2013 was my best year of herping to date. I got to meet a lot of cool people and even more cool herps.
As usual, my year started out with the coming of warm(ish) rains in January. An early attempt to find some Ambystomatids failed, but I did manage to turn up this zigzag.
Northern Zigzag Salamander (Plethodon dorsalis) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Colder temps after the rains kept me inside. A week later, I revisited a vernal pool on a warm sunny 50 degree day. Hundreds of Jefferson's Salamanders and newts were congregating under the melting ice in the shallows, it was quite a sight to see.
Today's catch by
Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Beneath the Ice by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
January Salamanders by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Jefferson's Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Southern Two Lined Salamander (Eurycea cirrigera) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Jefferson's Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Southern Two Lined Salamander (Eurycea cirrigera) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
In February, Andrew Hoffman was kind enough to show me Streamside Salamanders. We also poked around some flatwoods and found some other Ambystoma and duskies.
Streamside in-situ under a rock
Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Habitat
Creek by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Northern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri) and Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Red Spotted Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Northern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Southern Two Lined Salamander (Eurycea cirrigera) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
In March, I got to observe amphibian breeding activity at night for the first time. I was at the vernal on the first real warm rain, and it was an awesome experience. The forest floor was alive with countless wood frogs making their way to the pond.
Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Northern Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer crucifer) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
A few straggler Jeffs were among the spotteds and frogs.
Jefferson's Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) & Jefferson's Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Northern Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer crucifer) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Red Spotted Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
I also managed to discover a new population of smallmouth salamanders (for me) in my county.
Smallmouth Salamander (Ambystoma texanum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Smallmouth Salamander (Ambystoma texanum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
The area actually used to be a farm, but it's in a very low area and wasn't productive, so farmers attempted to drain the water in these canals. Though they were unsuccesful, they know serve as breeding grounds for many amphibians.
Ditch by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Midland Chorus Frog (Psuedacris triseriata) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
In late March, I got the opportunity to go with Andrew and a few other crawfish frog researchers. Before that though, me and Andrew poked around some flatwoods in search of Four-toed salamanders.
Eventually, we found some-a lifer for me!
Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
There were 3-4 females communally nesting under one patch of moss.
Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Onto the crawfish frogs...we turned up one in a trap and heard one vocalizing in daylight. We also came across some eggs and later a map turtle in a stream.
Northern Crawfish Frog (Rana areolata circulosa) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Northern Crawfish Frog (Rana areolata circulosa) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Northern Crawfish Frog (Rana areolata circulosa) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
My first snake of the year was a feisty water snake, followed shortly by a garter.
Midland Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Midland Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
In a creek near my house, Two Lined salamanders are very common. However, I had never seen them nesting. This spring I put in substantial effort to change that.
Southern Two Lined Salamander (Eurycea cirrigera) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Southern Two Lined Salamander (Eurycea cirrigera) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Orangethroat Darter (Etheostoma spectabile) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Eastern Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina serpentina) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Pickerel Frog (Rana palustris) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Eastern American Toads (Bufo americanus americanus) in amplexus by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Eastern American Toad (Bufo americanus americanus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Eastern American Toads (Bufo americanus americanus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Eastern American Toad (Bufo americanus americanus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Red Spotted Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Red-Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Eastern Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina serpentina) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Northern Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Northern Green Frog (Rana clamitans melanota) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Cope's Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Eastern American Toad (Bufo americanus americanus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Midwestern Worm Snake (Carphophis amoenus helenae) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Northern Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Racer (Coluber constrictor) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Black King Snake (Lampropeltis getula nigra) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Black King Snake (Lampropeltis getula nigra) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Eastern Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Eastern Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Cope's Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Cope's Gray Treefrog (Hyla chysoscelis) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Northern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Cave Salamander (Eurycea lucifiga) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Cave Salamander (Eurycea lucifiga) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Queen Snake (Regina septemvittata) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Queen Snake (Regina septemvittata) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Longtailed Salamander (Eurycea longicauda longicauda) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
I took a trip to SC this summer, stopped in TN on the way.
Southeastern Five Lined Skink (Eumeces inexpectus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
American Toad (Bufo americanus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Cumberland Sliders (Trachemys scripta troostii) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
SC
Southern Toad (Bufo terrestris) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Yellow-bellied Slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Yellow-bellied Slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Eastern Mud Turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Eastern Narrowmouth Toad (Gastrophryne carolinensis) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Back home..I was happy to finally get my lifer copperhead.
Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Ouachita Map Turtles (Graptemys ouachitensis) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Midland Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Crayfish in Burrow by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Northern Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Northern Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Midland Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Snake Eggs by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Snake Hunting by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Cave Salamander (Eurycea lucifiga) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Midwestern Worm Snake (Carphophis amoenus helenae) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Northern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Northern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Five Lined Skink (Eumeces fasciatus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Midland Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Red Spotted Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens ) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Racer (Coluber constrictor) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Bull Frog (Rana catesbeina) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
In October we and some friends herped MO/IL over a long weekend.
Prairie Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus arnyi) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Dwarf American Toad (Bufo americanus charlesmithi) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Three-toed Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina triunguis) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Western Slimy Salamander (Plethodon albagula) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Lined Snake (Tropidoclonion lineatum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Plains Leopard Frog (Rana blairi) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Western Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis proximus proximus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Ringed Salamander (Ambystoma annulatum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Highlight of the trip
Ringed Salamander (Ambystoma annulatum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Western Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorous leucostoma) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Cave Salamanders (Eurycea lucifiga) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Western Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis proximus proximus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus aestivus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Back Home:
Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Southern Two Lined Salamanders (Eurycea cirrigera) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Blanchard's Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans blanchardi) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Zigzag Salamander (Plethodon dorsalis) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Red Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
If you made it through, thanks for looking.
-Zach
2013 in Review
Moderator: Scott Waters
- ThatFrogGuy
- Posts: 744
- Joined: April 15th, 2011, 1:29 pm
- Location: Southern Indiana
- Contact:
- MattSullivan
- Posts: 419
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 2:07 pm
- Location: New Jersey
Re: 2013 in Review
nice dude. Super jealous of the tiger and streamside sals, both are a goal for me next year
- Cole Grover
- Posts: 746
- Joined: June 8th, 2010, 10:06 am
- Location: Montana
Re: 2013 in Review
Nice post, Zach! As a hard-core Lampro-dork, I really like seeing the variety of milks out your way. That said, I think my favorite photos in this post were of the several Thamnophis proximus and that pair of Cave Salamanders.
-Cole
-Cole
- ThatFrogGuy
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Re: 2013 in Review
Thanks guys!