Swchr Bulletin

SWCHR Volume 2, Issue 4 BULLETINWinter 2012

ISSN 2330-6025

Conservation - Preservation - Education - Public Information Research - Field Studies - Captive Propagation The SWCHR BULLETIN is published quarterly by the SOUTHWESTERN CENTER FOR HERPETOLOGICAL RESEARCH PO Box 624, Seguin TX 78156 www.southwesternherp.com email: [email protected] ISSN 2330-6025

OFFICERS 2010-2012 COMMITTEE CHAIRS

PRESIDENT COMMITTEE ON COMMON AND SCIENTIFIC Tom Lott NAMES Tom Lott VICE PRESIDENT Todd Hughes RANGE MAP COMMITTEE Tom Lott INTERIM SECRETARY Sara Lott AWARDS AND GRANTS COMMITTEE (vacant) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Gerald Keown COMMUNICATIONS COMMITEE Gerald Keown BOARD MEMBERS Toby Brock, Hans Koenig ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS COMMITTEE (vacant) BULLETIN EDITOR Chris McMartin NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE Gerald Keown

ABOUT SWCHR EDUCATION COMMITTEE Sara Lott Originally founded by Gerald Keown in 2007, SWCHR is a 501(c) (3) non-profit association, governed by a board of directors and MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE dedicated to promoting education of the Association’s members Toby Brock and the general public relating to the natural history, biology, tax- onomy, conservation and preservation needs, field studies, and captive propagation of the herpetofauna indigenous to the Ameri- CONSERVATION COMMITTEE can Southwest. (vacant)

THE SWCHR LOGO JOINING SWCHR

There are several versions of the SWCHR logo, all featuring the For information on becoming a member please visit the member- Gray-Banded Kingsnake (Lampropeltis alterna), a widely-recognized ship page of the SWCHR web site at reptile native to the Trans-Pecos region of Texas as well as adjacent http://www.southwesternherp.com/join.html. Mexico and New Mexico.

ON THE COVER: Speckled Kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula holbrooki, Brazoria County, TX (Matt Hollanders). This photograph was voted the winner of the 2011 ©2012 Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research. The SWCHR Bul- SWCHR Award for Excellence in Herpetological Photography. letin may not be reproduced in whole or in part on any web site or in any other publication without the prior explicit written consent of the Southwestern Center BACKGROUND IMAGE: Elephant Tusk, Big Bend National Park, TX (Chris for Herpetological Research and of the respective author(s) and photographer(s). McMartin) SWCHR Bulletin 1 Winter 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS

A Message from the President, Tom Lott 2

Natural History Observations of the Anguid Lizard Gerrhonotus infernalis (Baird, 1859) 3 in Travis County, Texas (Lacertilia: Anguidae), Philip Ralidis and Edward Acuna

Feeding Observations of Captive Regal Ringneck Snakes, Diadophis punctatus regalis 6 (Serpentes: Colubridae), Andy O’Connor

Notes on Natural History and Captive Maintenance of the Texas Horned Lizard, 8 Phrynosoma cornutum (Lacertilia: Phrynosomatidae), Lou Hamby

Book Review: A Field Guide to Oklahoma’s Amphibians and Reptiles, Chris McMartin 11

A CALL FOR PAPERS

Are you a field herpetologist or a herpetoculturist working with species native to the American Southwest? Do you have a paper or an article you have written for which you would like to find a permanent repository? Want to be assured you will always be able to share it with the world? Submit it to the SWCHR Bulletin for possible publication. Submitted manuscripts from SWCHR members, as well as non-members, will be considered.

To be accepted for publication, submissions must deal with herpetological species native to the American Southwest. Such topics as field notes, county checklists, range extensions, taxonomy, reproduction and breeding, diseases, snake bite and venom research, captive breeding and maintenance, conservation issues, legal issues, etc. are all acceptable. For assistance with formatting manuscripts, search ‘scientific journal article format’ on the internet and tailor the resultant guidance to suit.

Previously published articles or papers are acceptable, provided you still hold the copyright to the work and have the right to re-publish it. If we accept your paper or article for publication, you will still continue to be the copyright holder. If your submission has been previously published, please provide the name of the publication in which it appeared along with the date of publication. All submissions should be manually proofed in addition to being spell checked and should be submitted by email as either Microsoft Word or text documents.

Send submissions to [email protected]. SWCHR Bulletin 2 Winter 2012 A Message from the President

All in all 2012 was a good year for SWCHR. In only our fifth year of existence we have gradually gained in prominence and stature, becoming an accepted and respected resource for all things herpetological in the southwestern region. Our participation in the Sanderson “Snake Days” event in June as well as the first ever National Reptile and Amphibian Law Symposium in Houston in September are but examples of the kind of involvement we hope to expand upon in the coming years. I extend my personal thanks, as well as those of the membership, to those who made our participation in these events possible.

The SWCHR Bulletin also, with this issue completing only its second year, has become the kind of publication many of us feel is needed in the avocation, filling the virtually-unoccupied niche between the sometimes excessively technical (and dry) national herp journals and the frequently too chatty and cliquish local herp society publications. Despite sluggish and even desultory submission rates, our Editor, Chris McMartin, has managed to shepherd this journal into a respectable contribution to the herpetological literature, publishing unique, pertinent articles that would be largely unavailable elsewhere. I extend our collective thanks to Chris for his efforts on our behalf.

I would also thank our founder and Executive Director, Gerald Keown, for all of the herculean efforts he puts forth to keep the organization running smoothly from day to day, serving as the public face of SWCHR, as well as wearing many different hats throughout the year.

And finally, I would like to thank our membership for its continued financial and moral support and, once again, to encourage all of you to become active participants by posting on the forums, volunteering to serve on committees, submitting articles for publication in the Bulletin, submitting photos for the species accounts , etc.

