SC Reptile and Amphibians

RECENT OBSERVATIONS

December 2001


Gene's notes

12-02-01 through 12-31-01

In early December I found a small Slimy Salamander under a coverboard. It was about 2 inches long and had no light spots. This was the first non-larval Slimy I've ever seen this small. I wonder if they start off with no spots and develop them as they grow?

During the month, we received local rains on several ocassions which wetted the ground. On Thursday (12-13-01), I found several Spring Peepers on my favorite amphibian road. On Sunday evening (12-23-01), I found a Red Eft on the same road. Locally, it has been a very slow start for the amphibians this Fall.

The month ended with some colder weather, nights at 20 F and below. I did not see or hear any more herps locally.

Year 2001 for me was a year largely devoted to family and work. My first grand-child, a granddaughter, celebrated her 1st Birthday on the 29th of December. During 4 years of a "bullish" economy I was only able to find part-time, temporary work. In this year's "bearish" economy I was finally able to find full-time, permanent employment. Year 2002 will probably be just as busy and surprising, and perhaps will include more herping. Happy New Year to all!

Gene Ott

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Joey's notes

Week ending 12-09-01

What a week. It has been quite warm and pleasant this week, and I have been able to enjoy the outdoors a bit.

Monday (12-3-01), I spent some time at the River Pasture. I found River Cooters basking on logs. On shore, under other logs I found Marbled Salamanders. Under my favorite log, the "good log", I found my expected, Spotted Salamanders (Spot # 1 and #4).

Wednesday (12-5-01), Took my class off campus. We searched around for Tiger Beetles (C. repanda) but could find none. We did collect about 5 Meadowhawks (Dragonflies) at the Minnow Pond. Dragonflies in December!

Friday (12-7-01), Again, I took my class off campus to show them the Marbled and Spotted Salamanders. Frogs? We found a Southern Leopard Frog, Green Frog, and Upland Chorus Frog. There were plenty of basking River Cooters to be seen. We even flipped a few cow pies to search for Scarabs/Dung Beetles. There, in the pies, we found some smaller (5-6 mm) beetles that had bright copper-colored elytra, but dark olive-black elsewhere. Collected a few. Found a DOR Black Ratsnake.

Saturday (12-8-01), We walked a bit on campus and found Fence Lizards, Anoles, and Ground Skinks. We also found a Thumbnail-sized Scarab in a spot of un-identified poop. It was very pretty, metallic green (the BEETLE- not the poop). Any ideas? I have yet to purchase the new SC Scarab Book by Phil Harpoolian, but it is on my list. Speaking of Books, I got a super new book in the mail. "AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF PENNSYLVANIA AND THE NORTHEAST" and it features the finest of photographs, as many were supplied by Wayne Van Devender and Tom Diez! I called Tom immediately. We talked about the book and plans for the up-coming seasons. With any luck, we will be able to enjoy field time together in the spring! I sure hope so! Herping time with Wayne is always a fun and educational event also. My greatest thanks and respect to Tom and Wayne for all the kindnesses they have done for me.

The weather will likely change soon. Winter is coming. I have enjoyed wearing shorts to work this week. Considering the weather some of you have been having lately, I feel blessed. When the days cold and rainy, with misery abundant, I'll read and write of warm spring days and hot summer nights. Endless dirt roads through swamps, fields, and forests, with "no one ahead of me, no one behind me".

Week ending 12-16-01

Have had almost NO outdoors time this week. I did make some observations about the seasonal changes taking place. Monday (12-10-01) it was cold (40 F) and rainy. By Friday (12-14-01) and Saturday (12-15-01), I was back in shorts and T-shirt for my work cloths. Shame ain't it. Even grabbed a few Anoles for feeder items. This time of year you just can't tell.

Week ending 12-24-01

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

This week has been full of hustle and bustle, city sidewalks, busy sidewalks, and such!

This week on Monday (12-17-01) I went to the river pasture and saw my Spotted Salamanders (#1 and #4) under the "good log". That has been it for herps. Did find some more little beetles, (copper colored elytra & dark elsewhere) hiding in the cow dung. Didn't collect any.

