Cfreptiles & Amphibians

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Cfreptiles & Amphibians WWW.IRCF.ORG/REPTILESANDAMPHIBIANSJOURNALTABLE OF CONTENTS IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANSIRCF REPTILES • VOL 15,& NAMPHIBIANSO 4 • DEC 2008 •189 26(3):224–225 • JAN 2020 IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS CONSERVATION AND NATURAL HISTORY TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURE ARTICLES Attempted. Chasing Bullsnakes (Pituophis catenifer Autophagy sayi) in Wisconsin: in a Checkered On the Road to Understanding the Ecology and Conservation of the Midwest’s Giant Serpent ...................... Joshua M. Kapfer 190 Keelback,. The Shared History ofFowlea Treeboas (Corallus grenadensis piscator) and Humans on Grenada: (Schneider 1799) A Hypothetical Excursion ............................................................................................................................Robert W. Henderson 198 RESEARCH ARTICLES(Natricidae) from India . The Texas Horned Lizard in Central and Western Texas ....................... Emily Henry, Jason Brewer, Krista Mougey, and Gad Perry 204 . TheRahul Knight V. Anole Deshmukh (Anolis equestris1,) Sagarin Florida A. Deshmukh2, Swapnil A. Badhekar3, and Sanjay Wasake4 .............................................Brian J. Camposano, Kenneth L. Krysko, Kevin M. Enge, Ellen M. Donlan, and Michael Granatosky 212 1Ward No. 4, Teacher Colony, Kalmeshwar Brahmani, Nagpur, Maharashtra-441501, India ([email protected]) CONSERVATION2Kalmeshwar ALERT Brahmani, Nagpur, Maharashtra-441501, India ([email protected]) . World’s3Tiwaskarwadi, Mammals in Crisis Raipur, ............................................................................................................................... Hingana, Nagpur, Maharashtra-441110, India ([email protected]).............................. 220 4Mahajanwadi. More Than near Mammals Shiwaji ............................................................................................................................... Park, Hanuman Temple, Hingana, Nagpur, Maharashtra-441110....................................... ([email protected]) 223 . The “Dow Jones Index” of Biodiversity ........................................................................................................................................... 225 HUSBANDRY . he Checkered KeelbackCaptive Care or of theAsiatic Central Netted Watersnake Dragon ....................................................................................................... (Fowlea of jumping off the ground, Shannon and Plummer in water226 they swim nimbly Tpiscator) is amongPROFILE the most frequently encountered and are capable divers (Daniel 2002). They feed on frog eggs, aquatic snakes and possibly. Kraig Adler: the A mostLifetime plentifulPromoting Herpetology species ................................................................................................ of snake tadpoles, frogs, fish, and Michael occasionally L. Treglia 234 on rodents and birds in India (WhitakerCOMMENTARY and Captain 2005). It inhabits the whole (Whitaker and Captain 2005). Herein we record an unusual of India to Baluchistan. The and Turtles the Have northwestern Been Watching Me ........................................................................................................................ frontier prov- attempt of self-canibbalism Ericor Gangloffautophagous 238 behavior. inces and extends intoBOOK the REVIEW Indo-Chinese region as far east as We rescued a gravid adult female Checkered Keelback Myitkina in upper Burma. Threatened (Smith Amphibians 1943). of the ItWorld is editedvery bycommon S.N. Stuart, M. Hoffmann,(~1,120 J.S. mm Chanson, total N.A. length) Cox, at 0845 h on 5 August 2019 in a in central India (NandeR. andBerridge, Deshmukh P. Ramani, and B.E. 2007; Young ..............................................................................................................Deshmukh seasonal pond near Buddha Robert Vihar, Powell Mahajanwadi,243 Hingana, et al. 2015), where it occurs in and around rivers, ponds, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India (21°08’78.18”N, 78°97’78.18”E) CONSERVATION RESEARCH REPORTS: Summaries of Published Conservation Research Reports ................................. 