Search found 52 matches

by troy hibbitts
January 30th, 2014, 11:56 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mexican White-lipped Frogs in Texas
Replies: 6
Views: 1972

Re: Mexican White-lipped Frogs in Texas

even when you find them calling, they call from INSIDE grass clumps, and are extremely difficult to locate when you do find them

Troy
by troy hibbitts
January 15th, 2014, 6:50 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A reminder to feed your snakes pre-killed food.
Replies: 23
Views: 6823

Re: A reminder to feed your snakes pre-killed food.

although I feed virtually everything frozen/thawed, this really is a situation that depends on the snake and the keeper. You could add the caveat that if you're going to feed live, to never leave the potential prey item in with the snake unmonitored (this situation could have been prevented by remov...
by troy hibbitts
January 10th, 2014, 7:42 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: SSAR Standardized Names
Replies: 39
Views: 6894

Re: SSAR Standardized Names

I think part of the problem is that the old system we used (your old 1959 Conant Guide names) was fraught with inconsistencies, silly grammar errors, etc.. To fix this, some of those old names have to go. We have to develop a coherent, demonstrable and easily applied plan before we start. But if yo...
by troy hibbitts
January 9th, 2014, 6:47 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2013 in FL, OH, AZ, CA and Belize
Replies: 12
Views: 10867

Re: 2013 in FL, OH, AZ, CA and Belize

i agree - that melanistic massauga was incredible! I would have shot 100+ images of that one!
by troy hibbitts
January 8th, 2014, 9:58 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: New Field Project aimed at rediscovering the Golden Toad!
Replies: 29
Views: 8981

Re: New Field Project aimed at rediscovering the Golden Toad

Andy, Your constructive criticism sounded like "how do you guys expect anyone to donate to you 'cause you're not academics" rather than "you guys really need to clarify things on your website in order to have a better chance of successfully generating your funds". $15K is not a L...
by troy hibbitts
January 8th, 2014, 8:45 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: New Field Project aimed at rediscovering the Golden Toad!
Replies: 29
Views: 8981

Re: New Field Project aimed at rediscovering the Golden Toad

Other than Hansen no one appears to have any serious credentials. Are you affiliated with any universities? Do you have the backing of any scientific institutions for this project? Other than a group of friends who have a knack for finding hard to find species that want to try their luck in Costa R...
by troy hibbitts
January 8th, 2014, 6:15 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: SSAR Standardized Names
Replies: 39
Views: 6894

Re: SSAR Standardized Names

There is no "law" that says that the names in any of these standardized lists MUST be followed. Correct, they are only imposed within publications of the joint societies. Jeff And even here, this only applies to the "Standardized Common Names" . . . I don't recall the precise ci...
by troy hibbitts
January 7th, 2014, 12:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: SSAR Standardized Names
Replies: 39
Views: 6894

Re: SSAR Standardized Names

I wonder what the rationale for this one was in the 7th edition.... :roll: Quote: E. l. longicauda (Green, 1818)—Ezstern Long-tailed Salamander The Committee decided against duplicate names for a species and any of its subspecies to clarify which taxon is involved when only the English name is used...
by troy hibbitts
January 7th, 2014, 12:30 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: SSAR Standardized Names
Replies: 39
Views: 6894

Re: SSAR Standardized Names

There is no "law" that says that the names in any of these standardized lists MUST be followed. In the 3 field guides I've written (or am in the process of writing . . . with various collaborators) - Texas Amphibians, Texas Lizards, and Texas Turtles and Crocodilians - we used the SSAR lis...
by troy hibbitts
December 5th, 2013, 10:13 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: If you were to go rediscover a Herp, which one would it be?
Replies: 43
Views: 18337

Re: If you were to go rediscover a Herp, which one would it

Close to home - Louisiana Pine Snakes at any locality in Texas outside of the current known extant (hopefully!) Texas populations in Angelina, Jasper, and Newton Counties (today, they are basically restricted to a single long sand ridge with managed longleaf pines running through these 3 counties - ...
by troy hibbitts
November 20th, 2013, 8:23 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Year end review in New Mexico and a little Utah thrown in
Replies: 6
Views: 4348

