Search found 791 matches

by Jeroen Speybroeck
October 4th, 2016, 1:45 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: fire fight
Replies: 8
Views: 4632

Re: fire fight

Yep, these are 3 sets of two males engaged in a wrestling match. It's a fairly rare sight at my spot, but under certain circumstances it does happen... Last Thursday, five of these fights were going on at my spot, as well as several more at other sites during the same night. If I recall correctly, i...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
October 3rd, 2016, 5:20 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: fire fight
Replies: 8
Views: 4632

fire fight

Autumn's here at last and finally I can post some news with some pictures that are worth looking at! ;) Long drought followed by some rain = maximum activity, even if conditions are not their 'better than best'. My previous count record of 240 (over 1.3km) was blown to pieces by a stunning 320...! H...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
September 26th, 2016, 12:12 am
Forum: Fish Forum
Topic: Aquatic animal ID
Replies: 20
Views: 58896

Re: Aquatic animal ID

Mola mola has a 'sharper' spine (upper surface). If that's indeed the dorsal surface we're looking at. Mammal may be a good bet...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
September 22nd, 2016, 9:54 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Moorish Wall Geckos in LA County
Replies: 17
Views: 8527

Re: Moorish Wall Geckos in LA County

Interesting... I wonder how they would outcompete alligator lizard, because you'd think they occupy fairly different niches...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
September 22nd, 2016, 1:06 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Kids books for snakes
Replies: 5
Views: 2829

Re: Kids books for snakes

Depends on the kid's age, but my son is 4 and loves this one.

https://www.amazon.com/Smithsonian-Hand ... amphibians
by Jeroen Speybroeck
September 18th, 2016, 11:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: When is habitat restoration for herps a good thing?
Replies: 42
Views: 28342

Re: When is habitat restoration for herps a good thing?

Sam Sweet wrote:I'm calling this one a success.
Outstanding! The cynical stuff in this thread should not trump so much that we'd forget that this is the type of stories it deserves!
by Jeroen Speybroeck
September 17th, 2016, 9:57 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Videos of salamanders eating in the rain
Replies: 9
Views: 4258

Re: Videos of salamanders eating in the rain

mfb wrote:Jeroen, very nice! Salamandra are high on my list of herps I'd love to see in the wild someday.
Counted about 250 last night. ;) :D
by Jeroen Speybroeck
September 16th, 2016, 2:00 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: herpetological parenting
Replies: 6
Views: 4343

Re: herpetological parenting

Great! You can obviously never force these things, but I sure hope my son keeps it up for years to come too...
Antonsrkn wrote:Definitely thought this thread was going to be about parental behaviors in herps.
That would be "herp parenting" ;) :crazyeyes:
by Jeroen Speybroeck
September 15th, 2016, 5:03 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: herpetological parenting
Replies: 6
Views: 4343

herpetological parenting

I'm going to annoy people who hate pics of kids now. Be warned. Before this summer, my son got of course already some essential species. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LFIs8WqD0Ls/Ucc971xoUnI/AAAAAAAAFOo/vOL2-wPQjvk/s800/IMG_6736.jpg fire salamander Salamandra salamandra & Bas (1yr) https://...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
September 15th, 2016, 3:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Videos of salamanders eating in the rain
Replies: 9
Views: 4258

Re: Videos of salamanders eating in the rain

Thanks for the explanation, Mike!

Because you asked, I'll throw in this lo-fi clip from a while ago. I think I just lack patience, skill, and all other characteristics of a succesfull filmmaker...

by Jeroen Speybroeck
September 14th, 2016, 9:09 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Videos of salamanders eating in the rain
Replies: 9
Views: 4258

Re: Videos of salamanders eating in the rain

Excellent! Do you have any tricks for getting them to act naturally when the lights come on?? That's a good one (although mine usually soon take off, after the freezin act)! Maybe weak light is the key...? We all tend to go for the better and the brighter headlamps, which are of course not very agre...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
September 12th, 2016, 1:38 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First 3/4 of 2016- part three, to Arizona and back
Replies: 12
Views: 7936

Re: First 3/4 of 2016- part three, to Arizona and back

Outstanding photography, as usual! What a rush!
by Jeroen Speybroeck
September 11th, 2016, 11:52 pm
Forum: Fish Forum
Topic: Aquatic animal ID
Replies: 20
Views: 58896

