Post photos of wild herps feeding
Moderator: Scott Waters
Post photos of wild herps feeding
With the success of the recent rattlesnake photo post, makes me think we need some more photo heavy theme threads on here.
How about photos of herps eating in the wild? I have to admit I have started this thread before, twice actually, once during the pre-crash days and once a few years ago. It's a rare surprise to come across and get to witness in nature and the nice thing about our hobby is that we all come across new things constantly so i'm sure there's tons of new photos since those threads. However to the members that participated in the old thread, I'd love to see some of the old shots as well!
So lets see everyones shots of herps feeding out in nature!
I'll start with mine, a few oldies but goodies and then some new ones from more recently.
Those of you who have been around a while may have seen these shots already but its tough to beat, years later and its still one of the highlights of herping for me.
Crocodile and Fish, Part 4 by Anton, on Flickr
Crocodile and Fish, part 5 by Anton, on Flickr
Ravenous by Anton, on Flickr
Alligator with turtle by Anton, on Flickr
And now some I haven't ever posted on here before.
Not really feeding, but believe me it wasn't for lack of trying.
Snack Attack by Anton, on Flickr
Frogday Friday by Anton, on Flickr
Frog Dinner by Anton, on Flickr
A Mouthful by Anton, on Flickr
Now lets see some of your pics!
How about photos of herps eating in the wild? I have to admit I have started this thread before, twice actually, once during the pre-crash days and once a few years ago. It's a rare surprise to come across and get to witness in nature and the nice thing about our hobby is that we all come across new things constantly so i'm sure there's tons of new photos since those threads. However to the members that participated in the old thread, I'd love to see some of the old shots as well!
So lets see everyones shots of herps feeding out in nature!
I'll start with mine, a few oldies but goodies and then some new ones from more recently.
Those of you who have been around a while may have seen these shots already but its tough to beat, years later and its still one of the highlights of herping for me.
Crocodile and Fish, Part 4 by Anton, on Flickr
Crocodile and Fish, part 5 by Anton, on Flickr
Ravenous by Anton, on Flickr
Alligator with turtle by Anton, on Flickr
And now some I haven't ever posted on here before.
Not really feeding, but believe me it wasn't for lack of trying.
Snack Attack by Anton, on Flickr
Frogday Friday by Anton, on Flickr
Frog Dinner by Anton, on Flickr
A Mouthful by Anton, on Flickr
Now lets see some of your pics!
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Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
This past May, a friend and I got to observe this Ribbon Snake feeding on a Leopard frog. I was able to capture some video as well as get a shot or two. We heard the frog crying and immediately knew it had been caught:
Ribbon Snake feeding on a Leopard Frog. by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
Ribbon Snake feeding on a Leopard Frog. by Matt Arnold, on Flickr
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
One of my most memorable snake feeding observations -
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Those shots of the croc with fish are awesome. If I had to pick my favorite picture on this thread so far, it'd be the first picture of the croc with the fish just sitting in its mouth.
I've posted this one before, but for those that didn't get to see it. It took this black racer about 40 minutes to eat the skink, it got loose and had to spend a while chasing it down all over again.
Southern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor priapus) tackling male Five-Lined Skink (Eumeces [Plestiodon] fasciatus).
I've posted this one before, but for those that didn't get to see it. It took this black racer about 40 minutes to eat the skink, it got loose and had to spend a while chasing it down all over again.
Southern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor priapus) tackling male Five-Lined Skink (Eumeces [Plestiodon] fasciatus).
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Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
moc and nerodia2 by Tamara McConnell1, on Flickr
This is from our little backyard creek.
gopher2 by Tamara McConnell1, on Flickr
Granted, eating grass is not very exciting. But it still counts as eating, right?
henhouse visitor by Tamara McConnell1, on Flickr
Back when we kept chickens, my hens had their own ratsnake that would visit and enjoy an occasional egg.