Re: Year end review in New Mexico and a little Utah thrown i

the marbled whiptail is a checkered A.tesselata
by troy hibbitts
November 19th, 2013, 11:48 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: East Texas and West Texas, Terlingua Report
Replies: 11
Views: 3580

Re: East Texas and West Texas, Terlingua Report

haha . . . no, Chris, you're not the only one not buying the C.ornatus vs C.molossus split . . . and I've read the publication. It just another one of these mitochondrial DNA-based splits (which can't assess gene flow between pops) and does not reflect the phenotypic appearence of western NM snakes ...
by troy hibbitts
November 19th, 2013, 10:10 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: "I Call Random" Post 11-17-13
Replies: 7
Views: 2323

Re: "I Call Random" Post 11-17-13

the last turtle (shell) is a Sternotherus - probably odoratus, but I can't say for sure from just the plastron.
by troy hibbitts
November 15th, 2013, 5:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread
Replies: 36
Views: 14047

Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

John . . . I did raise it up, it transformed, and then promptly died . . . so no pix of an adult from east Texas. I also have a S TX tiger photo around somewhere (slide) . . . but it looks like yours.

Troy
by troy hibbitts
November 13th, 2013, 12:18 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: fox or black rat?
Replies: 32
Views: 10606

Re: fox or black rat?

D3 (not UVB) is required by reptiles, birds, and mammals for proper calcium metabolism and bone health. Reptiles, birds, and mammals all synthesize D3 in their skins. Those that are nocturnal or that live near the poles must get their D3 from thier diets. It is true that most snakes get most of thei...
by troy hibbitts
November 13th, 2013, 11:19 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Help with 1 AZ snake ID please
Replies: 4
Views: 1598

Re: Help with 1 AZ snake ID please

nigriceps
by troy hibbitts
November 13th, 2013, 10:39 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread
Replies: 36
Views: 14047

Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Tiger, Powder River Co, MT (metamorph) http://www.thehibbitts.net/troy/photo/salamanders/a.mavortium.mt.powderriver.11.1.0787.jpg Tiger, Washington Co, UT http://www.thehibbitts.net/troy/photo/salamanders/a.tigrinum.ut.washington.06.1a.jpg Tiger, Cochise Co, AZ (metamorph) (scan from slide) http://w...
by troy hibbitts
November 13th, 2013, 10:21 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Checking traps in New Mexico
Replies: 5
Views: 4110

Re: Checking traps in New Mexico

"dragonfly" = White-belted Ringtail (Erpetogomphus compositus)
by troy hibbitts
November 13th, 2013, 9:30 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: fox or black rat?
Replies: 32
Views: 10606

Re: fox or black rat?

LTC and CB obsoleta typically have smaller and shorter heads than their wild-caught bretheren because head shape in obsoleta is phenotypically plastic. Wild snakes eat a diet of far larger rodents and birds than do captive snakes, and develop a large head. Captives raised from juveniles or hatchling...
by troy hibbitts
November 13th, 2013, 9:21 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2013 EOY Report - Texas/Mississippi (Huge DUW, 80+ photos)
Replies: 10
Views: 3102

Re: 2013 EOY Report - Texas/Mississippi (Huge DUW, 80+ photo

the toad you've labeled cognatus is woodhousei
by troy hibbitts
November 13th, 2013, 9:13 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Masters at A&M?
Replies: 23
Views: 3921

Re: Masters at A&M?

my brother (Toby Hibbitts) is also at TAMU and has some grad students and projects . . . he and Lee work together on projects. Both Toby and Lee do a lot of lizard research if you're interested in those sorts of projects.
by troy hibbitts
August 31st, 2011, 12:44 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Pacific NW trip - 7/28-8/13
Replies: 11
Views: 4495

Re: Pacific NW trip - 7/28-8/13

Erik - the dorsalis had apparently just dropped a litter Wolverton - most of those areas, particularly at elevation, were barely snow-free . . . most of the meadows were probably still a few weeks from decent wildflower blooms. I mistimed several of the planned night/dusk drives as well, or I expect...
by troy hibbitts
August 29th, 2011, 1:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Over what period of time have you herp hunted in AZ?
Replies: 27
Views: 4648

Re: Over what period of time have you herp hunted in AZ?

