Search found 574 matches

by Ribbit
December 10th, 2015, 11:33 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 2, Alice Springs to Yulara
Replies: 25
Views: 16527

Thorny Devil Dreaming: Part 2, Alice Springs to Yulara

Here's Part 2 of the write-up for my month of October 2015 herping in Australia. Part 1 is here . http://wildherps.com/images/misc/fhf/Australia2015/Red-Center-map.jpg Flew into Alice Springs, drove south and west to Yulara, then east, north, and west to Glen Helen, then back to Alice. This post (Pa...
by Ribbit
December 10th, 2015, 6:03 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Prelude and Part 1, Sydney area
Replies: 21
Views: 18963

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Prelude and Part 1, Sydney area

Thanks everyone! I'll try to get part 2 out in the next few days at most. Finding an echidna was probably my highlight of this part of the trip. It was about 10 feet off the trail making a lot of noise as it slowly crunched through the vegetation. I recognized it quickly due to its unmistakable spin...
by Ribbit
December 9th, 2015, 5:49 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ID for dragons in southern Eyre Peninsula, South Australia?
Replies: 19
Views: 17647

Re: ID for dragons in southern Eyre Peninsula, South Austral

I've posted part 1 of my trip report now, here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22861
by Ribbit
December 8th, 2015, 11:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming: Prelude and Part 1, Sydney area
Replies: 21
Views: 18963

Thorny Devil Dreaming: Prelude and Part 1, Sydney area

When I was a kid, I read through Archie Carr's "The Reptiles" (part of the LIFE Nature Library) repeatedly, and each time my eye would stop on page 27 to stare in awe at the photo of Moloch horridus and imagine that someday I would see one of these unbelievable creatures living wild in its...
by Ribbit
December 4th, 2015, 4:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ID for dragons in southern Eyre Peninsula, South Australia?
Replies: 19
Views: 17647

Re: ID for dragons in southern Eyre Peninsula, South Austral

I'll get to that trip report soon(-ish)! I've got a set of photos picked out and semi-organized. Now "all" I have to do is the actually writing.
by Ribbit
November 21st, 2015, 6:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ID for dragons in southern Eyre Peninsula, South Australia?
Replies: 19
Views: 17647

Re: ID for dragons in southern Eyre Peninsula, South Austral

Thanks for the reference, Dan!

John
by Ribbit
November 18th, 2015, 6:15 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ID for dragons in southern Eyre Peninsula, South Australia?
Replies: 19
Views: 17647

Re: ID for dragons in southern Eyre Peninsula, South Austral

Thanks again Dan! Two of the individuals are from Lincoln NP, right next to Port Lincoln. The other two are from nearby Kellidie Bay Conservation Reserve. So yes, they would definitely be the southern form of fionni. I'd say the existence of this southern form is the final piece of the puzzle. Wilso...
by Ribbit
November 17th, 2015, 9:21 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ID for dragons in southern Eyre Peninsula, South Australia?
Replies: 19
Views: 17647

Re: ID for dragons in southern Eyre Peninsula, South Austral

Thanks Dan! I really appreciate the detailed information. You are the first person who has responded (here or elsewhere) who has both personal experience with both species and explained clearly his reasoning. I was wondering about the row of enlarged scales that curve under the eye, but couldn't fin...
by Ribbit
November 15th, 2015, 5:51 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ID for dragons in southern Eyre Peninsula, South Australia?
Replies: 19
Views: 17647

Re: ID for dragons in southern Eyre Peninsula, South Austral

Agreed that the dichotomous keys are great, but they often require having the animal in hand. In this case the criterion that distinguishes the two candidate species fionni and pictus is leg and tail length relative to body length, which is not clearly recognizable from the photos. (Although if I ha...
by Ribbit
November 14th, 2015, 8:53 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ID for dragons in southern Eyre Peninsula, South Australia?
Replies: 19
Views: 17647

Re: ID for dragons in southern Eyre Peninsula, South Austral

I do have the latest Cogger and the latest Wilson & Swan. The problem is that they have only a couple of pictures of each of the two candidate species, and none of the photos look particularly like these; the texts mentions that there is a lot of variability in both species. The physical descrip...
by Ribbit
November 14th, 2015, 2:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ID for dragons in southern Eyre Peninsula, South Australia?
Replies: 19
Views: 17647