I hope everyone enjoys a great Holiday Season and that 2013 is an even better year!

Happy herping, SWCHR Bulletin 3 Winter 2012

Natural History Observations of the Anguid with colleagues studying this species in other parts of their range, and comparisons with published and anecdotal accounts in more Lizard Gerrhonotus infernalis (Baird ,1859) in xeric localities lead us to suspect that some of the behavioral Travis County, Texas (Lacertilia: Anguidae) patterns seen in our populations may be particular to mesic Hill Country habitats. by Philip Ralidis and Edward Acuna These cumulative observations focus on three aspects of Abstract: Observations of the Texas alligator lizard over Gerrhonotus biology: extensive arboreality, extreme cryptosis with a nine year period in Travis County have revealed strong marked attenuation of flight response, and survival in the rapidly seasonal patterns of arboreal and saxicolous behavior. expanding metropolis of Austin. Our perception of stable study Extreme crypsis may account for a markedly attenuated flight site populations despite increasing human protrusion into habitat response. Utilization of arboreal pathways between limestone supports this species’ at least temporary success in meeting these karst retreats and favored basking sites presumably reduces challenges. exposure to terrestrial predators, and preference for dense understory a reduction in avian predation. Although common Study Sites in suitable habitat in the study area, these attributes account for relatively infrequent sightings even by experienced field Gerrhonotus infernalis inhabits a variety of habitats in an arc- personnel, and allow persistence of stable populations in a like distribution from the comparatively mesic juniper and oak rapidly expanding urban area. dominated Hill Country region of Travis County at the easternmost extension of its range (Fayette County contains populations within The Texas alligator lizard, Gerrhonotus infernalis, is the northernmost an isolated Hill Country geological and floral community some 60 representative in this genus of five species (Good, 1994). It is the miles east) to xeric Chihuahuan Desert in Val Verde and Terrell second largest native saurian in Texas, with the maximum recorded Counties, the Chisos Mountains of Big Bend National Park, and standard length (snout-vent) of 8 inches (20 cm) exceeded only by southward in Mexico to San Luis Potosi. Our two study sites the anguid Ophisaurus attenuatus. Despite its large size and distinctive reside in the Barton Creek greenbelt within Austin, Texas city patterning, it can be a frustrating species to find with any regularity; limits. Barton Creek is semi-permanent and runs 41 miles before most anecdotal reports from local herpetologists and enthusiasts emptying into the Colorado River. Austin is c.620 feet above describe sporadic, even accidental, encounters despite significant sea level, receives an average annual rainfall of 33 inches, and is time in habitat. Our observations between the years 2002 - 2010 at situated on the Edwards Aquifer, a huge porous limestone reservoir two study sites in the Barton Creek greenbelt of Austin, Texas belie at the easternmost edge of the Edwards Plateau that runs south presumptions of essentially terrestrial behavior that hold true for to San Antonio. Considerable seasonal and cyclical variation in Elgaria of the western United States. Average annual records of 25 precipitation for any particular month in successive years may result lizards combined with multiple sightings of individuals in any given in a completely dry creek bed, or one so inundated as to support season has resulted in more than 400 separate encounters during rafting. the study period. Our two study sites inside the Barton Creek greenbelt are within several miles of each other. Gerrhonotus reside in favorable habitat along much of the contiguous trail, but certain stretches contain much higher lizard densities affording consistent observation. Our initial perception of overabundant habitat became attuned to specific microhabitat features correlated with frequent sightings. Nonetheless, we believe our bias towards favored observation sites has precluded more extensive exploration of other greenbelt sections that are probably just as supportive.

Niche

Tree communities are dominated by various species of oak (Quercus sp.) and the ubiquitous juniper (Juniperus sp.), known locally as cedar. We have very few observations of Gerrhonotus on cedar, and suspect the oils and resins it contains to be noxious to them. Texas Alligator Lizard, Gerrhonotus infernalis, from Travis County, TX. Photo by John The abundance of herbaceous undergrowth (Nandina and Legustrum Williams. sp.) allows these lizards to bask in preferred dappled sunlight, where their cryptic coloration makes them difficult to detect. The As initially fortuitous encounters with Gerrhonotus evolved into an proximity of extensive limestone karst outcrops with innumerable increasingly intimate knowledge of its habits and predictable activity fissures, and the relatively undisturbed microhabitat combine to patterns, the unique adaptation of their physiologic, morphologic, make these study sites especially productive. The typically gentle and behavioral attributes to the specific habitat parameters of the downslope of extensive rock outcrops to the adjoining trail allows Travis County greenbelt became more apparent. Conversations SWCHR Bulletin 4 Winter 2012

for adequate soil drainage; Gerrhonotus is not a riparian species. 250 m in that time span. The strong arboreal tendencies of this species might allow for considerably greater territorial wanderings, Gerrhonotus displays a definite bimodal seasonal activity pattern in however, and would by their very nature make direct observation Travis County, with peak activity occurring during late September extremely difficult. through mid November, followed closely by March through late May. The elongated body and tail, along with the variegated pattern of subdued browns and grays, makes these lizards exceedingly difficult The fall peak correlates with breeding, and pairs are sometimes to detect amongst their favored microhabitat: the extensive found in close proximity at this time (we have witnessed apparent network of horizontal and obliquely oriented small branches of live courting behavior, but not actual copulation). Gravid females can and dead trees and brush, often arranged in a visually challenging be found with some regularity in late March/early April; their body orientation of repeating patterns that allow the lizard to virtually girth contrasts with the thin habitus of emergent nongravid females blend in with its background. (repeated observations of individuals over several months affirm their gravida status). We suspect brooding females utilize limestone fissures and hollow trees, as persistent searches under surface objects during late spring have not revealed nests. Consistent observations of long term captives maintained under natural daylight cycles confirm their fall breeding and spring gestation patterns.