This is from our little backyard creek.
gopher2 by Tamara McConnell1, on Flickr
Granted, eating grass is not very exciting. But it still counts as eating, right?
henhouse visitor by Tamara McConnell1, on Flickr
Back when we kept chickens, my hens had their own ratsnake that would visit and enjoy an occasional egg.
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Here is a shieldtail(Melanophidium sp.) feeding on earthworm:
IMG_7039 by Chaitanya Shukla, on Flickr
IMG_7043 by Chaitanya Shukla, on Flickr
IMG_7046 by Chaitanya Shukla, on Flickr
And another one of Hemidactylus flaviviridis feeding on an Oleander hawk moth(Daphnis nerii):
Hemidactylus flaviviridis by Chaitanya Shukla, on Flickr
I have lots more of pics of lizards and snakes feeding, but I don't think I will get time to upload those anytime soon.
IMG_7039 by Chaitanya Shukla, on Flickr
IMG_7043 by Chaitanya Shukla, on Flickr
IMG_7046 by Chaitanya Shukla, on Flickr
And another one of Hemidactylus flaviviridis feeding on an Oleander hawk moth(Daphnis nerii):
Hemidactylus flaviviridis by Chaitanya Shukla, on Flickr
I have lots more of pics of lizards and snakes feeding, but I don't think I will get time to upload those anytime soon.
- ThatFrogGuy
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Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Midland Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis) preying on an American Toad (Bufo americanus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Midland Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis) preying on an American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeina) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Midland Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon pleauralis) preying upon crayfish by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Midland Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis) preying on an American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeina) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Midland Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon pleauralis) preying upon crayfish by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
PS, if its not too much to ask, labeling the photos with species names would be appreciated.
- Steve Bledsoe
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- Carl Brune
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Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Eastern Gartersnake eating a Fowler's Toad. North Carolina.
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Green parrot snake (Leptophis ahaetulla) with an unlucky red-eyed treefrog (Agalychnis callidryas),
Costa Rica
- Tim Borski
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Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Ringer with Narrow mouth.
Coral with Yellow rat snake.
Ribbon with Narrow mouth.
Tim
Coral with Yellow rat snake.
Ribbon with Narrow mouth.
Tim
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
CA Giant Salamander (Dicamptodon ensatus) with Banana Slug (Ariolimax californicus)
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Found this after a long day of hiking, right as we were sitting down to eat back at the truck.
Pantherophis obsoletus lindheimeri (Texas Rat Snake) by Kyle, on Flickr
Pantherophis obsoletus lindheimeri (Texas Rat Snake) by Kyle, on Flickr
Pantherophis obsoletus lindheimeri (Texas Rat Snake) by Kyle, on Flickr
Pantherophis obsoletus lindheimeri (Texas Rat Snake) by Kyle, on Flickr
Pantherophis obsoletus lindheimeri (Texas Rat Snake) by Kyle, on Flickr
Pantherophis obsoletus lindheimeri (Texas Rat Snake) by Kyle, on Flickr
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Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Here's a water snake eating roadkill from this summer!
- BillMcGighan
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Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Speaking of the demise Cuban Tree Frogs.......
(Southern Black Racer hunting under a house trailer skirt.)
(Southern Black Racer hunting under a house trailer skirt.)
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Anton, Thanks for starting this thread, it is really great!
Thanks to everyone who has contributed. I recognize quite a few of these photos from flickr over the years. I especially like the Dicamptodon eating the banana slug.
Here are a couple photos of mine from years gone by:
Ribbon Snake Eating Green Treefrog by Mike Benard, on Flickr
Kingsnake eating a garter snake by Mike Benard, on Flickr
Thanks to everyone who has contributed. I recognize quite a few of these photos from flickr over the years. I especially like the Dicamptodon eating the banana slug.
