re: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report

You're mystery insect track is from a mussel. That trail stumped me for many months until I finally saw one making it. It's been quite awhile so I can't remember much about it...other than its from a bi-valve. :crazyeyes:
by salamanderhunter
July 2nd, 2012, 6:15 pm
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report
Replies: 78
Views: 167262

Re: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report

Fil, Quote: My first response without studying the photo too much... when one trail is on top of another...the pressure against the substrate can get tricky to read...often hopelessly confused. Parts are destroyed and other parts are modified. So i wouldn't look too much at the section of the trail ...
by salamanderhunter
July 2nd, 2012, 3:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Guess the snake track....Theos?
Replies: 33
Views: 9824

Re: Guess the snake track....Theos?

just to be clear... a rattler often leaves a tail drag that is more broad and flat since the tip of it's tail is more broad and flat and doesn't come to a point...like a v-shaped "ditch" as does a colubrid. I downloaded and zoomed in on the photo... and I can't make it out well enough to m...
by salamanderhunter
July 2nd, 2012, 3:17 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: jerky rats
Replies: 13
Views: 2736

Re: jerky rats

Gerry. I agree with you on most points. I don't mix species, I release at the point of capture and keep them for only 30 days. The problem is that if we keep them longer than 30 days...we have to pit tag them by law. State Parks barely has the money to keep the nature center running...much less to p...
by salamanderhunter
July 1st, 2012, 4:56 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Guess the snake track....Theos?
Replies: 33
Views: 9824

Re: Guess the snake track....Theos?

Have any close up shots? The thick tail drag (the little track within the track) is indicative of rattlers.
by salamanderhunter
July 1st, 2012, 4:52 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: jerky rats
Replies: 13
Views: 2736

Re: jerky rats

Thanks for the replies! I only keep the snakes in the nature center for 30 days or so and then release. I just replaced one of the black rats with a new individual. There isn't nearly the amount of 'jerking' as their was with the previous occupant. Interesting.
by salamanderhunter
June 29th, 2012, 8:36 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: jerky rats
Replies: 13
Views: 2736

Re: jerky rats

could you elaborate a bit? is this a territorial or dominance thing? do you mean tongue flicking? Thanks!
by salamanderhunter
June 28th, 2012, 8:03 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: jerky rats
Replies: 13
Views: 2736

jerky rats

I put a black rat snake in the enclosure (nature center) with another black rat. They both started 'jerking'... what is this behavior? Thanks!
by salamanderhunter
June 21st, 2012, 4:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Relocating....
Replies: 7
Views: 1978

Re: Relocating....

This is an awesome opportunity to monitor the turtle's response by tracking them. I've found that most adult emydids and softy's migrate quickly downstream (the drainage channels that form in the lake bed when the last bit of water is draining) after a sudden drainage. This can be a problem if they ...
by salamanderhunter
June 11th, 2012, 1:01 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Biting off more than one can chew?
Replies: 14
Views: 3172

Re: Biting off more than one can chew?

I captured a sub-adult E. milk the other day for a snake program. It regurged 5 pinky prairie voles...
by salamanderhunter
June 8th, 2012, 8:18 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring in Indiana
Replies: 8
Views: 2532

Re: Spring in Indiana

unusual looking carapace on that snapper...
by salamanderhunter
June 7th, 2012, 7:12 pm
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report
Replies: 78
Views: 167262

Re: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report

My first response without studying the photo too much... when one trail is on top of another...the pressure against the substrate can get tricky to read...often hopelessly confused. Parts are destroyed and other parts are modified. So i wouldn't look too much at the section of the trail where one tr...