Hatchlings are rarely found, most likely due to utilization of the leaf litter microhabitat that allows their tan and dark brown cross- banding to render them nearly invisible. We have occasionally uncovered them under rocks with fairly moist substrate, as well as perched on leafy stalks of various undergrowth. We once observed three newly hatched specimens together on a vine covered oak stump adjacent to a limestone outcrop, suggesting the nest (and brooding female) were in the immediate vicinity.

Gerrhonotus are observed every month of the year under suitable conditions. They can be seen with some regularity on mild winter days when ambient temperatures approach 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Gerrhonotus infernalis, Austin Greenbelt, Travis County, TX. Though not typically At such times, they are invariably seen in limestone hibernacula with found on the ground, the coloration helps them blend in with the leaf litter. Photo head and foreparts partially exposed to sunlight; we have never seen by John Williams. an individual fully exposed during winter months. As consistently warmer temperatures allow for effective thermoregulation, the lizards can be found fully exposed on rock faces and the trees Despite our hard-earned ability to detect these lizards when other and brush immediately adjacent to them. They appear to be not persons not familiar with them cannot, we are repeatedly humbled completely reliant upon these hibernacula as very few individuals by the specimens we miss when the searched bush or vine tangle were observed in thick brush piles without nearby rocky outcrops. is viewed from a different angle. The efficacy of cryptosis in The vast majority of winter and early spring observations, however, Gerrhonotus cannot be overstated. occur among the karstic fissures. We have only once observed feeding in the field, when a large male The onset of summer in Austin heralds a marked decline in field was found partially suspended in a vine tangle while maneuvering to observations. Gerrhonotus are not particularly heat tolerant, and grasp a large unidentified insect. Another observation of a female are rarely found when ambient temperatures exceed 85 degrees found seven feet above ground on an oak branch (several days after Fahrenheit. During the often prolonged droughts common to discovery in a nearby crevice) afforded us the opportunity to test the Hill Country, even early morning or late evening searches are feeding response in the field. We introduced a small roach onto unproductive. However, individuals will sometimes emerge after a the branch, and despite our immediate proximity (the lizard had significant summer rain. These respites afford an opportunity to maintained eye contact with us since discovery), it rapidly grasped assess an animal’s overall condition and potential for fall breeding. and consumed its prey with apparent disregard for us.

Territorial ranges for these lizards are unknown, but presumed In captivity Gerrhonotus readily consume a wide variety of small given their overall sedentary nature. One particular adult invertebrates, especially large orthopterans and arachnids. One female was found on three consecutive Fridays in early spring: the captive female had no apparent difficulty in consuming two 4-5 inch first and third observations were in her hibernaculum crevice, and Scolopendra simultaneously, despite the frantic writhing and biting the second when discovered on the ground approximately 125 exhibited by these formidable arthropods. They eagerly consume m from that site. This lizard was readily identifiable by her short small lizards and snakes (Anolis, Sceloporus, Scincella, Tantilla, Virginia), regenerated tail and body markings, and conceivably covered at least and we suspect they are important predators of bird eggs and hatchlings. Adult specimens are not infrequently found coiled in SWCHR Bulletin 5 Winter 2012

close proximity to the nests of the wren (Thyrothorus sp.). Although more terrestrial pattern for Gerrhonotus. we have not observed field predation upon Gerrhonotus, numerous ophidian species that inhabit the same microhabitat probably do Of interest are the observed springtime arboreal behaviors of so regularly. An event related to us by a person well versed in local Thamnophis cyrtopsis and T. proximans, both predominantly terrestrial natural history described a Salvadora attempting to predate a lizard serpents. They are found regularly in branches several feet above that had grasped its own tail in its effort to thwart the snake. The ground during our search for Gerrhonotus, but only during spring. predilection of these lizards to utilize concealed understory brush These snakes probably share a minimal common prey base with would appear to minimize predation from local raptors and other Gerrhonotus, and might predate juvenile and subadult lizards. More birds; however, the extensive use of these same sites by the squirrels likely, however, they are afforded the same benefits of concealed (Sciurus sp.) make these potentially important predators. basking and predator evasion upon emergence from brumation.

Gerrhonotus are essentially diurnal, yet we know of anecdotal reports Crypsis of crepuscular activity in the more xeric portions of their range. We have found individuals abroad at dusk during late spring and Gerrhonotus are truly cryptic masters in their rocky woodland early summer, and suspect these animals spend the night on their habitat. It is truly humbling and at the same time frustrating to brush perches. Study of their behavioral adaptations to more look directly into a brush pile and strain to see the lizard spotted by extreme xeric conditions, such as in the Chihauhuan desert of Val your field partner only a few feet away! Occasionally it is the glint Verde County, might be quite revealing. of sunlight reflecting a reddish hue on the animal’s tail amongst a tangle of vines that gives it away; other times the faintest disruption Arboreality of a silhouetted tree branch that turns almost miraculously into the elongated form of a large adult that was only moments ago Over 95% of our seasonally active Gerrhonotus observations have completely invisible. In every instance, however, the lizard sees been above ground, ranging in height from several inches to more than 20 feet. The majority of adult and subadult sightings are between 3-5 feet elevation, usually on horizontal or obliquely oriented branches of less than 3 cm diameter. Subadults seem to favor the deeper recesses of thick bushes such as Nandina, while adults frequently utilize comparatively more open sites. They especially favor situations with numerous similar sized branches, so as to further aid their formidable crypsis.