245 and paddy fields. Extremely NATURAL active,HISTORY these RESEARCH snakes REPORTS are capable: Summaries of Publishedand placed Reports onit Naturalin a cleanHistory .................................transparent plastic 247 jar. The snake was NEWBRIEFS ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 248 EDITORIAL INFORMATION ..................................................................................................................................................... 251 FOCUS ON CONSERVATION: A Project You Can Support ............................................................................................... 252 Front Cover. Shannon Plummer. Back Cover. Michael Kern Totat et velleseque audant mo Totat et velleseque audant mo estibus inveliquo velique rerchil estibus inveliquo velique rerchil erspienimus, quos accullabo. Ilibus erspienimus, quos accullabo. Ilibus aut dolor apicto invere pe dolum aut dolor apicto invere pe dolum fugiatis maionsequat eumque fugiatis maionsequat eumque moditia erere nonsedis ma sectiatur moditia erere nonsedis ma sectia- ma derrovitae voluptam, as quos tur ma derrovitae voluptam, as accullabo. Fig. 1. An apparent attempt at autophagy by a Checkered Keelback (Fowlea piscator) in India. Photograph by Rahul V. Deshmukh. Copyright © 2020. Rahul V. Deshmukh. All rights reserved. 224 IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians ISSN 1098-6324 DESHMUKH ET AL. IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS • 26(3):224–225 • JAN 2020 very aggressive when rescued and continued to strike repeat- the Chicago Herpetological Society 50: 137. edly in the container. At 1000 h the next morning, Sanjay Daniel, J.C. 2002. The Book of Indian Reptiles and Amphibians. Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai, India. Wasake found the snake dead while biting its own tail (Fig. 1). Deshmukh, R.V., S.A. Deshmukh, and S.A. Badhekar. 2015. Rescued records of Autophagy has been occasionally observed in snakes but snakes from Nagpur District, Maharashtra with data on unrecorded species. is rarely documented (Mitchell et al. 1982; Rossi and Rossi Reptile Rap 17: 34–46. 2002; Mattison 2007). Carlino and Pauwels (2015) attrib- Mitchell, J.C., C.A. Pague, and D.L. Early. 1982. Elaphe obsoleta (Black Rat Snake). Autophagy. Herpetological Review 13: 47. uted such behavior to stress generated by captivity, which Mattison, C. 2007. The New Encyclopedia of Snakes. Princeton University Press, appeared to be the case in this instance as well. Princeton, New Jersey, USA. Nande, R. and R. Deshmukh. 2007. Snakes of Amaravati District including Melghat, Maharashtra, with important records of the Indian egg eater, montane trinket Acknowledgements snake and Indian smooth snake. Zoos’ Print Journal 22: 2920–2924. We are grateful to Swapnil Bhondawe, Subham Katgube, Rossi, J. and R. Rossi. 2002. “Hoop snake” found — old wive’s tale may have basis Krutik Bhachale, Ritek Shete, and Sagar Kanfade, who have in fact: Autophagous behavior in a Southern Ring-necked Snake, Diadophis helped us in many ways. punctatus punctatus, Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society 37: 85–86. Smith, M.A. 1943. The Fauna of British India, Ceylon and Burma, Including the Whole of the Indo-Chinese Sub-region. Reptilia and Amphibia. Volume III – Literature Cited Serpentes. Taylor and Francis, London. Carlino, P. and O.S.G. Pauwels. 2015. A case of self-cannibalism in a wild-caught Whitaker, R. and A. Captain. 2004. Snakes of India. The Field Guide. Draco Books, South-Italian Alps Viper, Vipera aspis hugyi (Squamata: Viperidae). Bulletin of Chennai, India. 225.
