Search found 427 matches

by MCHerper
December 9th, 2015, 5:45 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Where do snakes winter if there isn't a rocky den place?
Replies: 35
Views: 17210

Re: Where do snakes winter if there isn't a rocky den place?

Agree with Dave and Hadar. Snakes will overwinter just about anywhere there is access below the frost line or protection from frost. Rodent burrows, rotting stumps, rock piles, building foundations, your basement, all are fair game. I do know that I've found garter snakes partially submerged in what...
by MCHerper
December 8th, 2015, 10:10 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 9 Copperhead Day and more from 2015
Replies: 3
Views: 2244

Re: 9 Copperhead Day and more from 2015

Copperheads will always be one of my favorites! Awesome work!
by MCHerper
December 7th, 2015, 8:16 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2015 year in review
Replies: 13
Views: 10395

Re: 2015 year in review

Awesome!!
by MCHerper
November 8th, 2015, 2:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2015 in the New York State (same as main forum)
Replies: 7
Views: 3613

Re: 2015 in the New York State (same as main forum)

I'm often blown away by the talent on this forum but your pictures are on a whole other level. Amazing pictures! I love the non-herp photos as well (Long Island in the fall, etc). It takes skill to capture the beauty of nature but it really takes something rare and special to get photographs that re...
by MCHerper
November 7th, 2015, 6:18 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Highlights of 2015
Replies: 6
Views: 3209

Re: Highlights of 2015

It's not a banner year without Fowler's toads. Also, who was the knucklehead sticking his fingers into the pic with the king snake? What a dingus.
by MCHerper
October 7th, 2015, 10:26 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: How About a Little Trip Down Snake Road?
Replies: 7
Views: 7318

Re: How Abpout a Little Trip Down Snake Road?

Awesome trip! I'd like to add a trip to snake road on my bucket list, you've inspired me!
by MCHerper
September 30th, 2015, 6:47 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ID Black Snake from Lebanon
Replies: 33
Views: 12371

Re: ID Black Snake from Lebanon

See, this is why I was hoping, like always when I see sketchy stuff, that SOMEBODY ELSE would maybe say a little something, because you see, the reason for the antics is to SHOW it. So, if the general platform reflects a lack of appreciation for such actions then there's no reason to do it. Because...
by MCHerper
September 30th, 2015, 1:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ID Black Snake from Lebanon
Replies: 33
Views: 12371

Re: ID Black Snake from Lebanon

I'm optimistic, and confident, that you will find a far and away greater than average support for the well-being of snakes from members of this forum, given the time and the opportunity. I'm willing to take the leap of faith that Brendan is one as well.
by MCHerper
September 30th, 2015, 10:21 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ID Black Snake from Lebanon
Replies: 33
Views: 12371

Re: ID Black Snake from Lebanon

Okay, I'm going to say what I believe that Kelly has been trying to say with what I feel to be the support, patience, and dignity that we should be showing our fellow forum members. Hopefully examples like this will help with continuing to establish some positively skewed norms in our communication ...
by MCHerper
September 29th, 2015, 7:11 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ID Black Snake from Lebanon
Replies: 33
Views: 12371

Re: ID Black Snake from Lebanon

I thought that Kelly was referring to the fact that the snake looks like it had been macheted about 1/3rd to 1/4 of the way up the back.
by MCHerper
September 28th, 2015, 5:39 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Garters, northern water snakes, September, So New England
Replies: 9
Views: 3078

Re: Garters, northern water snakes, September, So New Englan

Apparently, lots of rain will drop down around Monday and Tuesday (if the Radar and forecast is correct). All is not lost :mrgreen: So far the only boards that have had snakes underneath in my area are ones a few dozen meters from a water source. - Justin I just saw that this morning (about the rai...
by MCHerper
September 27th, 2015, 5:16 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Garters, northern water snakes, September, So New England
Replies: 9
Views: 3078

Re: Garters, northern water snakes, September, So New Englan

Funny that you say that, Incuhead. I have a pretty good sized board line that hasn't been touched for about 1.5 months (because it is so dry). This morning I debated that this afternoon I would go out and give them a check, but when the afternoon came, I decided to go to the gym instead. It's just n...
by MCHerper
September 26th, 2015, 11:35 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Aussie elapids
Replies: 11
Views: 14085