Here are a couple photos of mine from years gone by:
Ribbon Snake Eating Green Treefrog by Mike Benard, on Flickr
Kingsnake eating a garter snake by Mike Benard, on Flickr
- yoloherper
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Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Here's a fairly recent one that I already have uploaded to my flickr
Taricha stopping to pull up a few earthworms on their breeding migration
DSC_0197 by mangoman57, on Flickr
DSC_0198 by mangoman57, on Flickr
DSC_0192 by mangoman57, on Flickr
Taricha stopping to pull up a few earthworms on their breeding migration
DSC_0197 by mangoman57, on Flickr
DSC_0198 by mangoman57, on Flickr
DSC_0192 by mangoman57, on Flickr
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Frogs may look big, but I bet they squish down to a much smaller size without much effort.
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Along with this picture of Elgaria coerulea eating homo sapiens
I have a few online collections of pictures and videos of herps feeding, most of which were sent to me by other photographers.
Among my favorites is this heavily-edited video of a Pygmy Short-horned Lizard in Washington that let me follow it around as it chased and ate ants:
http://www.californiaherps.com/movies/p ... 612eat.mov
Snakes Eating
http://www.californiaherps.com/behavior ... eding.html
Lizards Eating
http://www.californiaherps.com/behavior ... ardsEating
Frogs Eating
http://www.californiaherps.com/behavior ... rogsEating
Salamanders Eating
http://www.californiaherps.com/behavior ... eding.html
- AndyKraemer
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Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Great shots, everyone!
I suppose I have one for this thread too: A Galápagos Racer eating a Pinzon Gecko.
Pseudalsophis cf. slevini by Andy Kraemer, on Flickr
I suppose I have one for this thread too: A Galápagos Racer eating a Pinzon Gecko.
Pseudalsophis cf. slevini by Andy Kraemer, on Flickr
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Valley Garter Snake Feeding by Rye Jones, on Flickr
Valley Garter Snake Feeding by Rye Jones, on Flickr
Wandering Garter Snake-Thamnophis elegans vagrans by Rye Jones, on Flickr
Valley Garter Snake Feeding by Rye Jones, on Flickr
Valley Garter Snake Feeding by Rye Jones, on Flickr
Wandering Garter Snake-Thamnophis elegans vagrans by Rye Jones, on Flickr
Valley Garter Snake Feeding by Rye Jones, on Flickr
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Some of my favorite ones (juvi copperhead striking at juvi leopard frog, coachwhip holding on to desert spiny lizard in a joshua tree, juvi water monitor eating asian painted frog) were when I was cameraless. Here's a few shots I did get.
Morelet's Croc in Coba, Mexico eating discarded chicken
Banded Krait in Bangladesh eating Indian Wolf Snake
Water Monitor eating fish carrion in Bangkok
Black Mud Turtle in Bangkok eating the Water Monitor's scraps
Cricket Frog eating massive earthworm in Bangkok
Flat-tailed House Geckos converging on insect in Laos
Tadpoles of Nanorana minica in the Himalayas eating a dead fish (ID of tadpoles uncertin - possibly different Nanorana or Rana vicina)
Northwestern Salamander in Canada eating a very dirty slug
Morelet's Croc in Coba, Mexico eating discarded chicken
Banded Krait in Bangladesh eating Indian Wolf Snake
Water Monitor eating fish carrion in Bangkok
Black Mud Turtle in Bangkok eating the Water Monitor's scraps
Cricket Frog eating massive earthworm in Bangkok
Flat-tailed House Geckos converging on insect in Laos
Tadpoles of Nanorana minica in the Himalayas eating a dead fish (ID of tadpoles uncertin - possibly different Nanorana or Rana vicina)
Northwestern Salamander in Canada eating a very dirty slug
- herpseeker1978
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Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
That is an awesome shot!
Josh
- BillMcGighan
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Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Gee, Jonathan, those are sensory overload......
I was going to say I saw a ducky and a horsey!
A little anticlimactic, but if you haven’t watched newts feed on other Spotted Salamander eggs before, here’s a peek.
I was going to say I saw a ducky and a horsey!
A little anticlimactic, but if you haven’t watched newts feed on other Spotted Salamander eggs before, here’s a peek.
- MarcLinsalata
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Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
A Eastern Diamondback consuming a marsh rat late at night and deep in the Everglades.