The elongated body is accentuated by an effectively prehensile tail. When picked up in the field, most specimens attempt to wrap their tail (if not significantly shortened) around one’s fingers. Field and captive observations support a strong role in arboreal maneuverability. Unlike other lizards, Gerrhonotus are not inclined to self autotomize (under gentle handling, we have never witnessed it in the field); even the liberal feces-smearing and biting behavior of Elgaria appears greatly attenuated in this species. Our field records suggest an overall tail regeneration rate in adults of approximately 60%. Significant tail shortening does not appear to negatively In situ photograph from the Austin Greenbelt, Travis County, TX of a G. infernalis affect climbing, however, as such specimens have often been found demonstrating crypsis. Photo by John Williams. at great heights. The contributing role of specialized foot and digit scalation is currently under study (Greene, pers. communication). you first, as evidenced by the direct eye contact one makes with an already observant animal. Clearly, the lizard has already seen you It is our belief that Gerrhonotus in our area rely on an extensive when you begin to approach it, and yet very rarely does the animal arboreal network that provides mobility in herbaceous structures move at this point. Instead, a typical encounter allows such close with seasonally plentiful prey base in the form of insects, other approach as to be almost completely upon it before a response (if lizards, bird eggs and nestlings, but are also supremely suited to any) is elicited. In most instances this is so extreme as to allow maximize their elongated body form for effective camouflage. So gentle grasping of the lizard—no sudden lunging or maneuvering well suited are these lizards to this particular microhabitat, that we as is required for most other native saurians. This passive response have many observations of individuals in branches directly overlying is so strongly ingrained that it is the rule, rather than the exception, the very busy greenbelt trail despite heavy pedestrian, cyclist, and pet that specimens discovered in rock crevices that have merely to (canine) traffic. The animals always appeared alert yet at ease, with recede a few inches to evade capture usually allow manipulation of none of the typical skittish behavior of their Sceloporus congeners a stick behind them to force expulsion into the open. How then sometimes found only a few feet away. In this regard they appear can an animal so seemingly impervious to the visual cues of an similar in niche to the Mexican Abronia. Personal observations of approaching potential predator survive? colleagues studying these lizards in the Chipinqua Mountains of Nuevo Leon, at a much higher elevation, seem to support a much SWCHR Bulletin 6 Winter 2012

Gerrhonotus are infrequently found on the ground in our study area, roles of lizard saliva in egg brooding females. Given the formidable despite our initial attempts to extrapolate field success with Elgaria armamentarium of phenotypic and behavioral attributes Gerrhonotus by searching exclusively under ground cover. As in their arboreal displays, we feel confident it will grace the Texas Hill Country for niche, their cryptic coloration serves them well amongst the dead a long time to come. oak leaves and other debris of the forest floor. When discovered in the open, most specimens typically freeze—it is often only the Works Cited perceived gentle movement at one’s feet that alerts the observer to the lizard’s presence. When motivated, these animals engage in a Good, D.A. 1994. Species limits in the genus Gerrhonotus (Squamata: serpentine evasive maneuver that can be quite effective in evading Anguidae). Herpetological Monographs 8: 180-202. capture. In contrast, lizards found elevated in trees or brush have extremely attenuated flight response, suggesting that their behavioral response is strongly influenced by these specific physical parameters. Specimens captured from karstic fissures seem to rely Feeding Observations of Captive Regal upon crypsis instead of receding to evade capture. Ringneck Snakes, Diadophis punctatus regalis Further observations would seem to equate discovery and gentle (Serpentes: Colubridae) handling with an effective predation event. Lizards were frequently handled in the early years of our research to document gender, by Andy O’Connor overall health, and gravidity. It became increasingly apparent that, over time, these individuals would no longer be easily found at their I maintained two regal ringneck snakes in captivity, each preferred basking sites. In contrast, animals that were observed in a approximately 23.5 inches long and of unknown weight. In the comparatively unobtrusive manner (i.e., from several yards instead 6 and a half months I had these snakes in my possession, their of just feet away) would often remain at that site on subsequent diet consisted of mostly lizards including 1 desert night lizard visits. There appears to be some distance parameter, short of (Xantusia vigilis), neonate and adult western banded geckos (Coleonyx actual physical contact, that defines a disturbance to the animal’s variegatus), 1 neonate northern alligator lizard (Elgaria coerulea), 2 sense of nondetection. neonate and 2 subadult side blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana), 1 subadult sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus graciosus), 10 neonate western Urbanization adaptability fence lizards (Sceloporus occidentalis), and 1 non-native long tailed grass lizard (Takydromus sexlineatus). Snakes offered included neonate Gerrhonotus are famous in the Austin area for their seemingly random northwestern garter snakes (Thamnophis ordinoides), common garter occurrence in suburban backyards, back roads, even parking lots snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis), live and dead-on-road (DOR) frozen/ with surrounding woods. Most reported sightings appear in the thawed great basin gopher snakes (Pituophis catenifer), 1 DOR fall, in keeping with the peak activity we have noted in the field. frozen/thawed northern pacific rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus), Sometimes specimens turn up in numbers where previously 1 DOR frozen/thawed western racer (Coluber constrictor), and unsuspected, as in the case of five individuals found one week in various-sized live and DOR frozen/thawed night snakes (Hypsiglena October on a small wooded road bordered by major traffic routes. torquata). One stillborn frozen/thawed night snake was consumed, which was the only snake consumed by either ringneck. The Barton Creek greenbelt receives hundreds of thousands of visitors yearly, drawn to the trails that support hiking, bicycling, pet exercising, and other sundry recreational uses. Because of its generally favorable climate, a substantial transient population resides in Austin, and a significant number of these persons reside (at least temporarily) in the greenbelt. Defacement of rock, trash deposition, random wood cutting and gathering have all affected the greenbelt at various times. An apparent city-driven effort to remove brush from some sections of the greenbelt has negatively affected Gerrhonotus habitat to some degree. For the most part, however, Austin residents seem to take pride in this natural heritage that helps define the city. Greenbelt trail users appear genuinely interested in our response to queries regarding deliberate searching of trees and brush along the trailside.

