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 Post subject: Rattlesnake/Ground Squirrel Research - Part 2
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2009 3:32 pm 

Joined: Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:46 pm
Posts: 80
Hi all, here's the second installation of photos from this summer: (see http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=25132 for background info)

the drive into camp
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"tubing" a rattler
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anesthetizing
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view over abandoned walnut orchard
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setting up surveillance camera on a rattlesnake den
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a look inside
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camera in place
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sometimes we have to be more creative to get the perfect shot
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reviewing footage back at camp
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some more miscellaneous drift fence captures

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Pacific Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus amabilis)
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pair of racers (Coluber constrictor mormon)
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trying to look intimidating
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young Alameda Whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus)
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Skilton's Skink (Plestiodon skiltonianus skiltonianus)
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Pacific Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer catenifer)
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face-off
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bat with parasites (anyone know what kind?)
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California Ground Squirrel skull (Spermophilus beecheyi)
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fox got stuck after climbing into trashcan (jumped out a second after this was taken)
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friendly fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis)
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St. Helena Mountain Kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata zonata)
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Does anyone know if this species has been reported in Alameda County before? Peterson's range map is a little ambiguous:
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abandoned ground squirrel pup
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thanks for looking,

-Zach


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 Post subject: Re: Rattlesnake/Ground Squirrel Research - Part 2
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2009 3:52 pm 
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Joined: Thu Aug 18, 2005 10:42 pm
Posts: 609
Location: CA Bay Area
Zach, that's some good stuff once again. You're right about that zonata though... There have been rumors of them reaching Alameda county, but that is the first one I've actually heard of being found. Do you know how long some of us locals have been trying to find that first Alameda county Z!?? :doh: Great find! :bigthumb: I assume that was from one of the pit traps?

David


Last edited by eastbayherper on Wed May 27, 2009 3:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: Rattlesnake/Ground Squirrel Research - Part 2
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2009 3:54 pm 

Joined: Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:46 pm
Posts: 80
Thanks David - actually the zonata was not from one of the traps, it was found under a log by a nearby stream. Can anyone fill me in on the protocol for officially reporting this find?

-Zach


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 Post subject: Re: Rattlesnake/Ground Squirrel Research - Part 2
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2009 4:23 pm 
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Joined: Thu Aug 18, 2005 10:42 pm
Posts: 609
Location: CA Bay Area
I haven't yet found anything particularly notable of officially recording myself... but maybe someone who knows specifics will chime in. You could also try reaching the herpetology dept. at U of Cal, Berkeley, or the California Academy of Science in SF.


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 Post subject: Re: Rattlesnake/Ground Squirrel Research - Part 2
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2009 4:51 pm 
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Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2005 11:58 pm
Posts: 265
Zach,

They've been found in Ohlone before. Not many, but they have been found. The animal you found is actually part of an intergrade population that probably spans the length of the Diablo range (Mt. Diablo proper is the big place to find them.). It looks just like the animals found a bit farther south on Mt. Hamilton. Nice looking snake! I've been doing research on L. zonata here at UC Santa Cruz for quite some time now. I'd like to ask you a bit more about the animal in a PM. Once again, nice snake and congrats.

Mitch


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 Post subject: Re: Rattlesnake/Ground Squirrel Research - Part 2
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2009 4:52 pm 
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Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 2:27 am
Posts: 2160
Location: Redding, CA
z10silver wrote:
Thanks David - actually the zonata was not from one of the traps, it was found under a log by a nearby stream. Can anyone fill me in on the protocol for officially reporting this find?

-Zach


If you kept it, the scientific collection permit may allow you to donate it to the UCB vertebrate museum as a voucher (I assume it was inside the regional park, if outside the regional park, only a fishing license is necessary)

However - I would love to see it reported to the NAFHA database - http://www.naherp.com/ - which does NOT require the specimen be pickled.

-=-=-=-=-

Comment on the skink - if you aren't aware (and you might be), Gilbert's skinks also are in your area and can look extremely similar to western.

Here are some Gilbert's from Black Diamond Regional Park - which I think is not *that* far from you (a lot of the habitat shots are identical type of habitat):

http://www.naherp.com/viewrecord.php?r_id=22832
http://www.naherp.com/viewrecord.php?r_id=22833

I originally thought they were western, but they are Gilbert's Skink.

The easiest way to distinguish the two is from the striping on the tail - which can't be seen in your photo:

From - http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/ ... losus.html

http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/ ... ipe604.jpg

The side stripe stop abruptly right after the hind legs.