Re: Aquatic animal ID

Whale shark?
by Jeroen Speybroeck
September 11th, 2016, 1:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Singapore and Borneo Pictures
Replies: 7
Views: 4092

Re: Singapore and Borneo Pictures

Cool stuff! Viper should be Tropidolaemus subannulatus.
by Jeroen Speybroeck
September 9th, 2016, 2:54 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Moorish Wall Geckos in LA County
Replies: 17
Views: 8527

Re: Moorish Wall Geckos in LA County

As ever so often with alien species, they hang around at harmless numbers within a small range ('lag' phase) before they enter an exponential growth phase and become invasive. Yes, it is tough, as many may just as well maintain steady-state levels and/or crumble and disappear, but IF you can, it nev...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
September 8th, 2016, 7:08 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: An interesting article on the place of science in society
Replies: 68
Views: 42152

Re: An interesting article on the place of science in societ

VanAR wrote:the Australian Research Council is now requiring that all publications made with their funding be made available to the public, somehow.
Same here.
by Jeroen Speybroeck
September 6th, 2016, 2:40 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

I would love to herp Iran. Same here, especially after one of my dearest herping buddies came back with this report => http://www.herpsafari.nl/tripreports-outside-eu/2016-4-iran/ A country with one of the weirdest snakes & the prettiest salamanders in the world, 'nough said! Envy, envy, envy! ...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
September 6th, 2016, 9:04 am
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

Welcome here, Gabri, what took you so long? ;) :lol:

Very cool trip!!! And yet another stellar blue coral from Singapore; judging by posts on this forum, that place seems to be crawling with them ;-)
by Jeroen Speybroeck
September 6th, 2016, 12:36 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: An interesting article on the place of science in society
Replies: 68
Views: 42152

Re: An interesting article on the place of science in societ

I really shouldn't... Ernie, there's a place on Route 66 in California you may want to move in to. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2pyteGLaZsBLsunZ6d_ILJxe2Csh3WeQgGk5gpA1_bNAFiASrE_EZEqNMbleFTe6oYx2YGgobjN9XFTGq-jNSe09KJZ7N2VafGdKqVhgcNiWAOz9WFJeioq7b77B_ZD-eWWuueY4GbxCcWAeZZvb3gasDq4x9RCn_IuvYOv...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
September 5th, 2016, 12:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Moorish Wall Geckos in LA County
Replies: 17
Views: 8527

Re: Moorish Wall Geckos in LA County

Although there's a bunch of other Tarentola species, I'd guess that's a correct ID. Just like Turkish gecko, they are notorious historical hitch-hikers in the Mediterranean as well.
by Jeroen Speybroeck
September 4th, 2016, 10:43 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Peruvian Amazon, July-August 2016
Replies: 6
Views: 4667

Re: Peruvian Amazon, July-August 2016

Much enjoyed, thanks!!! Your first unnamed toad is Engystomops petersi (or a close relative). The second strikes me as another margaritifera complex member.
by Jeroen Speybroeck
September 4th, 2016, 1:00 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My finds from Europe
Replies: 2
Views: 1763

Re: My finds from Europe

Glad you got to find some herps under suboptimal conditions! Looks like a fairly large asp. I knew you would turn up a Natrix maura in the end. I wouldn't trust the ID of the water frogs, though. Both ridibundus and perezi are highly variable and similar. While both species may co-occur (even togeth...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 29th, 2016, 11:00 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Malaysia 2016 - Picture heavy
Replies: 9
Views: 5043

Re: Malaysia 2016 - Picture heavy

Two thoughts:
* The fact that 'southern' blue corals are more blue seems to hold.
* Travelling at about the same time of the year, we also failed to find the supposedly abundant fucatus, let alone venustus, on Langkawi. Dry, dry, dry.
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 29th, 2016, 8:41 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Malaysia 2016 - Picture heavy
Replies: 9
Views: 5043