Recommended publications
  • Cfreptiles & Amphibians
    WWW.IRCF.ORG/REPTILESANDAMPHIBIANSJOURNALTABLE OF CONTENTS IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANSIRCF REPTILES • VOL 15,& NAMPHIBIANSO 4 • DEC 2008 •189 26(3):241–242 • JAN 2020 IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS CONSERVATION AND NATURAL HISTORY TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURE ARTICLES First. Chasing BullsnakesRecord (Pituophis catenifer sayiof) in Wisconsin: Body-bending Behavior On the Road to Understanding the Ecology and Conservation of the Midwest’s Giant Serpent ...................... Joshua M. Kapfer 190 from Asia. The Shared Historyin of Treeboasthe (Corallus Arrow-Headed grenadensis) and Humans on Grenada: Trinket Snake, A Hypothetical Excursion ............................................................................................................................Robert W. Henderson 198 RESEARCHCoelognathus ARTICLES helena nigriangularis . The Texas Horned Lizard in Central and Western Texas ....................... Emily Henry, Jason Brewer, Krista Mougey, and Gad Perry 204 . The Knight Anole (Anolis equestris) in Florida .............................................(Squamata:Brian J. Camposano, Kenneth L. Krysko, Colubridae) Kevin M. Enge, Ellen M. Donlan, and Michael Granatosky 212 CONSERVATION ALERTDinesh Khate1 and Rahul V. Deshmukh2 . World’s Mammals in Crisis ............................................................................................................................................................. 220 1 . MoreWildLife Than Mammals Conservation ..............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Spilotes Pullatus (Tiger Rat Snake Or Clibo)
    UWI The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago Diversity Spilotes pullatus (Tiger Rat Snake or Clibo) Family: Colubridae (Typical Snakes) Order: Squamata (Lizards and Snakes) Class: Reptilia (Reptiles) Fig. 1. Tiger rat snake, Spilotes pullatus. [http://www.theonlinezoo.com/pages/tropical_rat_snake.html, downloaded 18 October 2016] TRAITS. Amongst the largest snakes of the Americas, with a maximum length of 4.2m (Primareptilia, 2016). The usual maximum length is 3m in males and 2.5m in females. They are long and slender with a head that is distinct from the (Trinidad-Tobagoherps, 2016). The coloration of their scales is dependent upon where they are found. However, throughout their wide range the main colour for this species is black with yellowish markings as bands (Fig. 1), diagonals or even netlike patterns (Captivebredreptileforums, 2012). Spilotes pullatus is a non-venomous snake. DISTRIBUTION. Spilotes pullatus can be found from southern Mexico and other countries south to Paraguay, including Trinidad and Tobago (Fig. 2). HABITAT AND ECOLOGY. Can be found in abundance in habitats close to water, mainly forested areas (Littlescorpion, 2016). They are diurnal semi-arboreal snakes, using both trees and UWI The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago Diversity the ground, and can be found basking during the day on branches (Trinidad-Tobagoherps, 2016). They feed on a variety of rodents, bats, eggs and small birds, occasionally on amphibians and reptiles. Unlike other species of non-venomous snakes, their prey are not killed by being coiled around but by biting or holding and pressing against a solid surface or object.
    [Show full text]
  • New Record of Banded Krait Bungarus Fasciatus
    Biological Forum – An International Journal 12(1): 29-32(2020) ISSN No. (Print): 0975-1130 ISSN No. (Online): 2249-3239 New Record of Banded Krait Bungarus fasciatus (Schneider, 1801) from Ranchi (Jharkhand) with its Preying on Checkered Keel-Back Snake Akhlaq Husain (Former Scientist E. Zoological Survey of India) 41, Hari Vihar, Vijay Park, Chakrata Road, Dehra Dun-248001, Uttarakhand, India. (Corresponding author: Akhlaq Husain) (Received 20 February 2020, Accepted 04 April, 2020) (Published by Research Trend, Website: www.researchtrend.net) ABSTRACT: In India Banded Krait Bungarus fasciatus (Schneider, 1801) commonly occurs in north-eastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura) but becomes lesser towards north-west, west, south and south-east (Uttarakhand in north-west; Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh in central India; Maharashtra in west; Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu in south and Andhra Pradesh and Odisha in south-east). In Jharkhand it was recorded from Bokaro and Hazaribagh districts but presently it has been found in Ranchi district also, preying on Checkered Keel-back Snake which is a new record and adds to its distribution in the state. In present communication its synonymy, diagnostic features, altitudinal range, distribution, habitat, food & feeding, breeding, nature & behaviour, bite, venom & treatment, conservation status, threats and preying on Checkered Keel-back Snake are provided. Keywords: New record of Banded Krait from Ranchi with its preying on Checkered Keel-back Snake. INTRODCUCTION The records of distribution of Bungarus fasciatus (Schneider, 1801), the Banded Krait, in Jharkhand State have been from Bokaro and Hoshangabad districts only (Wikipedia; telegraphindia.com). During present study, a Banded Krait, preying on Checkered Keel-back snake (Fowlea piscator, Schneider, 1799), was sighted at Ormanjhi in Ranchi district which was found to be the new find from Ranchi and additional record for the state.