Crotalus adamanteus by Jake Scott, on Flickr
Crotalus adamanteus by Jake Scott, on Flickr
And the western variety eating a kangaroo rat deep in the heart of Big Bend.
Crotalus atrox by Jake Scott, on Flickr
Crotalus atrox by Jake Scott, on Flickr
-Jake
Crotalus adamanteus by Jake Scott, on Flickr
Crotalus adamanteus by Jake Scott, on Flickr
And the western variety eating a kangaroo rat deep in the heart of Big Bend.
Crotalus atrox by Jake Scott, on Flickr
Crotalus atrox by Jake Scott, on Flickr
-Jake
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Here's a few seconds of video from a situation I watched the other night. I drove up on this snake thinking it was a roadkill but saw that it was alive and trying to swallow this giant DOR Lithobates berlandieri. He tried for a good ten minutes while I watched, regurgitating a bit then starting again, moving around to another side, but eventually figures out that it is just too big and wanders of.
I wished I had had a machete so I could cut off the large back leg he had already swallowed so he could benefit from his investment of energy!
I wished I had had a machete so I could cut off the large back leg he had already swallowed so he could benefit from his investment of energy!
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Went for an afternoon hike on this last Sunday. My sister came across this female while we walked back to the truck at sunset.
20151011_182821 by nhherp
20151011_182837 by nhherp
-N-
20151011_182821 by nhherp
20151011_182837 by nhherp
-N-
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Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Great photos everybody, some many awsome observations I wish I had seen first hand. Here are a few more.
Best,
Nick
Redbelly with slug
Storeria occipitomaculata by N Cairns, on Flickr
Eastern garter eating a American toad which looked to had been stepped on.
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis and Anaxyrus americanus by N Cairns, on Flickr
Rat snake making a meal of a nest full of barn swallow eggs.
Pantherophis spiloides by N Cairns, on Flickr
Callose-palmed fence skink vs. large cricket.
Cryptoblepharus plagiocephalus by N Cairns, on Flickr
Mudpuppy battling current and a brown bullhead on a cold (-40C) evening.
Necturus maculosus eating Ameiurus nebulosus by N Cairns, on Flickr
Ornate rock dragon leaping after what I recall being a moth.
Ctenophorus ornatus by N Cairns, on Flickr
Best,
Nick
Redbelly with slug
Storeria occipitomaculata by N Cairns, on Flickr
Eastern garter eating a American toad which looked to had been stepped on.
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis and Anaxyrus americanus by N Cairns, on Flickr
Rat snake making a meal of a nest full of barn swallow eggs.
Pantherophis spiloides by N Cairns, on Flickr
Callose-palmed fence skink vs. large cricket.
Cryptoblepharus plagiocephalus by N Cairns, on Flickr
Mudpuppy battling current and a brown bullhead on a cold (-40C) evening.
Necturus maculosus eating Ameiurus nebulosus by N Cairns, on Flickr
Ornate rock dragon leaping after what I recall being a moth.
Ctenophorus ornatus by N Cairns, on Flickr
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
As I was sitting in my room in the slum last night, watching Yellow-green House Geckos pick off bugs all over our wall, I was thinking, "I wonder how many other herpers get to observe literally dozens of 'wild herps feeding' events every night before they go to bed?"
In related news, I just pulled a Common Dotted Supple Skink off the top of my wife's head, where it had crawled while we were in the middle of a meeting in one of the little education centers that I run in another slum. That was really amusing.
Okay, I'm done bragging.
In related news, I just pulled a Common Dotted Supple Skink off the top of my wife's head, where it had crawled while we were in the middle of a meeting in one of the little education centers that I run in another slum. That was really amusing.
Okay, I'm done bragging.
- FastSnake17
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- Location: Blacksburg, VA
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
These are awesome!