Re: ID for dragons in southern Eyre Peninsula, South Austral

I found a few more pictures that, while not exactly matching the patterns of the ones I saw, have pretty much convinced me that these are C. pictus. For example: http://www.ellura.info/Reptile/Dragon/DSC00437E-Painted-Dragon-Ctenophorus-pictus.html . I think the first three are probably females and ...
by Ribbit
November 14th, 2015, 2:30 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ID for dragons in southern Eyre Peninsula, South Australia?
Replies: 19
Views: 17647

Re: ID for dragons in southern Eyre Peninsula, South Austral

Thanks -- I am starting to lean that way too. I dug up a photo of a pictus female from an older book ("Australia's Reptiles" by Wilson & Knowles) that looks quite similar. Also, the heads of pictus seem rounder (less flattened) than the heads of fionni, and these little guys have round...
by Ribbit
November 13th, 2015, 4:53 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ID for dragons in southern Eyre Peninsula, South Australia?
Replies: 19
Views: 17647

ID for dragons in southern Eyre Peninsula, South Australia?

I spent the month of October herping in Australia. Eventually I'll get around to writing up an account of the month, but first I have to finish identifying the critters I found. Some lizards I saw in the south part of the Eyre Peninsula are currently blocking this goal, and I hoped someone here migh...
by Ribbit
October 10th, 2015, 9:56 pm
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report
Replies: 78
Views: 167306

Re: Herp Tracking Book Progress Report

Ordered! Can't wait to see the book...congrats, Fil! Two other options for anyone who doesn't want to go through Amazon, but doesn't have a local bookstore to go through: The book can be ordered through the venerable Portland independent, Powells, or directly from Stackpole Books. I just did the la...
by Ribbit
September 19th, 2015, 3:47 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Southeastern Arizona Trip... Lizards, desert tortoise
Replies: 3
Views: 2360

Re: Southeastern Arizona Trip... Lizards, desert tortoise

Great stuff! You got a lot of excellent photos of lizards that don't always want to sit still.

John
by Ribbit
June 18th, 2015, 7:01 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Aussie herps in habitat
Replies: 20
Views: 9792

Re: Aussie herps in habitat

These are all really great photos. Thanks for posting more of them!

John
by Ribbit
May 9th, 2015, 8:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Please help ID this backyard lizard
Replies: 2
Views: 2336

Re: Please help ID this backyard lizard

I second that -- a beautiful lizard! In case you haven't already found it, the website http://www.reptilesofaz.org is a great resource for your state.

John
by Ribbit
April 15th, 2015, 4:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herp trip to Rio Santiago Nature Resort, Honduras
Replies: 8
Views: 7028

Re: Herp trip to Rio Santiago Nature Resort, Honduras

I am pretty certain your Leptophis mexicanus is actually Leptodrymus pulcherrimus , a much cooler and seldom seen snake on this forum! On my bucket list! It looks like both species live in this area. How do you distinguish them? They look very similar in photos, and I didn't see any diagnostic to t...
by Ribbit
April 15th, 2015, 1:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping at Pico Bonito Lodge, Honduras
Replies: 5
Views: 3469

Re: Herping at Pico Bonito Lodge, Honduras

Nice! Did you ask Dr. Köhler about the unidentified frog?

John
by Ribbit
April 15th, 2015, 1:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping in Roatan Island, Honduras
Replies: 9
Views: 7729

Re: Herping in Roatan Island, Honduras

Lizard party! The color on that first Anolis allisoni is incredible. Those big male basilisks look soooo proud of themselves.

That ironshore reminds me of the limestone tsingy from Madagascar, though it's formed a very different way. Was it as sharp as it looks?

John
by Ribbit
April 15th, 2015, 1:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herp trip to Rio Santiago Nature Resort, Honduras
Replies: 8
Views: 7028

Re: Herp trip to Rio Santiago Nature Resort, Honduras

Looks like a beautiful place to stay and see some excellent herps. I wonder if the coral snake was planning to just hold on to the cat-eyed snake until it finally succumbed to the venom, and then release, regrip, and swallow?

John
by Ribbit
April 11th, 2015, 9:10 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Borneo Dispatches #82: Exploring Planet Kinabalu
Replies: 23
Views: 13114

Re: Borneo Dispatches #82: Exploring Planet Kinabalu

Yowza! Just mind-bogglingly great stuff. That flying gecko is just a marvel. And all those beautiful and cryptic phasmids, wow! Borneo creeps ever-higher on my list of places I just have to visit. And as always your stories are fantastically entertaining.