So, in what year did you first herp hunt in AZ? And in what year did you last herp hunt in AZ? 1985 (I was 15) 2011 (at 41) probably have never gone more than 2 years between trips where I've done some herping in AZ, although some (like this year) consisted of a few stops to take pix while passing ...
by troy hibbitts
August 29th, 2011, 1:17 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico - August 2011
Replies: 24
Views: 7527

Re: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico - August 2011

yes, your "Golden Eagle" is definitely a Harris' Hawk

compare your shot
Image

to one from SoTX
Image


Troy Hibbitts
Brackettville, TX
by troy hibbitts
August 23rd, 2011, 10:01 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Flashlight
Replies: 26
Views: 6513

Re: Flashlight

I have an older Fenix TK12 . . . 225 lumens at full output . . . nice to have when walking road cuts or herping at night in the field. I use the 90 lumens setting for around-the-camp usage.
by troy hibbitts
August 23rd, 2011, 6:53 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Rio Grande Chirping Frogs
Replies: 8
Views: 2429

Re: Rio Grande Chirping Frogs

limestone rock fissures hold lots of moisture . . . one of my Dad's neighbors has a self-made earth sheltered house. He thought "this area is really dry, I don't need to seal the rock face" LOL . . . the humidity levels in his house were so high that he basically couldn't (until he sealed ...
by troy hibbitts
August 22nd, 2011, 8:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Photo Request, Herps eating roadkill
Replies: 17
Views: 5576

Re: Photo Request, Herps eating roadkill

along the lines of Matthis' post . . . 2 male bullsnakes, 1 DOR female http://www.thehibbitts.net/troy/photo/snakes/p.catenifer.ks.russell.00.insitu.jpg I've seen: coachwhip grab a DOR pocket mouse several atrox feeding on DOR kangaroo rats/pocket mice (although they could have been envenomated inst...
by troy hibbitts
August 21st, 2011, 10:09 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mexican Standoff between Midland Watersnake and Bullfrog
Replies: 7
Views: 1312

Re: Mexican Standoff between Midland Watersnake and Bullfrog

this encounter was undoubtedly fatal for the bullfrog, whether or not the snake actually ate the frog or not. I once found an adult Hyla squirrela with a neonate Thamnophis proximus with a leg in its mouth. I didn't see the ribbonsnake when I grabbed the treefrog, and the ribbon released the frog's ...
by troy hibbitts
August 20th, 2011, 10:52 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Big Bend region of TX.
Replies: 9
Views: 1715

Re: Big Bend region of TX.

the horned lizard is Phrynosoma platyrhinos which does not occur in Texas . . . the geckos are both Coleonyx brevis

Troy Hibbitts
Brackettville, TX
by troy hibbitts
August 20th, 2011, 7:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Pacific NW trip - 7/28-8/13
Replies: 11
Views: 4495

Re: Pacific NW trip - 7/28-8/13

those pretiosas are beautiful, what kind of habitat were they found in? Three were west of the Cascades crest in moist forest - two were found in a small rainwater filled pool near a lake in evergreen forest, one was in a nearby stream at the outflow of a lake . . . and the fourth was found east of...
by troy hibbitts
August 19th, 2011, 1:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Pacific NW trip - 7/28-8/13
Replies: 11
Views: 4495

Pacific NW trip - 7/28-8/13

the family I recently escaped the Texas heat by travelling to the Pacific Northwest. Our route was through NM, AZ, UT, NV, to Oregon, Washington, then back through the ID panhandle, across MT, south through WY, CO, and NM. This was a sight-seeing trip, with several days of Odonate chasing and herpin...
by troy hibbitts
July 21st, 2011, 3:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Texas native venomous collection regulations???
Replies: 6
Views: 1497

Re: Texas native venomous collection regulations???

