Search found 391 matches

by umop apisdn
November 9th, 2017, 8:29 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Could Pattern Mimicry in Snakes be Misinterpreted?
Replies: 97
Views: 140873

Re: Could Pattern Mimicry in Snakes be Misinterpreted?

I question whether the bright colors of some aposematic species are more representative of a shared ancestral trait that hasn't evolved to be otherwise, given the fact that so many of these aposematically colored species are either fossorial or otherwise very secretive. What good do bright colors do...
by umop apisdn
October 6th, 2016, 6:28 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herp Surveys in Jackson County, FL
Replies: 3
Views: 2775

Re: Herp Surveys in Jackson County, FL

The black tail tip on the last tadpole is characteristic of a cricket frog tadpole. The one right before that is a little too hard for me to tell on my mobile screen, but my brain is telling me it has the slightly odd shape of a narrowmouth. We'll wait for someone else to chime in... Also, your gree...
by umop apisdn
April 14th, 2016, 10:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Best GPS for field use
Replies: 16
Views: 6917

Re: Best GPS for field use

As someone who has had the 60CSx since around 2009, I can say it is generally a good GPS, but it has flaws. Regardless, buy a screen protector. They make these GPSes with what seems like the softest of plastics. It will scratch your first time out if you don't protect it. Also, the directional pad s...
by umop apisdn
March 30th, 2016, 6:36 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Fungal Disease in Wild Snakes?
Replies: 26
Views: 10909

Re: Fungal Disease in Wild Snakes?

I can't speak for Will, but as I already suggested, you should contact Dr. Charles Smith at Wofford. Will is extremely busy at this time of year and is also fishing through a constant sea of calls from SC residents claiming to have copperheads they want removed. Additionally, I don't think Will/SCDN...
by umop apisdn
March 28th, 2016, 8:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Fungal Disease in Wild Snakes?
Replies: 26
Views: 10909

Re: Fungal Disease in Wild Snakes?

Look up Dr. Chuck Smith at Wofford College. Shouldn't be too far from you, and he has a student that is trying to obtain samples to test snakes for SFD.
by umop apisdn
March 8th, 2016, 10:38 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South Carolina Salamander ID Needed
Replies: 8
Views: 3801

Re: South Carolina Salamander ID Needed

Most certainly a dwarf salamander.
by umop apisdn
February 27th, 2016, 12:51 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Palmetto State Madness
Replies: 3
Views: 2109

Re: Palmetto State Madness

Gotta be careful what you say about the Coward name, as it's a pretty common surname in some areas of the state. Too bad you got turned around because of the vehicle. Don't feel bad about missing out on Mabee's salamanders. They're not the easiest salamander to find, in my experience. I'm at somethi...
by umop apisdn
February 18th, 2016, 10:56 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Can anyone help with information on snake gaiters?
Replies: 10
Views: 4496

Re: Can anyone help with information on snake gaiters?

Look up "foreverlast snake guard shields" on Amazon. While I can't attest to their efficacy in the case of an actual bite (I honestly can't for any of the protective leg/foot gear I've worn in the past 9 years), I can say they're great. Lightweight, easily fold/portable, and comfortable. I...
by umop apisdn
February 17th, 2016, 6:56 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: How Old?
Replies: 3
Views: 1849

Re: How Old?

I found T. relicta once that was small enough to coil up on a dime. I would guess this animal was born in either 2015 or 2014.
by umop apisdn
February 10th, 2016, 7:44 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herpetology technician Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
Replies: 1
Views: 1389

Re: Herpetology technician Savannah National Wildlife Refuge

This is also a wonderful area for herping in general, and a very promising place for that person still dying to find a rainbow snake!

If I wasn't already working a job in SC with herps, I would have snatched up this opportunity in a heartbeat.
by umop apisdn
February 10th, 2016, 7:37 pm
Forum: Fish Forum
Topic: crazy times
Replies: 137
Views: 142442

Re: crazy times

This isn't so much of a humorous story as one of those stories where it happens, you have nothing to record that it happened, and it sounds like I made it up whenever I tell it... Back in 2008, I was working on a WMA and checking if any of the bass would bite in any of the ponds. It blew my mind tha...
by umop apisdn
February 10th, 2016, 7:18 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Post your 1 best photo from 2015!
Replies: 61
Views: 49362

Re: Post your 1 best photo from 2015!