From - http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/ ... ianus.html

http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/ ... is3062.jpg

The side stripe extends down the tail past the legs.

Both species occur in your area.
Only mentioning it because I had to correct my ID of the Black Diamond skinks I found in March. I grew up in the Bay Area, it was rather embarrassing for me to have messed up a bay area ID ;)


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 Post subject: Re: Rattlesnake/Ground Squirrel Research - Part 2
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2009 5:13 pm 

Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2005 6:46 pm
Posts: 552
Nice finds and great post. You should be able to make a photo voucher for the zonata at the MVZ or Cal Acad. Very nice find.


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 Post subject: Re: Rattlesnake/Ground Squirrel Research - Part 2
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2009 5:40 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jul 06, 2006 4:10 pm
Posts: 145
Location: Jax, FL.
Neat post. Those "parasites" look like to be bed bugs.


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 Post subject: Re: Rattlesnake/Ground Squirrel Research - Part 2
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2009 6:10 pm 

Joined: Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:46 pm
Posts: 80
thanks for the info on the Gilbert's skinks - unfortunately as this is the only photo I have of this individual I don't believe we can say for certain as to whether its a Gilbert's or Skilton's.

-Zach


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 Post subject: Re: Rattlesnake/Ground Squirrel Research - Part 2
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2009 7:26 pm 
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Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2008 7:53 pm
Posts: 462
Location: Newport Beach,Ca.
Another great post...


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 Post subject: Re: Rattlesnake/Ground Squirrel Research - Part 2
PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2009 7:31 pm 

Joined: Mon May 08, 2006 5:19 pm
Posts: 194
Location: central K
The parasites are bat bugs (Cimicidae), close relatives of the bed bug. Very common parasites of bats. I've seen many, but never lined up on the arm like that. Very cool.


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 Post subject: Re: Rattlesnake/Ground Squirrel Research - Part 2
PostPosted: Thu May 28, 2009 5:07 am 
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Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2007 5:01 pm
Posts: 644
Location: Kansas
I'm sorry, but at some point parasites have to make the transition to predator. If I had a mosquito that was that large in relation to my body, I'd poop myself!


Sleep tight,
Don't let the bat bugs bite.

DAN


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 Post subject: Re: Rattlesnake/Ground Squirrel Research - Part 2
PostPosted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:47 pm 
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Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 10:02 pm
Posts: 3448
Location: AZ
Looks like someone might need to read my book... :shock:

Here's the species map for zonata from the book:
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and the cover:
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Heh heh...


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 Post subject: Re: Rattlesnake/Ground Squirrel Research - Part 2
PostPosted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 5:20 am 
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Joined: Sun Jul 30, 2006 11:02 am
Posts: 934
Location: Chicago (LaGrange), Illinois
Thanks for posting these. Great find on the zonata, a beautiful snake as were all the others shown here. You must be taunting Hubbs with that Peterson guide and locations on the zonata...it was like dangling a juicy nightcrawler in front of a large hungry bass. As I read your interesting post, I said to myself..."how long before Hubbs takes the bait?" :lol: :clap: Great posts. Peter B.


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 Post subject: Re: Rattlesnake/Ground Squirrel Research - Part 2
PostPosted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 5:52 am 

Joined: Thu May 25, 2006 7:49 am
Posts: 520
Location: Southwest Ontario, Canada
very cool. I'm surprised the bat doesnt just eat the Cimex sp.

Russ


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 Post subject: Re: Rattlesnake/Ground Squirrel Research - Part 2
PostPosted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:57 am 
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Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 10:02 pm
Posts: 3448
Location: AZ
I was gone and didn't even see the post until last night. I was impressed by his 3rd post and searched out the other two. That led to my seeing the zonata stuff. I figured Rulon Clark was involved...


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 Post subject: Re: Rattlesnake/Ground Squirrel Research - Part 2
PostPosted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 3:41 am 
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Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:37 am
Posts: 230
Location: Ukiah, CA
Great post!
I've done quite a bit of herping in the Ohlone and Sunol Wilderness area. I used to do 20 mile hikes in the area when I was in Boy Scouts then started going back to herp it later on.

You're Alameda striped racer is actually a Calfornia striped racer (Masticophis lateralis lateralis)
The Alameda's stripes compose 2 full scale widths, or rather, one full scale with a half scale above and below, while your California's side stripes only compose 2 half scales in width.


Thanks for sharing and congrats on the Zonata!


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