The amount of potential Gerrhonotus habitat in the greenbelt is quite overwhelming. It would take a concerted effort by a great many field workers well versed in this species particular habits to fully expand our knowledge of nocturnal activity, territorial Regal ringneck snake, Diadophis punctatus regalis, envenomating a western banded ranges, detailed elevational parameters, brooding sites, intra- and gecko, Coleonyx variegatus. Photo by Andy O’Connor. interspecific interactions, and potential antifungal/antibacterial SWCHR Bulletin 7 Winter 2012

There was a clear and obvious predatory reaction to most lizards. The most thoroughly documented feeding I have with video is on Most snakes received little, if any, interest except an occasional an adult banded gecko. As the video shows, from the first bite to tongue flick, one or two twitches of the head, and following the the gecko being fully swallowed took over an hour and 15 minutes. potential prey item around for a few minutes. The original bite occurred on a hind leg, and the snake actually “swallowed” the entire leg to the hip almost immediately. The The regal ringnecks were most active in the late evening hours, gecko appeared to struggle at full strength only for a minute or although daytime activity was common, including climbing, basking, two. The next half hour was a pattern of 3-5 minutes of resting and exploring the enclosures. These behaviors, along with their followed by struggling attempts to escape that seemed weaker each dietary preference, differ from most other reports of these snakes time. After the first half hour, the gecko was no longer able to in captivity. I believe a parasite load may have had some effect on attempt to walk, but seemed to have labored breathing and would their behavior and diet, although I also strongly believe that the occasionally gape its mouth as if trying to take a deep breath. After locale from which they were collected may happen to be a lizard- approximately 40 minutes, the gecko was dead, and the snake held eating population, as opposed to ophiophagous as the species is on for an additional 7-10 minutes before trying to swallow the well documented to be. Perhaps smaller sympatric species may have snake from its current grip at the back leg. After about 10 minutes been consumed more readily such as smaller night snakes, ground the snake gave up, backed off the gecko’s leg, and searched for its snakes (Sonora semiannulata), shovelnose snakes (Chionactis occipitalis), head for the next few minutes. The snake seemed slowed down; and blackhead snakes (Tantilla sp.), although a small-enough live perhaps the hunt and holding the gecko in place expended a lot of night snake received little if any reaction from both snakes. energy, and the swallowing process took almost 30 minutes.

Venom reaction during feeding

Most of the lizards consumed were fairly small prey items, and while it is possible that blunt force played a part in death, there seemed to be reactions to venom most of the time. The most-witnessed feedings occurred with the fence lizards and banded geckos—many of the other prey items were eaten overnight. The fence lizards were usually grasped by a back leg or the flank in between the front and hind legs and appeared to die within 10 minutes, appearing to simply fall asleep. The neonate banded geckos experienced similar fates, although one gecko was bitten on the hind leg and then released a few minutes later when the snake was spooked by me moving in my chair while observing. The gecko was still alive, although it appeared paralyzed at the hips, as it was dragging itself with its front legs. At this point the snake grabbed the gecko by the head and started consuming it before the gecko appeared to have succumbed to the venom.

At this point, the snake has nearly completely swallowed the gecko. Photo by Andy O’Connor.

The snake that ate more often appeared healthy, although slightly underweight, and the other snake which only ate for me on 4 occasions in 6 months was very underweight and had what I would describe as lumps under the skin that I believe indicated parasitism. It had 2 small lumps when originally captured, and by the time the snake died it had 8 or 9 and one was elongated, nearly an inch long (roughly 4% of the animal’s total length). Strangely, the healthier, more consistent snake died first, 5 days after eating the adult banded gecko. The thinner snake died 3 days later. I believe their husbandry was not perfect, but was not the cause of their deaths and that parasites either directly or indirectly (by loss of appetite and energy) were the cause. I wish it would have been feasible to make a veterinary visit, but with the species being uncommon in captivity, and their seemingly delicate build, I am not sure what the Once the lizard was sufficiently immobilized, the snake began swallowing the gecko local reptile vet could have done beyond general lab work. headfirst. Photo by Andy O’Connor. I am not currently working with regal ringnecks but enjoyed this brief opportunity to observe their feeding habits. Although the behaviors exhibited occurred in a captive environment and should SWCHR Bulletin 8 Winter 2012

be considered in context, they are outside of the commonly Habitat observed behaviors for this species of snake and are an indication that more studies on the diet and activity patterns could reveal new Texas horned lizards are found in many different types of habitat information. and prefer rocky, sandy or loamy soils. They prefer scant vegetation and generally flat topography. These are strictly diurnal lizards. On many occasions I have found horned lizards in blackbrush (Coleogyne sp.) and small brush off the ground as a place to spend the night. Notes on Natural History and Captive They also climb into brush to escape the searing surface heat from the midday sun. I have found them most active in the morning and Maintenance of the Texas Horned Lizard, late afternoon, usually seeking a sheltered cool or shady spot during Phrynosoma cornutum the heat of the day. Most of my observations have been on Texas (Lacertilia: Phrynosomatidae) county roads composed of dirt or caliche. Habits by Lou Hamby One does not mention Texas horned lizards without bringing up Most horned lizard species are well represented in the fossil record their infamous ability to eject blood out of their eyes. This is a from the Pleistocene epoch onward. The Texas horned lizard, defensive function, and often when captured the horned lizard will Phryonosoma cornutum, is found slightly earlier, starting in the eject blood. These lizards also depend on their ability to blend in upper Pliocene 3 million years ago (Pianka and Hodges). with their background and instead of running, will often crouch and flatten out and blend with the background. They are difficult to Horned lizards generally measure between 60 and 109mm. The see when flattened out. Their “crown” of horns is useful if picked largest Texas horned lizard on record measured just over 7 inches up by a predator. In my opinion one of the worst enemies of (184mm) from tip of snout to tip of tail (Brown and Lucchino the Texas horned lizard is the roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus). I 1972). have seen roadrunners with horned lizards in their bills many times. Horned lizard coloration varies from yellow, brown, light tan, or red and variations depending on the substrate on which they are found. The male Texas horned lizard below was captured, photographed as a voucher for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), and subsequently released.

Harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex sp.) mound. Photo by Keith Birkemeyer, Probest.com.

Diet

Harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex sp.) are one of the more prevalent food requirements for the Texas horned lizard. These ants are responsible for the familiar large “ant piles” with all plants removed from around their nests, resulting in a large bare spot. It is thought by biologists that the decline in the harvester ant population may be a contributor to the Texas horned lizard’s diminishing numbers. Some beetles, insects, and other small spiders and moths are also taken. There have also been observations of some horned lizards eating small amounts of vegetation. I have personally observed this with Coast horned lizards (Phrynosoma coronatum), but I suspect Texas Male Texas horned lizard, La Salle County, TX. The “eyed” pattern on the back is horned lizards also take in small amounts, and this may be a way of typical, but this individual is of exceptional color. Photo by Lou Hamby. utilizing leafy vegetation to meet hydration requirements. Horned SWCHR Bulletin 9 Winter 2012 lizards are not as active as other lizards at lower temperatures, and bulge and have a more slender, evenly contoured tail all the way to they usually require higher temperatures before they eat compared to the tip, without the widened bulge on the sides. Their femoral pores other lizards. My personal “sweet spot” for horned lizard observation are smaller and less noticeable. is ambient temperatures around 85-88 degrees Fahrenheit. Breeding Below are the results of a study conducted on ant requirements of various horned lizards. The diet of the Texas horned lizard (3rd on After emergence from hibernation, males began to seek out females. the list) is 61% ants by volume. Males may be aggressive towards one another, especially when two males are trying to court one female. Mark Brock from Phrynosoma. org captured this aggression on video and posted it to the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=oWac0BV5-WY

By late May or early June one often will observe gravid females. Eggs are deposited in shallow cavities in front of burrows, or under rocks. This usually coincides with moisture from spring rains. The eggs are covered up by the female and usually hatch within 50 days.

Captive Care Information

Texas horned lizards are protected in Texas. No one should keep these as captives unless for scientific study and after securing permission from TPWD. The following is captive information for those who may be involved with a study or possibly will be in the future.

Feeding Ant requirements of horned lizards by species. Table courtesy Phrynosoma.org. 60-70% of the diet for captives needs to be ants. I have been involved with horned lizards as far back as the early 1970s and I can assure Hydration you that horned lizards need ants for their health and longevity. As a contributor to Phrynosoma.org, I have interfaced with many of the Texas horned lizards require water. Horned lizards in the wild use experts in captive care of horned lizard species, and using crickets their whole body as a collection surface in rain, or when dew forms (Acheta domestica and similar species) and other insects exclusively on their body. They tip their bodies in such a way that they are for horned lizards (instead of ants) is almost always going to cause able to translate the droplets to their mouths to get the much-needed serious problems with respect to the overall health and vitality of a liquid. This is known as “rain harvesting,” a term coined by horned horned lizard. Wax worms (Galleria mellonella) and ¼-inch crickets lizard enthusiast and author Wade Sherbrooke. can be included sparingly. Also, using a Zoomed “Bug Napper,” a device put out at night, allows for wild caught moths and other wild Hibernation insects to be incorporated into their diet. But for the most part, one must provide ants. If you are not willing to do this, please don’t ever Hibernation usually takes place in late September and October. consider keeping a horned lizard no matter your level of experience. Usually only babies are observed active in September. Certainly this is predicated on the temperature drop we get in Texas. Emergence I suggest if you are involved in a program you should contact some of adults is usually in April to May. I personally have seen my first of the experts at TWPD, or the Horned Lizard Conservation Society, horned lizard of the year in Medina County on or about April 15th or Phrynosoma.org. As a member of SWCHR I am also available. for several years in a row (though not the last two years). More northern areas of Texas may experience a later emergence due to cooler temperatures during the same time period.

Determining Sex

Sexing horned lizards is generally easiest when they are older (at least 3-5 months old). With males, there is a row of enlarged femoral pores lining the underside of each leg. Sometimes, especially with the older males, there may be a waxy substance secreted from the pores. There is a wide hemipenal bulge on both sides of the base of This is an absolute must for anyone who keeps horned lizards. It is a homemade the male’s tail. In addition, males have two enlarged postanal scales apparatus consisting of a vacuum cleaner (Dirt Devil) on a PVC pipe for collecting aft of the vent opening. Female horned lizards lack the hemipenal ants. Photo by Lou Hamby. SWCHR Bulletin 10 Winter 2012

The next photograph is an ant feeder that anyone who is serious stick their noses down through the mesh to get the water they need. about horned lizards should acquire or make. Note the ants are put I have used this bowl arrangement with several species of horned in the bottom of a bowl-like arrangement and they climb up the lizards. stick in the middle but can’t get out of the bowl. This way they don’t threaten the horned lizards by overwhelming them numerically and the horned lizards graze on the ants as they pop up and down the stick. It is a very slick way of feeding horned lizards; much better than throwing a large number of ants into the enclosure at one time. It is also wise to refrigerate the ants for 10 or 15 minutes before feeding, as they move slower and are less threatening.

A custom mesh insert for water dishes allows horned lizards to drink without falling in. Photo by Lou Hamby.

I usually hydrate horned lizards twice a week. This includes using the bowl previously mentioned and/or an eye dropper if they will take it, or spraying water on the rocks. If one of the rocks has some divots in it, they seem to find those little moisture spots quickly. Do not, I repeat do not give them regular tap water if your water has fluoride or other chemicals in it!