I saw so many animals and made decent headway on lifers, but didn't end up taking nearly enough photos to justify all I'd seen. Left it to this girl to pose in a nice spot. Although...I can't tell if it's just my monitor or what, but this photo now looks blown out to me, or Flickr has screwed up the...
by umop apisdn
December 6th, 2015, 9:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Unusual cinerea?
Replies: 12
Views: 6081

Re: Unusual cinerea?

Wow, Nate. I think you managed to post the picture of the exact same individual that immediately came to mind for me.
by umop apisdn
December 1st, 2015, 4:37 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Unusual cinerea?
Replies: 12
Views: 6081

Re: Unusual cinerea?

I've seen it in SC.
by umop apisdn
November 4th, 2015, 5:27 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: macro photo and video dslr?
Replies: 7
Views: 6847

Re: macro photo and video dslr?

'Closeup' is a relative term. How tiny are the tiniest things you look forward to photo/video? Also, which camera body do you have? I highly suggest starting small and moving your way up. My experience has been to learn the limitations of the gear I have, then move from there. A macro lens was one o...
by umop apisdn
October 25th, 2015, 5:38 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Short Film about Crotalid Research
Replies: 12
Views: 5305

Re: Short Film about Crotalid Research

Unfortunately, Alex is out of the country for a semester abroad, and of course YouTube has taken down the video, at least here in the US. Trying to get in touch with him so he can get this rectified.
by umop apisdn
October 21st, 2015, 4:42 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Short Film about Crotalid Research
Replies: 12
Views: 5305

Re: Short Film about Crotalid Research

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HKs4TMvm9bU
You also made an awesome promo, don't forget that!
by umop apisdn
August 29th, 2015, 8:51 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Maintaining a collection and travel/living situations
Replies: 12
Views: 7663

Re: Maintaining a collection and travel/living situations

As a Uroplatus addict, I had to give up on the genus entirely because of the need to pursue jobs. I'd occasionally get back into them, but it would be a couple of years tops before my life/living/work situation was no longer compatible. Now I just do my best to be content with wild herps...and it he...
by umop apisdn
July 3rd, 2015, 5:45 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Florida Keys Hemidactylus ID
Replies: 6
Views: 4721

Re: Florida Keys Hemidactylus ID

First two are H. mabouia, last is H. garnotii.

Edit: stupid iPhone, thought it was certainly garnotii at first glance. Hard to tell after zooming, but still leaning garnotii.
by umop apisdn
June 25th, 2015, 9:51 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Not the only one out looking for 'snakes'
Replies: 33
Views: 10995

Re: Not the only one out looking for 'snakes'

Yea...corn fields of rural SC aren't exactly the place for women of the night. For all I knew, I could have been ambushed in meth town, which is a pretty darn scary thought when you realize you've let a sketchy stranger into your car as a good deed in the middle of nowhere. I wasn't making a light-h...
by umop apisdn
June 24th, 2015, 8:51 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Not the only one out looking for 'snakes'
Replies: 33
Views: 10995

Re: Not the only one out looking for 'snakes'

Not the weirdest, but I had a somewhat similar experience as OP. About a year ago, I moved to a new place and took on a new job. My experience had been in other rural places of SC leading up to this, and I was struggling to find little herping hot spots amidst thousands of acres of agriculture. So I...
by umop apisdn
June 21st, 2015, 6:31 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Field Guide for South Carolina?
Replies: 3
Views: 1978

Re: Field Guide for South Carolina?

As another online resource, try snakesandfrogs.com

For literature, Amphibians and Reptiles of the Carolinas and Virginia, 2nd ed.

There is also the set of books: snakes/lizards/turtles/etc of the southeast.
by umop apisdn
March 5th, 2015, 5:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Truths behind fake nature photography
Replies: 69
Views: 25685

Re: Truths behind fake nature photography

Nature faux-tography.
by umop apisdn
January 30th, 2015, 3:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Theme 5 - Strange things seen while herping
Replies: 35
Views: 12203

Re: Theme 5 - Strange things seen while herping

Jake, that appears to actually be a flare often used by military in night training exercises. I found more than I could count in my field work, and most often without the parachute attached. For the life of me, I cannot find an image of one, only a diagram. http://maritime.org/doc/pyro/img/fig064.jp...
by umop apisdn
January 23rd, 2015, 9:38 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: How to visually SEX a rattlesnake...
Replies: 24
Views: 27143

Re: How to SEX a rattlesnake...

