frogz13

Had a few minutes...thought I would post!

It's reptile days here in dusty and dry North Florida! Hasn't rained in
forever...fires are popping up everywhere and so are the reptiles!

For the first time that I can think of, reptile season actually started in
the beginning of February. It has been an incredibly warm winter. I
spotted a eastern box turtle trying to cross a busy intersection in town. I
was shocked to see one out and about so early on...but I got out to rescue
him.

Then we had a large common snapping turtle trying to escape our swamp at the
museum. He was crossing the busy street, towards a new large parking lot
that once was another area of wetlands. We ran out and got a shovel,
scooped him up and returned him to our swamp. I bet he tried crossing
later...but if so, I haven't seen any evidence of it, so he must have made
it if he tried.

In the last two weeks though, the reptiles have been in full force. I have
spotted 4 black racers so far this year. At the museum, there is a gray rat
snake that has been found living up in the ceder shake shingles of one of
the pioneer buildings outside. I go and check on him from time to time. Of
course, five-line skinks and anoles are common around there. Haven't seen
too many frogs yet. It is suppossed to rain this weekend and I am sure that
they will pull out of their winter hibernation spots for that!

Closer to my home...I live in the woods...I moved a Red Rat Snake out of the
dirt road the other day. A yearling with nice colors. Was just as calm as
could be as I picked him up and moved him into the weeds on the side of the
road. Then last night as I was coming home, there is a spot where the
pavement ends and the road turns to an unmaintained dirt road (I live quite
a ways back in the woods!)...on the paved part, there was a beautiful
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake just creeping along ever so slowly. I would
have left him there, but he wasn't moving very quickly and I could see
headlights coming from down the road. Knowing what his fate would be, since
it seems to be a sport to run over snakes here in this area, I grabbed my
snake hook off my back dash and moved him. He was just as calm as could be,
never even tried to slip off my hook! He was also a young one, probably
also a yearling, only about a foot and a half long. He was so pretty!

Well...that's about it. I know it's rambling...but I was dying to see
something posted on here. It's been so dead lately.

So anyone else have any reptile sightings they wish to share!?!

birdkeeper7

other than the new herps arriving at the zoo for the education
department, I haven't seen any herps around here. (Southern Tier NY) I
also haven't been looking. I always get so jealous when I hear
everyone's stories from down south. I'm horribly jealous of the
diamondback. I love those snakes. Had the chance to work with them a
few years back. Very intimidating, but very beautiful! Thanks for the
post!

n jill marsh

Being significantly farther north than you (Eastern Ontario, Canada),
we had ice in the rivers and creeks until about 10 days ago. We've
had the odd warm day, but nothing really to signify until yesterday,
which was beautiful and warm (over 20C).

Today, I have dozens of painted turtles sunning themselves on logs in
the creek outside my door. They go into the water when you get too
close, but I wanted to see if there were any water frogs about, and so
there are: bullfrogs and leopard frogs, although you wouldn't know it
to listen.

The most glorious thing however are the tree frogs, they are calling
all through the bush and in my cedar hedge as well. I have high hopes
of going to sleep tonight to the music of the spring peepers.

nj"a nice change from the geese"m

--
"Aha, Mr. Bond! You have arrived just in time to
witness the triumph of the trilobites, and the end
of the human race."

frogz13

What part of the zoo do you work in? I know you have talked about it
before, but I have a dreadful memory

I love the Diamondbacks also! They are such an amazing species. There are
actually quite a few venomous species that I find gorgeous or interesting!
I think that the Copperhead is just about one of the prettiest snakes in
this area! I have never worked with them though, nor any other venomous
snake. My extent of handling is from a very very safe distance at the end
of a snake hook!

frogz13

I wish I could see water from here! We have a creek about a mile and a half
away, not bad for a pleasant walk...but it would be nice to have it closer!
That must be so relaxing to be able to sit and watch all that goes on out
your door!