John
by Ribbit
April 1st, 2015, 5:22 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Man dies on the trail - be careful out there
Replies: 11
Views: 5430

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

Mike VanValen wrote:Jon, I commend you for sticking around and trying your best to help the situation.
Hear hear.
by Ribbit
February 26th, 2015, 8:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming, October 2015 (RFI)
Replies: 9
Views: 4158

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming, October 2015 (RFI)

I definitely want to hurry up and go, but I do have to wait until October. Darn!

John
by Ribbit
February 23rd, 2015, 6:15 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming, October 2015 (RFI)
Replies: 9
Views: 4158

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming, October 2015 (RFI)

Thanks orionmystery. I don't think it's the right time of year for frilled lizards, and I'm not currently planning to visit the northern part of Australia where they are found, but at least I have seen one of them before. I've struck out three times looking for the thorny devils. I have seen a coupl...
by Ribbit
February 21st, 2015, 4:11 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming, October 2015 (RFI)
Replies: 9
Views: 4158

Re: Thorny Devil Dreaming, October 2015 (RFI)

Thanks for the offer, John. I'll have to see how my plans work out, but if I do end up in the area it would definitely be nice to meet and go out on a hike somewhere with a local. Did you try any herping in the area this past October, or were the weather conditions just not good enough? I like cool ...
by Ribbit
February 20th, 2015, 5:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thorny Devil Dreaming, October 2015 (RFI)
Replies: 9
Views: 4158

Thorny Devil Dreaming, October 2015 (RFI)

I'm in the early stages of planning a month-long herping trip to Australia this coming October. My three top goals are: 1. Thorny Devil! 2. As many species as possible 3. As many lifers as possible At this point my plans are extremely flexible. I was hoping to get some advice from the Australia-know...
by Ribbit
February 17th, 2015, 8:51 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Tenerife report February 2015
Replies: 5
Views: 3107

Re: Tenerife report February 2015

Congratulations on your upcoming book release! I don't know that it will entice me to future European herping, the pickings in general being so slim, but I'll definitely get the book.

That Gallotia galloti is a fantastic lizard.

John
by Ribbit
February 10th, 2015, 7:21 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Frog ID from Costa Rica
Replies: 4
Views: 2246

Re: Frog ID from Costa Rica

Savage's big Costa Rica book has very detailed descriptions of these two species (and all others). Both of them say that the iris is gold above and brown below, so the bright red iris on this frog would seem to rule out both of those species. The only Eleutherodactylus (genus that has since been spl...
by Ribbit
February 9th, 2015, 4:36 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Possible Country Records for the US
Replies: 196
Views: 629525

Re: Possible Country Records for the US

It is an interesting dilemma -- if one is seen, it would be the first one in ages or ever, which seems like evidence that it's rare in CA. And if it's that rare in CA, then perhaps the welfare of each individual is important to the continued survival of the population. On the other hand, could it re...
by Ribbit
February 9th, 2015, 10:39 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Possible Country Records for the US
Replies: 196
Views: 629525

Re: Possible Country Records for the US

hellihooks wrote:it's listed as a Ca protected species... so... illegal to touch if and when someone finds one... :shock: So... hows that work? You find one... in situ only, as proof... lest you admit to breaking the law... :| jim
What's wrong with that?

John
by Ribbit
February 5th, 2015, 7:01 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Thailand/Cambodia January 2015
Replies: 18
Views: 6841

Re: Thailand/Cambodia January 2015

I don't care if they're common, Tokay Geckos are awesome. Lots of great stuff here! I particularly liked the swarm of bats.

John
by Ribbit
February 5th, 2015, 6:57 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: EOY Blue Iguanas, Pyros, and What a 6-ft Caiman is Afraid Of
Replies: 21
Views: 17524

Re: EOY Blue Iguanas, Pyros, and What a 6-ft Caiman is Afrai

Outstanding! Seeing a jaguar at all would be amazing, but with the caiman predation it's a once-in-many-lifetimes event. Such an enjoyable post.

John
by Ribbit
February 4th, 2015, 4:47 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Possible Country Records for the US
Replies: 196
Views: 629525

Re: Possible Country Records for the US

That is a great story, and I'm glad you brought it to our attention here. I wonder though, since nearly all details of the story obviously are extremely far from reality, why would it make any sense to believe that stripping off all of the fantastical elements leaves behind any credible sighting? Is...
by Ribbit
January 26th, 2015, 6:17 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2014 in review
Replies: 11
Views: 8578

Re: 2014 in review

Wow, what a year! Swimming in the Amazon was fun, if unintentional. I recommend it to everyone.

John
by Ribbit
January 23rd, 2015, 12:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Morocco - january 2015
Replies: 6
Views: 3454

Re: Morocco - january 2015

Such beautiful photographs! Next time you will see even more, and hopefully not have any more conversations with the local police.