In my experience, the number of subcaudals can be fairly reliable (as you mentioned, with some margin of error), but the cut-off can vary from one site to another. Seeing animals side-by-side is helpful, but an opportunity that's often not available. Body condition can sometimes be an indicator, at ...
by umop apisdn
January 23rd, 2015, 9:27 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2015 Spring Trip?
Replies: 11
Views: 3697

Re: 2015 Spring Trip?

Just be aware that it can still get really friggin cold at night in the NC mountains in April.
by umop apisdn
January 18th, 2015, 4:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Theme 5 - Strange things seen while herping
Replies: 35
Views: 12203

Re: Theme 5 - Strange things seen while herping

Sorry, I got a bit busy and didn't have the time to follow up. You're correct that it is an invertebrate. As far as I can tell, it was alive. It was found under a chunk of limestone rock outside of any tidal influence, though there was a small amount of fresh water pooled up nearby (for the savvy on...
by umop apisdn
January 18th, 2015, 4:30 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Intorduction and End of the Year Post 2014
Replies: 17
Views: 5155

Re: Intorduction and End of the Year Post 2014

Good stuff! That first longtail salamander looks funky. That's an aberrant individual, right?
by umop apisdn
January 15th, 2015, 7:41 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Theme 5 - Strange things seen while herping
Replies: 35
Views: 12203

Re: Theme 5 - Strange things seen while herping

Found this under a rock in the Florida Keys 10 years ago. Took me around 8 years to figure out what it was.

Image

Any guesses?
by umop apisdn
January 10th, 2015, 4:17 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South carolina
Replies: 3
Views: 2120

Re: South carolina

Yes, Congaree is a good place for cottonmouths. Should be a good bit around there. In the bit of time I tried the area, I got rat snakes, cottonmouths, copperheads, canebrakes, water snakes, and garter snakes. A good variety of frogs around there, too.
by umop apisdn
December 27th, 2014, 2:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Hot Stove Herping, 2014
Replies: 28
Views: 18514

Re: Hot Stove Herping, 2014

Whew! Looks like the year treated you well. How satisfying!
by umop apisdn
December 18th, 2014, 9:49 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Theme 2 - Interspecies interaction.
Replies: 37
Views: 11184

Re: Theme 2 - Interspecies interaction.

Right near the center. Little guy, head outstretched.
by umop apisdn
December 15th, 2014, 4:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Theme 2 - Interspecies interaction.
Replies: 37
Views: 11184

Re: Theme 2 - Interspecies interaction.

After the fact interaction, C. constrictor priapus and O. ventralis . https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6748829271_430b4361a9_b.jpg DOR racer with glass lizard by Mike D. Martin , on Flickr Some things you get to experience via radiotelemetry that you'd normally never have the opportunity to notic...
by umop apisdn
December 14th, 2014, 5:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Year in Review....kinda
Replies: 12
Views: 3436

Re: Year in Review....kinda

Very nice. Your pics always make me wish I got around more.

Which state were the muds from?
by umop apisdn
December 14th, 2014, 12:56 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Theme 2 - Interspecies interaction.
Replies: 37
Views: 11184

Re: Theme 2 - Interspecies interaction.

Things were pretty eagerly going at it on this particular night. While I have seen plenty of mixed amplexus between more common species, this was the first I had seen between P. nigrita and P. ornata . https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8486577840_0134415957_c.jpg It's getting out of control! by Mi...
by umop apisdn
December 12th, 2014, 8:04 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Theme #1 - Snakes in the Road
Replies: 56
Views: 23208

Re: Theme #1 - Snakes in the Road

Unpaved roads are so much better.

ImageEastern Diamondback Rattlesnake on Road by Mike D. Martin, on Flickr
by umop apisdn
December 11th, 2014, 7:00 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Theme #1 - Snakes in the Road
Replies: 56
Views: 23208

Re: Theme #1 - Snakes in the Road

Might not look like a road, but it is. Crotalus adamanteus https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8501/8304609235_e6bca4d570_c.jpg Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake by Mike D. Martin , on Flickr Thamnophis sirtalis https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8468/8111424461_8bbd0581ce_c.jpg Eastern Garter Snake by Mike D....
by umop apisdn
December 5th, 2014, 7:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: About habitat and paper
Replies: 14
Views: 3184