Re: Malaysia 2016 - Picture heavy

Aaah... this takes me back to last year... Good stuff! If you are interested in naming the frogs and lizards, my report from last year might help, but I'll list them here too. http://www.hylawerkgroep.be/jeroen/index.php?id=77 The report might help you name other stuff you saw but didn't show here, ...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 29th, 2016, 6:49 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Seeking Salamander ID-Great Smoky Mountains
Replies: 6
Views: 2783

Re: Seeking Salamander ID-Great Smoky Mountains

Certainly no expert, but here it goes... 6 might be a black-bellied 8 is probably Plethodon cylindraceus. 9 maybe too, but I'm not sure about the spots (is it spotted, or am I using reflection of water drops only...?) and the head shape kinda looks like a grey-cheeked. 10 is a seal perhaps, while 7 ...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 25th, 2016, 10:08 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: "New" California rattlesnakes
Replies: 15
Views: 9690

Re: "New" California rattlesnakes

Spending time to discuss if Hoser's ravings hold any truth is taking him too seriously. Assuming that I would think to be able to have a say in what people may or may not discuss around here is taking me too seriously.
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 25th, 2016, 3:05 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: "New" California rattlesnakes
Replies: 15
Views: 9690

Re: "New" California rattlesnakes

.
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 25th, 2016, 2:26 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: "New" California rattlesnakes
Replies: 15
Views: 9690

Re: "New" California rattlesnakes

I prefer not to even give this man's name any repeat hits online. He's his own editor, publisher, and reviewer. I think the global consensus on his "publications" is to ignore them for ten years, and when necessary resurrect or describe taxa properly. That way his papers become officially...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 23rd, 2016, 2:48 am
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: new European field guide
Replies: 7
Views: 18705

Re: new European field guide

Another review :mrgreen: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FuXBEby-11CnKx0Sav4EH6dNaR8T_goj3h75_T6obw3JAypVCyZPK3to5ixvj0rE784HfFtXVRFoCXYXPUuPcCFRPZJ5kiPN65yK3UooiqP9OWgvjdHM1jJ_V4LPNZy3n-P1hPZYL17NjL-C5NwvlHGJj_D8GH4200Xk8Ndl7q7agHkfqpqOaRRrNzVHgP8RZARIWoAztAXoPHgYwMdfcnq7VjgKomjiwxrn-czk9AtFneyHx...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 23rd, 2016, 1:30 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Yosemite
Replies: 12
Views: 6915

Re: Herping Yosemite

LouB747 wrote:Here's a frame grab from the video. I sure thought it was a brown bear.
Fascinating...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 22nd, 2016, 11:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: "New" California rattlesnakes
Replies: 15
Views: 9690

Re: "New" California rattlesnakes

Please. Ignore. Hoser.
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 21st, 2016, 11:53 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Queensland trips overview [pic heavy]
Replies: 16
Views: 9712

Re: Queensland trips overview [pic heavy]

Wooow!!! Top-notch photography of a place that's in my top 3 of places to go, thanks a lot!
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 20th, 2016, 4:53 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Far North Queensland Introduction
Replies: 5
Views: 3479

Re: Far North Queensland Introduction

Morelia viridis as the first of a post, who could ask for more? Thanks!
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 20th, 2016, 1:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping Yosemite
Replies: 12
Views: 6915

Re: Herping Yosemite

LouB747 wrote:Saw 2 bears while we were there. Ones in the video at the end. Thought it was a brown bear. Didn't realize there are only black bears in the park.
Are there still brown bears in CA?
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 19th, 2016, 12:47 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: hunting a new European viper species
Replies: 7
Views: 3965

Re: hunting a new European viper species

I'm looking forward to them continuing on with some of the genetic with a few more markers do you know if that is their intention? Yes, but if they will & will be able to, is always wait-and-see. It seems not so much a matter of more markers, but rather getting a hand on nuclear data of the eas...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 18th, 2016, 10:05 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: hunting a new European viper species
Replies: 7
Views: 3965

Re: hunting a new European viper species

Thanks for your replies! It is probably best to follow that link I posted, as it seems to be an open source paper. Walser was long believed to represent an isolate of berus, as there's a natural and sizeable gap. While morphologically very similar to berus of the "Italian/Alpine" clade, th...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 18th, 2016, 12:44 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: hunting a new European viper species
Replies: 7
Views: 3965

hunting a new European viper species

Probably because my better half asked me to take it easy and not do any herping trips this year, I’ve been writing some less than positive stuff around here lately. Let me make it up to you by posting about my only (and very short) adventure of this year (excluding more local stuff and already 1000+...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 18th, 2016, 12:08 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why You Dont Collect
Replies: 279
Views: 1425268