John
by Ribbit
January 18th, 2015, 1:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Borneo Dispatches #69: Sibynophis! Hymenopus! Chalcosoma!
Replies: 16
Views: 7999

Re: Borneo Dispatches #69: Sibynophis! Hymenopus! Chalcosoma

A perfectly fine snake, but it can't hold a candle to those two insects. Great stuff! Someday I hope to explore the wilds of Borneo and find such fantastic creatures.

John
by Ribbit
January 17th, 2015, 6:17 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Short trip to Panama December 2014
Replies: 14
Views: 5201

Re: Short trip to Panama December 2014

Hans, see my first reply.

John
by Ribbit
January 14th, 2015, 8:23 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Short trip to Panama December 2014
Replies: 14
Views: 5201

Re: Short trip to Panama December 2014

I think Jason's right. The frog labeled Craugastor raniformis looks more like Leptodactylus bolivianus. Also, according to Köhler's Amphibians of Central America, the range of Craugastor raniformis does not reach as far west as the Canal Zone, and the range of L. bolivianus does.

John
by Ribbit
January 13th, 2015, 3:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Short trip to Panama December 2014
Replies: 14
Views: 5201

Re: Short trip to Panama December 2014

A. limifrons ranges throughout all of Panama (according to Köhler's Reptiles of Central America). I was once in the Gamboa area, and they were the most common anole species I encountered. So that does seem very likely to be the correct ID.

John
by Ribbit
January 13th, 2015, 9:33 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Short trip to Panama December 2014
Replies: 14
Views: 5201

Re: Short trip to Panama December 2014

Agreed that the "A. biporcatus" is really a Polychrus. I guess I was so enamored of the photo that I wasn't thinking about the ID.

John
by Ribbit
January 13th, 2015, 7:47 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Short trip to Panama December 2014
Replies: 14
Views: 5201

Re: Short trip to Panama December 2014

I think the Silverstoneia from the Cerro Gaital area are S. nubicola ("Highland Rocket Frog") rather than S. flotator ("Lowland Rocket Frog").

John
by Ribbit
January 13th, 2015, 7:08 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Short trip to Panama December 2014
Replies: 14
Views: 5201

Re: Short trip to Panama December 2014

That's a wonderful assortment of animals! I think my favorite, despite its complete lack of herpitude, is the velvet worm. I'd love to see one of those in the wild. Second place would have to be Anolis biporcatus -- that photo of the first one is a stunner. Your "Giant leaf bug" is some ki...
by Ribbit
January 13th, 2015, 6:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Puerto Rico: Lizards (anoles and one ameiva)
Replies: 7
Views: 2911

Re: Puerto Rico: Lizards (anoles and one ameiva)

I love the photos and the captions. Great post!

John
by Ribbit
January 11th, 2015, 7:51 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Please ID Anole in Colombia
Replies: 3
Views: 1511

Re: Please ID Anole in Colombia

I second that. Beautiful anole!

John
by Ribbit
January 9th, 2015, 6:26 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Help with Gecko I.D
Replies: 5
Views: 2198

Re: Help with Gecko I.D

That's right. The body plan is also a little different than other FL-invasive geckos, and the head shape is a little different, but that yellowish underbelly with orangish under the tail is a giveaway.

John
by Ribbit
January 8th, 2015, 7:56 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Help with Gecko I.D
Replies: 5
Views: 2198

Re: Help with Gecko I.D

Agreed that it is Hemidactylus garnotii. The orange underside of the tail is one distinguishing feature.

John
by Ribbit
January 7th, 2015, 5:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Help with Gecko I.D
Replies: 5
Views: 2198

Re: Help with Gecko I.D

When I click the Play button on the video, the text "This video is private" appears. Seems like the privacy settings for the video on YouTube might be too strong for this kind of sharing?

John
by Ribbit
January 7th, 2015, 5:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Costa Rica field guide - Recommendations?
Replies: 15
Views: 5707

Re: Costa Rica field guide - Recommendations?

That Chacón and Johnston book that Gerry mentioned is a very handy field guide. It has a far more complete set of species accounts than the older Leenders book, and its taxonomy is much more modern. It is a very small book, with very little natural history information, but it has a decent range map,...
by Ribbit
December 19th, 2014, 10:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lizard head ....
Replies: 5
Views: 2575

Re: Lizard head ....

It looks so very sad. Sad, sad lizard head.

Pretty darn good for a "first attempt"! I look forward to future, happier lizard heads.

John