Re: Aussie elapids

Pick me up at the airport? :D
by MCHerper
September 24th, 2015, 5:24 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Garters, northern water snakes, September, So New England
Replies: 9
Views: 3078

Re: Garters, northern water snakes, September, So New Englan

If the area that you are in still has water in it, and has anurans, I would think that you still may find garters on the move around 11 am until the afternoon. If you can poke around a few hours earlier, maybe it'll be worth it. I'm sure the dryness has still affected things at least a bit. I know t...
by MCHerper
September 23rd, 2015, 7:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Garters, northern water snakes, September, So New England
Replies: 9
Views: 3078

Re: Garters, northern water snakes, September, So New Englan

Hi Ebit, Here is what I know for sure complemented by some inferences based on my experience and observations :D : Foremost, there are several shifts in a garter snake's behavior over its period of activity. I find them most often in spring near creeks and streams, hunting for anurans. They seem to ...
by MCHerper
September 17th, 2015, 8:22 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Sydney Snakes!
Replies: 31
Views: 15546

Re: Sydney Snakes!

Wow!! Unbelievable Jake!! Incredible shots of some absolutely beautiful snakes. You are very talented and fortunate to live where you can see such amazing creatures. Keep up the good work!

MC
by MCHerper
September 15th, 2015, 8:42 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Who on the forum would you most like to meet in person...
Replies: 44
Views: 65222

Re: Who on the forum would you most like to meet in person..

I'd like to meet the Kirbys.

I'd also like to meet gbin, just to see what he looks like.

Truth be told I'd be happy to meet most of the people on the forum.
by MCHerper
September 3rd, 2015, 11:36 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ANF let me in on it's secret.
Replies: 9
Views: 6930

Re: ANF let me in on it's secret.

justinm wrote:I'm kind of shocked you didn't throw it on the road and run it over. Isn't that what you do with most of the other snakes you find?
?
by MCHerper
August 23rd, 2015, 12:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Below the Mason Dixon
Replies: 13
Views: 4787

Re: Below the Mason Dixon

Every one of your photographs is stunning! Amazing photographs of amazing finds! Keep up the good work!
by MCHerper
August 16th, 2015, 12:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Quick Trip to MD/DE
Replies: 6
Views: 1894

Re: Quick Trip to MD/DE

Good stuff! I like that you don't only include herps, and that you have an appreciation for other things as well.
by MCHerper
July 23rd, 2015, 12:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Tree Frog ID
Replies: 7
Views: 3146

Re: Tree Frog ID

Does the call sound like you are slowly running your fingernail up a comb (with an emphasis on the clicking sound)?
by MCHerper
July 22nd, 2015, 2:53 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Tree Frog ID
Replies: 7
Views: 3146

Re: Tree Frog ID

If they are Pseduacris regilla, they are the frogs with the classic 'ribbit' call. Interesting that they are here and breeding.
by MCHerper
June 25th, 2015, 2:34 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'

Yes anything is possible. But the bajillions of **** jobs that are received by "ordinary guys" by such females without those incidents merit some unsheltered common sense. Oh I wasn't talking about prostitutes. I was talking about the general risk of having a violent crime committed again...
by MCHerper
June 25th, 2015, 2:05 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'

Awesome journey into the tangled paths !.. Yeah I know what a shank is. The point being that unfortunate women who are wandering in the night are the ones who get stabbed by an obliteratingly overwhelming statistic. Not the other way around. I would never assume that a woman who approached me and g...
by MCHerper
June 17th, 2015, 5:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: New to the forum
Replies: 10
Views: 4476

Re: New to the forum

Welcome!
by MCHerper
June 17th, 2015, 5:31 am
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'

I'd refrain on turning my back on someone who was getting weird like that. A lot of times people will say or do things to shake someone up before robbing them (or worse) to occupy their thinking. Criminals aren't stupid and test you to see what shakes you up. Be careful.
by MCHerper
June 12th, 2015, 6:46 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Bitten - A Gallery of Horrors
Replies: 28
Views: 10372