If you have an indoor-housed Texas horned lizard, it is imperative you have a sun cage aside from the indoor cage so the lizard can get An example of an ant feeder for more regimented dispensation of ants to horned regular sunlight occasionally. Even short stints in regular sunlight lizards. Photo by Jeff Judd. are important to overall health. Covering half the cage with special animal-proof shade cloth is a good idea—you get semi-shade on a hot day and the lizards often use that side of the cage. If you have Enclosure an outside enclosure, be sure it is “varmint” proof. I personally like my outside cages on wheels. I wheel them into the garage at night, The best choice is an outside enclosure designed to be off the and wheel them out in the morning. Whatever you do, be cognizant ground where fire ants cannot get in. If you must have a horned of the sun and the location of your cage. I use the mountain laurel lizard in house, a 50 gallon tank would be the minimum for two on the side of my driveway to give shade, especially around 2 or 3 or three lizards. I prefer a ZooMed 10.0 UVB fluorescent over o’clock in the afternoon when it really warms up! some of the stronger UVB spot or basking bulbs. I usually have my fluorescent set about 16-17” off the substrate. For heat, I use regular spot bulbs from the hardware store; usually a 100-watt and a 50-watt arranged roughly side by side, with no light on the cool half side of the cage. Horned lizards can bask and thermoregulate their body temperatures in a well-designed enclosure, even when temperatures are 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more on the hot side. During the summer I usually run the light cycle for 12 hours. Be careful if you are in a warm climate and for some reason keep your lizard in a garage; it will certainly cook!

Hardware store “play sand” has always been a cheap and adequate substrate for indoor caging. I recommend at least 4 to 6 inches of sand.

In captivity horned lizards will readily take water from a dropper, spray on the rocks in their cage, or even from a bowl. The photograph Homemade cage on casters to facilitate movement between sun and shade. Photo by below shows a bowl arrangement I came up with years ago and use Lou Hamby. for nearly all my lizards. They are not threatened by the water but SWCHR Bulletin 11 Winter 2012

Texas Horned Lizard (or Other Reptile Species) Rescue

If you should ever need to surrender a horned lizard, I know of no one more qualified to take a rescue than my good friend Mike Comella. He has been practicing reptile rescue medicine and rehabalitation for a long time, and a quick overnight shipment to his Wichita Falls rescue facility will certainly save the animal’s life. Frankly, most general-practice veterinarians do not have much experience or have a very good track record when it comes to reptiles, let alone horned lizards. I support the idea of permitting adoptions of endangered reptiles such as Texas horned lizards which were taken out of the wild and should not be put back. Often some well-meaning person will capture a horned lizard and bring it home, not feed it correctly or Book Review: A Field Guide to Oklahoma’s have any idea how to take care of it. They also don’t realize horned lizards are protected in Texas and other states where they occur. Amphibians and Reptiles, 3d ed. TPWD would also do well to contact Mike if they need to adopt out by Greg and Lynnette Sievert a horned lizard taken from the wild in such situations. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation: Oklahoma City, 2011. Softcover, spiral-bound. 211 pp. $25. ISBN 978-0-615-42788-1 I hope that in this brief musing I have pointed out, above all else, the difficulty in keeping these lizards. Even experts who deal with lizards Review by Chris McMartin on a regular basis have found great trouble with providing proper husbandry. They are best left in nature where they belong! Oklahoma is an often-overlooked herping opportunity, featuring 58 amphibian and 99 reptile species and subspecies based on current taxonomy. However, growing up in the state, I never had a really good state-specific field guide. I spent countless hours studying Robert Webb’s seminal Reptiles of Oklahoma published by the University of Oklahoma in 1970. Much of that book consists of dichotomous keys (nothing against those, but I’ve always viewed those as more suited to museum-specimen study) and lists of voucher specimens, along with some enlightening discussion on contemporary history of field herpetology and descriptions of type specimens collected in Oklahoma (and the difficulties in ascertaining locality based on now- defunct place names). While I find such information fascinating, it doesn’t exactly make for a field guide in the practical sense. On the other hand, after I had moved from the state, several attempts at field guides hit the market, but they largely seemed to beat the opposite end of the spectrum—a few pictures of the most commonly-encountered species, but not enough information in species accounts to satiate those with more than a casual interest in the state’s herpetofauna.