Banded water snake attempting to subdue a bullfrog (the frog eventually escaped)
IMG_5154 by Billy Moore, on Flickr
Eastern king downing a hognose
MDK by Billy Moore, on Flickr
IMG_5055 by Billy Moore, on Flickr
Banded water snake attempting to subdue a bullfrog (the frog eventually escaped)
IMG_5154 by Billy Moore, on Flickr
Eastern king downing a hognose
MDK by Billy Moore, on Flickr
IMG_5055 by Billy Moore, on Flickr
- kaptainkory
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Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Southern Arizona Herping Trip by Kory Roberts, on Flickr
Southern Arizona Herping Trip by Kory Roberts, on Flickr
Southern Arizona Herping Trip by Kory Roberts, on Flickr
Southern Arizona Herping Trip by Kory Roberts, on Flickr
Southern Arizona Herping Trip by Kory Roberts, on Flickr
Southern Arizona Herping Trip by Kory Roberts, on Flickr
Southern Arizona Herping Trip by Kory Roberts, on Flickr
Southern Arizona Herping Trip by Kory Roberts, on Flickr
Southern Arizona Herping Trip by Kory Roberts, on Flickr
Southern Arizona Herping Trip by Kory Roberts, on Flickr
Southern Arizona Herping Trip by Kory Roberts, on Flickr
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Kory, I wonder if you could put that together as a flip book or maybe a stop-motion styled video. Totally cool!!!
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Red racer (Coluber flagellum piceus) consuming a Great Basin fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis longipes)
- Naja Bungarus
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Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Xenopeltis unicolor, Sunbeam snake
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Forgot about this post, glad it resurfaced. Some great shots! Here’s a few more additions from over the years, all found in situ.
Ruber finishing a ground squirrel.
Longnose working A K-Rat fuzzie.
Speck finishing a rabbit. It could barely even move after.
Whipsnake starting a tree frog.
Ruber working a K-Rat.
Do I even need a caption…..Desert King starting a Gophersnake.
Ruber finishing a ground squirrel.
Longnose working A K-Rat fuzzie.
Speck finishing a rabbit. It could barely even move after.
Whipsnake starting a tree frog.
Ruber working a K-Rat.
Do I even need a caption…..Desert King starting a Gophersnake.
- Steve Barten
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Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
To keep this thread going, here are a few more.
An oldie but a goodie, first posted a while ago: Red Milksnake and a woodland vole, Southern IL, Sept 2007. I heard squeaking in the leaf litter, saw a leaf move, and lifted it to find this:
No, milksnakes have small heads and can’t swallow large prey.
Juvenile Common (Shawnee) Kingsnake, grossly distended, unfortunately regurgitated an adult Red-bellied Snake when found under tin. Southern IL.
The prey was longer than the predator and folded back on itself.
Previously posted, an unsuccessful attack on a Red-bellied Cooter by an alligator. SW FL.
An oldie but a goodie, first posted a while ago: Red Milksnake and a woodland vole, Southern IL, Sept 2007. I heard squeaking in the leaf litter, saw a leaf move, and lifted it to find this:
No, milksnakes have small heads and can’t swallow large prey.
Juvenile Common (Shawnee) Kingsnake, grossly distended, unfortunately regurgitated an adult Red-bellied Snake when found under tin. Southern IL.
The prey was longer than the predator and folded back on itself.
Previously posted, an unsuccessful attack on a Red-bellied Cooter by an alligator. SW FL.
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
A Great Basin Rattlesnake with a kangaroo rat:
Kangaroo Rat in a Great Basin Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus lutosus) by Gavin Beck, on Flickr
A young Great Basin Fence Lizard with a fly:
Great Basin Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis longipes) with prey by Gavin Beck, on Flickr
Not quite "eating", but here's a Great Basin Spadefoot regurgitating a recent meal:
Great Basin Spadefoot Toad (Spea intermontana) by Gavin Beck, on Flickr
Kangaroo Rat in a Great Basin Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus lutosus) by Gavin Beck, on Flickr
A young Great Basin Fence Lizard with a fly:
Great Basin Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis longipes) with prey by Gavin Beck, on Flickr
Not quite "eating", but here's a Great Basin Spadefoot regurgitating a recent meal:
Great Basin Spadefoot Toad (Spea intermontana) by Gavin Beck, on Flickr