Re: Bitten - A Gallery of Horrors

From what I learned in an undergrad toxicology course plus what I've come to learn over the years when referring back to LD50 for MSDS sheets, chemical safety, etc: LD50 is a somewhat reliable indicator of overall toxicity, based on a dose-response relationship between the xenobiotic and the subject...
by MCHerper
June 11th, 2015, 10:46 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Information Request
Replies: 0
Views: 1494

Information Request

Hi Folks, Another thread on here raised some questions for me, but I didn't want to hijack that thread with these questions. I was hoping that someone could help to provide documents or information on the general venom profile(s) of any or all of the Xenodontidae in the U.S., or specifically those i...
by MCHerper
June 11th, 2015, 5:10 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Bitten - A Gallery of Horrors
Replies: 28
Views: 10372

Re: Bitten - A Gallery of Horrors

I have always understood that the cottonmouth is "more venomous" than the copperhead, however based on the post above by Antonsrkn it appears that it must have more to do with venom yield than potency.
by MCHerper
June 10th, 2015, 11:26 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Bitten - A Gallery of Horrors
Replies: 28
Views: 10372

Re: Bitten - A Gallery of Horrors

Thanks Antonsrkn!
by MCHerper
June 10th, 2015, 5:57 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Bitten - A Gallery of Horrors
Replies: 28
Views: 10372

Re: Bitten - A Gallery of Horrors

I looked again at the gallery, can anyone tell me more about the hognose bite? I thought that their venom was specific to toads and that they posed no threat to humans? Looks like a pretty bad bite in the picture.
by MCHerper
June 8th, 2015, 5:05 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: May 2015 Species Counts
Replies: 8
Views: 4105

Re: May 2015 Species Counts

Andrea, I am glad that I'm not the only one who waited until the end!! May 2nd, Mercer County, NJ. 1 spring peeper (voc) 1 N. gray treefrog (voc) 13 bullfrogs 9 green frogs 19 painted turtles 3 red-eared sliders 1 E. garter snake 1 N. water snake (eating a catfish!) May 3rd, Mercer County, NJ (diffe...
by MCHerper
June 8th, 2015, 3:51 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: can't wait to get out today!
Replies: 6
Views: 2190

Re: can't wait to get out today!

Nice! Good to see you got your target plus some bonuses. Regarding the snapping turtle, I know of no way to tell whether she is coming or going.
by MCHerper
June 8th, 2015, 11:01 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Most Common Herp in Your Area
Replies: 16
Views: 6070

Re: The Most Common Herp in Your Area

Here in Central NJ, our most commonly seen herps: Snakes: Eastern garter (N. water snakes come in second) Turtles: Painted Salamanders: Red-backed Frogs: Green frog (Fowler's toads also common) In the NJ Pine Barrens, the most common herps (at least those commonly seen) are probably fence lizards an...
by MCHerper
June 8th, 2015, 6:10 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: can't wait to get out today!
Replies: 6
Views: 2190

Re: can't wait to get out today!

Results?
by MCHerper
June 8th, 2015, 6:08 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Bitten - A Gallery of Horrors
Replies: 28
Views: 10372

Re: Bitten - A Gallery of Horrors

So if you need to get envenomated, elapids are the way to go...
by MCHerper
June 6th, 2015, 11:01 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Some snakes from KwaZulu-Natal, SOUTH AFRICA
Replies: 14
Views: 7133

Re: Some snakes from KwaZulu-Natal, SOUTH AFRICA

Nick, I absolutely love the pictures! The spotted bush snake is beautiful, and that photograph of a spitter should be on someone's wall (I'll volunteer mine!). Also, I think that what you are doing is terrific. You've got your boots on the ground, and are educating people on the benefits of snakes, ...
by MCHerper
June 2nd, 2015, 6:08 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mojave and beyond (pic heavy)
Replies: 5
Views: 3876

Re: Mojave and beyond (pic heavy)

Awesome finds and great pictures!
by MCHerper
June 2nd, 2015, 5:55 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: IL town removing snakes
Replies: 14
Views: 6233

Re: IL town removing snakes

Here's one that made my blood boil a little... http://www.ksdk.com/story/news/local/illinois/2015/05/31/illinois-park-snake-concern/28247907/ Nick March Perry County, MO It's nice to see the backlash in the comments though. Most, if not all, are in favor of educating people and leaving the snakes a...
by MCHerper
May 28th, 2015, 10:58 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Anybody recommend a good tick repellant?
Replies: 19
Views: 7475

Re: Anybody recommend a good tick repellant?