Birds? Plenty of Killdeer, Meadowlarks, Robins, Barred Owls, Red-Tailed Hawks, and Harriers. First Harriers for me for the season. I usually see these guys just prior to Christmas, and it goes along with the Christmas mood for me.

Mammals? Whitetail Deer and Hispid Cotton Rats were all that caught my eye.

Weather? Some days it was shorts and T-shirts, but it has also been cool and rainy, and just plain cold with several frosts (Canadians please feel free to chuckle now). I don't care about the cold this week, it's Christmas!

I wish for Peace. Safety for our citizens and soldiers. I hope for all of you a safe, Happy Holiday, filled with Joy, Love, and Family! But Christmas means so much more! The real meaning of Christmas is simple: "For God So loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."

Tonight in Bethlehem, it will be clear, and 37 degrees.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL, AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!

Week ending 12-31-01

Happy New Year,

This week has been cold. Winter is here. But I have still been outdoors a bit.

Monday (12-24-01), After sending out last week's report, I stopped by the river pasture to show off my Salamanders to my brother Jeff and his wife (in SC for the holidays). We found the expected: Spot #1 and #4, under the "good log"; also, a male Red-Headed Woodpecker decorated the sky. Very pretty!

Tuesday (12-25-01), CHRISTMAS! Santa brought me some nice books and such, but my son got a kayak! And a remote-control boat! So we went back to the river pasture. While my son was enjoying the kayak (he did 3 miles altogether), my wife and I checked logs and found two Marbled Salamanders and a few of the small Scarabs (beetles) that live in the cow pies. We also found a fresh, dead Great Horned Owl. Very odd.

Wednesday (12-26-01), Back at work, the classroom animals are fine and I thank the staff and kids for caring for them while I was gone for a few days. Under some landscaping timbers we found a couple of Southern Two-Lined Salamanders and some Slimy Salamander eggs.

Thursday (12-27-01), A herper from the Greenville area stopped by work for a visit.

Friday (12-28-01), Caught a Green Anole and a Ground Skink to use as scenting items. Some small ratsnakes I have don't like pinkie mice but will take them with a drop of lizard juice on their forehead. We break off a lizard tail, and squeeze the tail for blood/juice to rub onto the pinks. Works every time!

Saturday (12-29-01) and Sunday (12-30-01), Nothing worth mentioning.

SNAKES CAUGHT IN 2001:

Northern Watersnake.........................2
Midland Watersnake........................14
Redbelly Watersnake.......................13
Banded Watersnake........................16
Queen Snake....................................1
Black Swamp Snake........................2
Smooth Earth Snake........................1
Brown Snake...................................8
Red-Bellied Snake...........................8
Eastern Garter Snake.......................3
Eastern Ribbon Snake......................1
Southern Ringneck Snake................3
Northern Ringneck Snake................1
Eastern Worm Snake....................13
Mud Snake.....................................2
Black Racer..................................29
Corn (Red Rat) Snake....................3
Black Ratsnake.............................14
Mole Kingsnake..............................4
Eastern Kingsnake.........................12
Black Kingsnake.............................1
Southeastern Crowned Snake..........2
Copperhead....................................8
Cottonmouth...................................3
Timber (Canebrake) Rattlesnake.....1

165 snakes of 25 varieties! Good numbers! Good variety!

First snake of 2001 was a Southern Ringneck found on 2-10-01

Herping was mainly across South Carolina. I did have a little time in NC, Tenn, and Ketntucky. I caught snakes in Kentucky, never had caught a snake there before! I got no new snake species. Did get Black Swamps for the first time since 1982! Caught Mole Kingsnakes in Laurens, Union, and Spartanburg Counties, with DOR Mole Kings in Cherokee and Newberry Counties. Caught my first Newberry County snake. Saw the expected Lizards, Turtles, and Alligators. Frogs were as expected but I did get my first Clemson Salamander (Jordans variation).

Much thanks to those who provided herping companionship! I was able to spend time afield with some wonderful folks. My deepest appreciation and respect.

Again, Happy New Year!

Joey Holmes

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December 31, 2001
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