to collect ANYTHING from the wild, you need a Hunting License per Legislation passed this spring, you also need a "Herp Stamp" endorsement on your license - which is not currently available (should be available in September) IF you aren't selling, you may possess up to 10 of a single speci...
by troy hibbitts
May 12th, 2011, 11:16 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Busy Water Snakes and some others
Replies: 8
Views: 2109

Re: Busy Water Snakes and some others

I always wonder how those Nerodia get past the locked pectoral spines on a bullhead, without getting pierced, that is (an occurrence which, I can personally attest, is quite painful!). They must have some kind of system, since catfish are a staple in their diet. Nice shots! when I worked on Dixon's...
by troy hibbitts
April 29th, 2011, 4:20 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lyme Disease and herping questions (feedback wanted)
Replies: 56
Views: 11002

Re: Lyme Disease and herping questions (feedback wanted)

I herp in Lyme Disease areas and don't worry much about it. I get so inflamed from tick bites that they DO NOT go unnoticed long enough for them to spread Lyme's. I also don't know of anyone that goes into the field regularly (and that's most folks I know well) who has gotten Lymes. Troy Hibbitts Br...
by troy hibbitts
April 29th, 2011, 11:53 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Show your pics of some of your rarest finds!
Replies: 124
Views: 33093

Re: Show your pics of some of your rarest finds!

I wouldn't call these particularly "rare" - New Mexico Milk Snake ( Lampropeltis triangulum celaenops ) - most alterna-hunters call them "the consolation prize" http://www.thehibbitts.net/troy/photo/snakes/l.triangulum.tx.terrell.07.1a.jpg http://www.thehibbitts.net/troy/photo/sn...
by troy hibbitts
April 27th, 2011, 4:59 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Ouachita Mountains
Replies: 8
Views: 2146

Re: Ouachita Mountains

Interesting group of animals for sure. Very interesting that the fourch mt salamanders are sympatric with glutinosis. Did you find any glutinosis in the same places as the caddo mt. salamander or the rich mtn salamander? -Corey I've found albagula (glutinosus-complex) salamanders sympatric with oua...
by troy hibbitts
April 27th, 2011, 1:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: March/April, West Central FL through the Big Bend.
Replies: 21
Views: 4739

Re: March/April, West Central FL through the Big Bend.

I'm still quite the novice on turtle ID's, so if anybody would like to chime in on these 3, I would appreciate it. http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l33/fljeep74/turtlebig.jpg As we pulled up there were two.... http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l33/fljeep74/turtles.jpg ..and then... there weren't t...
by troy hibbitts
April 25th, 2011, 10:36 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A few pix from this spring
Replies: 5
Views: 2696

A few pix from this spring

herping has been quite slow in Texas (and neighboring Louisiana) this spring due to extended drought conditions, but a few nice things have been found presenting photo opportunities - due to the extended nature of this photo summary, I'll be a bit light on the commentary and longer with the photos: ...
by troy hibbitts
March 2nd, 2011, 6:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: FHF POLL on HB 1788 and Herp Stamp Usage in TEXAS
Replies: 28
Views: 10052

Re: FHF POLL on HB 1788 and Herp Stamp Usage in TEXAS

Not only should you vote here, you should broadcast that this poll is up and running and encourage everyone you know to put in their votes as well. As it stands right now, it only looks like there are a few of us (with less than 100 voting). We need a bigger data set! I've been promoting the idea of...
by troy hibbitts
September 19th, 2010, 7:44 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: roadkill of a different sort
Replies: 15
Views: 2363

Re: roadkill of a different sort

What's the problem? Have they issued any roadcruising tickets? On a serious note: About 16 years ago, I took Mom's Corolla out for a roadcruise. On the way home, I saw a large frog jump and then heard a solid sound. I knew what had transpired, but chose to ignore it. The next morning, Mom wasn't in...
by troy hibbitts
September 18th, 2010, 6:47 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: roadkill of a different sort
Replies: 15
Views: 2363

roadkill of a different sort

2 weeks ago, I borrowed my wife's car to make a quick run to the LRGV . . . on the way back there were quite a few frogs out and about . . . anyway, the next day, my wife went out to wash the car and found this: http://thehibbitts.net/troy/misc.herps/r.berlandieri.tx.mincooper.10.1b.jpg Just wonderi...
by troy hibbitts
September 15th, 2010, 12:17 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Florida Panhandle June 2010
Replies: 18
Views: 5121