Kyle, Regarding the wildfires, our Pine Barrens here in NJ are a tinder box, and they are occasionally subject to both controlled and uncontrolled burns. Oddly, I haven't seen much difference in the density of ticks after a burn. The Pine Barrens are absolutely loaded with ticks, both before and aft...
by MCHerper
May 28th, 2015, 5:22 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Timing of AC Checks?
Replies: 10
Views: 3497

Re: Timing of AC Checks?

Thanks Andrea and Kyle!
by MCHerper
May 28th, 2015, 5:18 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Anybody recommend a good tick repellant?
Replies: 19
Views: 7475

Re: Anybody recommend a good tick repellant?

Hi Kyle, In the Northeast, avoiding getting ticks on you is impossible, and if you are hitting fields or ecotones, you are going to be dealing with them by the dozen. Here's my best advice: As you noted, light colored clothes, including light-colored long sleeved t-shirt, shirt tucked in pants, pant...
by MCHerper
May 27th, 2015, 11:00 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herp heroes
Replies: 39
Views: 19013

Re: Herp heroes

I just wanted to add something to a thread that is already full of good stuff; for those of you who have never read the book 'The Last Child in the Woods', it's definitely a recommended read, especially for parents, teachers, naturalists, and nature enthusiasts like us. http://www.amazon.com/Last-Ch...
by MCHerper
May 27th, 2015, 9:15 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herp heroes
Replies: 39
Views: 19013

Re: Herp heroes

It doesnt make sense to me that on one hand there would be concerns about parents getting upset that their kids are "being targeted by extremist agendas" yet on the other hand think they would, in this day and age of increased child safety awareness - allow their child to have an adult me...
by MCHerper
May 27th, 2015, 5:16 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herp heroes
Replies: 39
Views: 19013

Re: Herp heroes

The Project WILD that klawnskale mentioned looks like a great program and there are a ton of awesome programs out there, the bigger issue is connecting children (and adults) to these programs. Hadar: This can be easily resolved through the resources available on the ProjectWILD website. It has link...
by MCHerper
May 25th, 2015, 11:29 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herp heroes
Replies: 39
Views: 19013

Re: Herp heroes

Its sad to consider that there would be parents that could think that their child coming home with the drawings that they made of a frog, or the little scientific notepad they carried in the field that day with a big spirit of protectiveness for the natural world - the real world , could see it as ...
by MCHerper
May 24th, 2015, 1:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herp heroes
Replies: 39
Views: 19013

Re: Herp heroes

I agree with several of the criticisms already given, but I think it is important to support things like this when I consider the the alternative teaching children receive about nature and herps. One idea I had for NAFHA (or FHF, or both) was to develop lesson plans to freely distribute to K-12 bio...
by MCHerper
May 24th, 2015, 1:10 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herp heroes
Replies: 39
Views: 19013

Re: Herp heroes

Hey you know I was thinking too, that another way to go would be to make the kids the heroes, the Wetland Warriors. Kids respond well to empowerment and advocacy, sticking up for what's good and beautiful. Their little hearts are strong and simply shaped that way. That is absolutely true, but I bel...
by MCHerper
May 21st, 2015, 10:21 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lost in (carnivorous plant) Paradise
Replies: 9
Views: 3982

Re: Lost in (carnivorous plant) Paradise

Carl,

Awesome post! I didn't know that Venus' flytraps occurred in the Florida Panhandle, I thought that it was only North and South Carolina. I hope to make it to ANF one day to see these plants (and herps) in person. Thanks for sharing.

MC
by MCHerper
May 21st, 2015, 10:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herp heroes
Replies: 39
Views: 19013

Re: Herp heroes

Rhyme makes facts deeply memorable and repeatable, a classic way and all of us can think of many examples in our own mental repertoire where it holds fast. I agree wholeheartedly. Rhyme is tremendously powerful for learning, so much that I still remember some rhymes (and their English translations)...