Re: Why You Dont Collect

Not sure what you think you know about my research and its virtues, Ernie, but I'm scientist and as such evil by nature. However, I thank you for your reply. The felony theft charge was for refusing to give back to the owner a Pit bull that had come onto my property and killed some of my animal's, u...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 17th, 2016, 11:37 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: When is habitat restoration for herps a good thing?
Replies: 42
Views: 28342

Re: When is habitat restoration for herps a good thing?

This has been a very interesting thread! I just don't know how realistic it is to hope for long-term, hands-off solutions to a lot of conservation problems. In my part of the world, as we're at a point where trully natural areas do not exist & the entire country looks more or less like one big c...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 17th, 2016, 2:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why You Dont Collect
Replies: 279
Views: 1425268

Re: Why You Dont Collect

Jimi wrote:didn't mean to come off like a hard case
You didn't. No need to apologize for being more civil and polite than me. ;)
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 17th, 2016, 1:11 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why You Dont Collect
Replies: 279
Views: 1425268

Re: Why You Dont Collect

Removed the link, btw.
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 17th, 2016, 1:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why You Dont Collect
Replies: 279
Views: 1425268

Re: Why You Dont Collect

Actually, I spent a night in a Greek jail and was brought before a judge because of... looking for fire-bellied toads too close to the Turkish border (even though the same place was packed with bbq-ing people 6 hrs earlier). Luckily, Greek police live in the stone age, so my mug shot only exists som...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 17th, 2016, 12:26 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why You Dont Collect
Replies: 279
Views: 1425268

Re: Why You Dont Collect

Not on a witch hunt. Just curious about who's behind the name and what the animal related charge is about, but I now think I maybe should drop it and I apologize for what seems bad taste indeed. I may also lack insight in your (or any) legal system, indeed, which is why I probably would not consider...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 17th, 2016, 12:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why You Dont Collect
Replies: 279
Views: 1425268

Re: Why You Dont Collect

deleted
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 16th, 2016, 2:59 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NEW BOOK: Snakes of Mexico
Replies: 90
Views: 107111

Re: NEW BOOK: Snakes of Mexico

Brian Hubbs wrote:Well, that really just depends on if it was written by a Belgian or not...right? :lol:
Naturally! 8-)
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 16th, 2016, 7:01 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why You Dont Collect
Replies: 279
Views: 1425268

Re: Why You Dont Collect

Its a bummer I couldn't work in something about molecular phylogeny to make Jeroen happy. I'd rather hear you talk about what happened on 5/25/2015. :P For what it's worth, I've learned from what others have replied to your posts, so thanks for that. Guam is an interesting case to learn from, for s...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 16th, 2016, 5:17 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Craziest Border Patrol Story
Replies: 41
Views: 23369

Re: Craziest Border Patrol Story

It is so funny to me to see the shock on their face when they act like i am totally insane to come from indiana to Arizona to look for snakes. Imagine what you get if you're from Belgium. I still think that one guy that kept going on about waffles and his coin collection wasted our time to the exte...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 16th, 2016, 2:14 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: France
Replies: 4
Views: 2732

Re: France

You are much more likely to find Natrix maura and e.g. Malpolon monspessulanus in that area than the species you mentioned. Especially maura should be fairly easy in any type of not too fast flowing water. They are not too picky in terms of water quality and may feed on both fish and amphibians. Pro...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 15th, 2016, 11:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Trip to Thailand - The snakes
Replies: 6
Views: 3976

Re: Trip to Thailand - The snakes

Great! Really jealous of that emerald Gonyosoma...
by Jeroen Speybroeck
August 15th, 2016, 11:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NEW BOOK: Snakes of Mexico
Replies: 90
Views: 107111

Re: NEW BOOK: Snakes of Mexico

I'll add that the new book is gorgeous and offers a wealth of information. Trashing it just because of some taxonomic choices would be a mistake (even though it was written by a European :P).