Re: About habitat and paper

Most of the time (unless you are looking at gators or turtles) the habitat needs to be enhanced in some way to see the true densities of animals. In the western grasslands, board lines or sets as you SE people call them allow for this to happen. Without the coverboards and tins, 99.999% of resident...
by umop apisdn
December 5th, 2014, 7:34 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Let's add some life - Seasonal time for some themes
Replies: 21
Views: 5333

Re: Let's add some life - Seasonal time for some themes

For the sake of curiosity, I'd like to see a theme of oddballs, loosely defined. Just anything herp-related that's out of the ordinary. Interactions, locations, behaviors, mutations, deformities, etc. I know we've seen themed threads for things like wild albinos and the like, but I would like to see...
by umop apisdn
December 3rd, 2014, 5:04 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Water Snake using tail as lure?
Replies: 10
Views: 5330

Re: Water Snake using tail as lure?

It's not caudal luring, but it's arguably more interesting!

http://clarkii.nerodia.net/LingualLuring.html
by umop apisdn
November 23rd, 2014, 3:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mottled Gecko
Replies: 6
Views: 2412

Re: Mottled Gecko

So is that a picture of the same gecko? I was going to say it's possibly piebald. Definitely doesn't look like ecdysis, in my opinion. But there's also that possibility that there's just something weird/stress-related going on with it. edit: Upon looking again, I'm not confident it's piebald. While ...
by umop apisdn
November 9th, 2014, 2:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: "Florida's" House Geckos
Replies: 30
Views: 33453

Re: "Florida's" House Geckos

I thought I had heard of records in the past few years of S. argus turning up in certain places in the Keys (though, on our last trip we failed to find any), and I thought there were also supposed to still be places to go for G. albogularis. I guess I'm behind the times?
by umop apisdn
October 25th, 2014, 4:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Show Us Your Rattlesnake FIELD Pics and Video of 2014
Replies: 57
Views: 56122

Re: Show Us Your Rattlesnake FIELD Pics and Video of 2014

Wow, I hope nobody uses that video as an actual instructional video on how to bag any venomous snakes. Not only was it unsafe for the handler, but that big blood spot on the bag kinda stands as testament that his technique isn't very good for the animal.
by umop apisdn
October 16th, 2014, 9:25 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Reducing shadows/off camera flash?
Replies: 3
Views: 4439

Re: Reducing shadows/off camera flash?

I have created several cheap DIY designs for use with a Canon speedlite 430ex ii. Find the old style isopropyl alcohol or acetone bottles, cut the top off, and they fit right over the end of the flash. Either buy an off-shoe cord or invest in a wireless flash trigger. You can make a ring flash diffu...
by umop apisdn
September 22nd, 2014, 6:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Carolina Pygmies
Replies: 16
Views: 3578

Re: Carolina Pygmies

I've seen lots of pigmies in SC, never seen on that pink! I've had terrible luck with them this year. Every time the weather was nice, I had to work. As soon as I'd get out...rain, cold weather, or no-shows.
by umop apisdn
September 22nd, 2014, 3:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Carolina Pygmies
Replies: 16
Views: 3578

Re: Carolina Pygmies

Sweet! Are those from NC or SC?
by umop apisdn
August 8th, 2014, 4:08 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snake Bite Stats?
Replies: 20
Views: 7622

Re: Snake Bite Stats?

As far as I'm aware, your search for snakebite stats is futile thanks to HIPAA privacy laws.
by umop apisdn
August 6th, 2014, 2:33 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Indigos in Mangroves?
Replies: 18
Views: 6301

Re: Indigos in Mangroves?

That's unlikely from me, but here's the one friends found:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nclarkii/8325912150
by umop apisdn
August 4th, 2014, 5:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Indigos in Mangroves?
Replies: 18
Views: 6301

Re: Indigos in Mangroves?

Indigos used to be found in the Florida Keys and a couple of years ago, some friends and I found a shed off a mangrove trail in the Everglades only for some other friends to cruise one up on the main road in an area with nothing but mangroves on either side.
by umop apisdn
August 2nd, 2014, 3:33 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The thrill of the hunt, or the prize at the end?
Replies: 23
Views: 8218

Re: The thrill of the hunt, or the prize at the end?

When it's not just road cruising, it's the thrill of the hunt...though sometimes the peaceful rides through nice habitat contribute to the thrill of the hunt. I've definitely used cruising, despite results, as a way to unwind or escape. But since sometimes there is a prize somewhere in the hunt, I c...