Re: Florida Panhandle June 2010

the "stinkpot" is an Eastern Mud (Kinosternon subrubrum)
by troy hibbitts
August 19th, 2010, 8:30 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snake ID from some folks out west
Replies: 9
Views: 1778

Re: Snake ID from some folks out west

despite range maps showing "red-sideds" in eastern OK, all I've seen along the Arkansas border (mostly LeFlore & McCurtain Cos) would best be described as "easterns" - in other words, none had any red in the areas normally associated with "red-sided" garters
by troy hibbitts
July 29th, 2010, 12:51 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: What Non-Herp Animals Do You See While Herping?
Replies: 44
Views: 12904

Re: What Non-Herp Animals Do You See While Herping?

KUJordan wrote:
Tim Borski wrote:This guy lit my fingers up one night while solo...

Image

It must just be that time of the day, but what the hell is that? I can't even tell and I've been looking at this photo for about 2 minutes!
stuffed animal?
by troy hibbitts
July 29th, 2010, 12:43 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: anyone got pictures of cougars while herping?
Replies: 29
Views: 6656

Re: anyone got pictures of cougars while herping?

I've seen 3 while herping, and 2 while hiking . . . all in the late 80s and early 90s Spring Break, like 87 or so, Big Bend NP saw 2 cougars sitting on a boulder about 200 yards off one of the main trails up in the basin. One was radio collared . . . I think Dad has some photos While herping, I've s...
by troy hibbitts
July 26th, 2010, 7:04 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: hybrid toad?
Replies: 1
Views: 939

Re: hybrid toad?

doesn't look like a hybrid to me . . . there is some variation in how well developed cranial crests are, especially on smaller toads . . . that one looks smallish - as they mature, the crests become more well developed.

Troy
by troy hibbitts
July 22nd, 2010, 2:02 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Witchelina, South Australia
Replies: 12
Views: 5065

Re: Herping Witchelina, South Australia

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h210/snake_freak/Herps/Witchelina07-2010233.jpg Love the above image, composure, focus and placemnt of the animal in the scenery are great. I did take the liberty of playing with it a bit in photoshop, just to show what could be done with it. http://thehibbitts.net...
by troy hibbitts
July 22nd, 2010, 10:49 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Namibia Trip, June 2010 (with a stop in Germany)
Replies: 13
Views: 6419

Re: Namibia Trip, June 2010 (with a stop in Germany)

how does elephant taste? I like most game animals I've tried stateside (deer, elk, bison, gator). but I've never tried anything exotic. And game birds are just nasty. Uuuk. Never had elephant . . . all the rest of the game stuff is great. Game birds taste pretty good, so long as you don't cook them...
by troy hibbitts
July 21st, 2010, 7:05 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Namibia Trip, June 2010 (with a stop in Germany)
Replies: 13
Views: 6419

Re: Namibia Trip, June 2010 (with a stop in Germany)

Says on your blog: "This was quite simply one of the best hunting experience of our lives. In addition to fine trophies that we shot..." What do they do with the meat there? Sell it at the market? Freeze it? Divvy it up among the askaris :D? depends on the location where the hunting takes...
by troy hibbitts
July 20th, 2010, 6:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Best looking Thamnophis elegans
Replies: 34
Views: 16606

Re: Best looking Thamnophis elegans

SW NM http://www.thehibbitts.net/troy/photo/snakes/t.elegans.nm.grant.09.1a.jpg NC NM http://www.thehibbitts.net/troy/photo/snakes/t.elegans.nm.sandoval.09.2a.jpg E NM http://www.thehibbitts.net/troy/photo/snakes/t.elegans.nm.torrance.97.2.jpg one of my favorite elegans pix is this one though http:/...