You can imagine my excitement when earlier this year, while passing Study of a Texas horned lizard head highlighting scalation. Photo by Lou Hamby. through the state, I serendipitously discovered the Sieverts’ recent endeavor to fill this gap between overly-technical and natural-history- deficient guides to Oklahoma amphibians and reptiles. Granted, Works Cited the guide has existed in two previous editions dating back to 1996, Brown, T.L. & R. V. Lucchino. “A record sized specimen of the but I had little knowledge of them, nor had any need to seek them Texas Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma cornutum).” Texas Journal of Science out, having not herped extensively in the state since leaving home XXIV(3): 353-354, 1972. many years ago. From clues peppered throughout the text, changes in this edition include the elimination of certain species from the Pianka, Eric R. and Wendy L. Hodges. “Horned Lizards.” Reptiles state’s herpetofaunal roster and inclusion of species described since 6(6): 48-63, 1998. publication of the previous editions. In another happy circumstance, I currently live in Kansas where the Sieverts also reside, offering the Sherbrooke, Wade C. “Rain-Harvesting in a Lizard, Phrynosoma opportunity to discuss this guide with them briefly during the most cornutum: Behavior and Integumental Morphology.” Journal of recent annual meeting of the Kansas Herpetological Society. Herpetology 24:302-308, 1990. Let me first describe what catches one’s eye upon first beholding this book. In a welcome departure from standard paperback guides, SWCHR Bulletin 12 Winter 2012 A Field Guide to Oklahoma’s Amphibians and Reptiles is spiral-bound. size, appearance, similar species, food, habitat, and general notes. While the casual observer viewing this book on a museum gift-shop’s Some species are afforded a two-page spread, with the additional shelf might initially foresee difficulty in aligning the book with other space used for additional photographs highlighting ontogenetic and/ volumes in their personal library, it is clear indication this book is or population color variation or field marks for the species. Each not meant to languish on a shelf—it is designed for practical field order of herpetofauna gets a brief introduction covering general use. The spiral binding allows the book to lay flat, with the pages characteristics of the order. In addition, each order is identified in of interest readily accessible. Anyone who has attempted to use a the book with color-coded tabs, making it easier to flip quickly to the field guide in one hand to identify a squirming specimen in the other appropriate section of the book. hand can surely appreciate this feature. The pages are glossy which is common to many field guides and helps resist (to an extent) stains For some species, a brief explanation of what the scientific names potentially encountered in field use. mean is given, which is nice, but in some cases there are discrepancies which may be artifacts missed during edition updates (e.g. the Less apparent, the background image on the cover is of what appears explanation for “crepitans” is given under accounts for both cricket to be rattlesnake skin—and it is textured in mild relief such that you frog species, Acris crepitans and A. blanchardi). There is also some can feel the keeled scales. While not of practical use in the field, it redundancy in the accounts for closely-related species, often verbatim adds a unique touch of style to the cover. notes within the accounts. An avid reader such as me may have wished the redundant info to have been replaced with diagnostic The inside front cover features a ruler in both inches and centimeters, text, more in-depth natural history notes, or additional photographs. almost a given for inclusion in a field guide. Both inside covers However, conferring with the authors reminded me that many people display an outline map of the state with all counties labeled. This do not read field guides cover-to-cover and may not read all species is handy, but I would have preferred one cover to show the county accounts, so the information is repeated to ensure important species map and the other cover to display different information, such as a attributes are not missed. simplified depiction of the state’s ecoregions similar to the habitat- type map found on page vi, or perhaps a quick-reference list of state Speaking of photographs, they are generally good. With few threatened species/species of special concern. exceptions, they appear to be standard, posed “field guide” type shots, not that this is problematic. New for this edition are the The book opens with a brief introduction including discussion on inclusion of tadpole photographs where those species are distinct Oklahoma’s confluence of several habitat types, followed by an in their larval form. No credits are listed for individual photos, but explanation of how the range maps were derived. The maps err on Greg Sievert (the senior author) took all photographs for the guide, the side of caution, in the sense that while county records exist for including the cover shots. It took him many years to do so—locating some species, if they have not been found since the first instance or and photographing all extant species in the state was no small feat! no recent records exist, that county is no longer considered within a species’ range—hence, the maps presented are often much more The range maps depict county lines which are extremely helpful in conservative than previous guides’ efforts. This is helpful for field narrowing down both the likely identification of a species in hand, herpers who wish to explore locales with higher probability of success or determining which species are likely to be found if conducting a in finding target species. Those who are interested in finding new survey of a particular county. The only complaint I have for the range county records, or confirming old ones, will probably be conducting maps is that they use a single color for a species, with no breakout of more extensive research and will discover relevant historical vouchers subspecies; the reader is left to infer from the text where individual on their own (such as through Webb’s book, in the case of reptiles). subspecies may be encountered. This was a conscious decision at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation level, as they Additionally, there is a brief discussion of laws pertaining to assumed the average reader would probably not be concerned with Oklahoma amphibians and reptiles in the opening pages. However, subspecies. This may be remedied in the next edition of the guide. the text says Species of Special Concern “should not” be taken from the wild, yet in the applicable individual species accounts it is more Rounding out the book are a short glossary and bibliography. No proscriptive, saying they “may not” be taken. This may be a simple index is included, but would be of little use anyway given the simple editorial oversight but can confuse readers, especially those wishing to layout of the book. work with such species (though the authors do recommend checking with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation for the All told, the concerns mentioned here are very minor. This guide latest regulations). A better approach would be to expand the section is not only a great addition for any state/regionally specific library, covering legal concerns and omit it from the individual accounts. but the utility of the spiral binding ensures it stands out in its genre as being extremely functional in actual field herping conditions. I The final section before acknowledgments and the species accounts recently learned a fourth edition is in the works, which will correct deals with scientific and common names as well as some background some of the errors noted as well as add new county records; no on taxonomic changes and the ensuing debate. The authors explain anticipated date of publication has been set but it promises to their rationale for sticking with more “traditional” names, both build upon this successful lineage of Oklahoma guides. For news scientific and common. on the fourth edition and where to buy the current edition, and to submit updates such as errors in need of correction or new county Of course, the meat of the book consists of the individual species records, the Sieverts have posted a page to their site at Emporia State accounts. Each species is dedicated at least one page, which includes University, http://academic.emporia.edu/sievertg/book.htm. a couple of photographs, a range map, and textual description of SWCHR CODE OF ETHICS

As a member of the Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research, I subscribe to the Association’s Code of Ethics.

Field activities should limit the impact on natural habitats, replacing all cover objects, not tearing apart rocks or logs and refraining from the use of gasoline or other toxic materials.

Catch and release coupled with photography and the limited take of non-protected species for personal study or breeding use is permitted. The commercial take and sale of wild-caught animals is not acceptable.

Collecting practices should respect landowner rights, including but not limited to securing permission for land entry and the packing out of all personal trash.

Captive-breeding efforts are recognized as a valid means of potentially reducing collection pressures on wild populations and are encouraged.

The release of captive animals including captive-bred animals into the wild is discouraged except under the supervision of trained professionals and in accordance with an accepted species preservation or restocking plan.

The disclosure of exact locality information on public internet forums is discouraged in most circumstances. Locality information posted on public internet forums usually should be restricted to providing the name of the county where the animal was found. When specific locality data is provided ot one in confidence, it should be keptin confidence and should not be abused or shared with others without explicit permission.

Other members of the Association are always to be treated cordially and in a respectful manner.

SWCHR PO BOX 624 SEGUIN TX 78156