    [Show full text]
  • Notice Warning Concerning Copyright Restrictions P.O
    Publisher of Journal of Herpetology, Herpetological Review, Herpetological Circulars, Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles, and three series of books, Facsimile Reprints in Herpetology, Contributions to Herpetology, and Herpetological Conservation Officers and Editors for 2015-2016 President AARON BAUER Department of Biology Villanova University Villanova, PA 19085, USA President-Elect RICK SHINE School of Biological Sciences University of Sydney Sydney, AUSTRALIA Secretary MARION PREEST Keck Science Department The Claremont Colleges Claremont, CA 91711, USA Treasurer ANN PATERSON Department of Natural Science Williams Baptist College Walnut Ridge, AR 72476, USA Publications Secretary BRECK BARTHOLOMEW Notice warning concerning copyright restrictions P.O. Box 58517 Salt Lake City, UT 84158, USA Immediate Past-President ROBERT ALDRIDGE Saint Louis University St Louis, MO 63013, USA Directors (Class and Category) ROBIN ANDREWS (2018 R) Virginia Polytechnic and State University, USA FRANK BURBRINK (2016 R) College of Staten Island, USA ALISON CREE (2016 Non-US) University of Otago, NEW ZEALAND TONY GAMBLE (2018 Mem. at-Large) University of Minnesota, USA LISA HAZARD (2016 R) Montclair State University, USA KIM LOVICH (2018 Cons) San Diego Zoo Global, USA EMILY TAYLOR (2018 R) California Polytechnic State University, USA GREGORY WATKINS-COLWELL (2016 R) Yale Peabody Mus. of Nat. Hist., USA Trustee GEORGE PISANI University of Kansas, USA Journal of Herpetology PAUL BARTELT, Co-Editor Waldorf College Forest City, IA 50436, USA TIFFANY
    [Show full text]
  • New Records and an Updated Checklist of Amphibians and Snakes From
    ZOBODAT - www.zobodat.at Zoologisch-Botanische Datenbank/Zoological-Botanical Database Digitale Literatur/Digital Literature Zeitschrift/Journal: Bonn zoological Bulletin - früher Bonner Zoologische Beiträge. Jahr/Year: 2021 Band/Volume: 70 Autor(en)/Author(s): Le Dzung Trung, Luong Anh Mai, Pham Cuong The, Phan Tien Quang, Nguyen Son Lan Hung, Ziegler Thomas, Nguyen Truong Quang Artikel/Article: New records and an updated checklist of amphibians and snakes from Tuyen Quang Province, Vietnam 201-219 Bonn zoological Bulletin 70 (1): 201–219 ISSN 2190–7307 2021 · Le D.T. et al. http://www.zoologicalbulletin.de https://doi.org/10.20363/BZB-2021.70.1.201 Research article urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1DF3ECBF-A4B1-4C05-BC76-1E3C772B4637 New records and an updated checklist of amphibians and snakes from Tuyen Quang Province, Vietnam Dzung Trung Le1, Anh Mai Luong2, Cuong The Pham3, Tien Quang Phan4, Son Lan Hung Nguyen5, Thomas Ziegler6 & Truong Quang Nguyen7, * 1 Ministry of Education and Training, 35 Dai Co Viet Road, Hanoi, Vietnam 2, 5 Hanoi National University of Education, 136 Xuan Thuy Road, Hanoi, Vietnam 2, 3, 7 Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Hanoi, Vietnam 6 AG Zoologischer Garten Köln, Riehler Strasse 173, D-50735 Köln, Germany 6 Institut für Zoologie, Universität Köln, Zülpicher Strasse 47b, D-50674 Köln, Germany * Corresponding author: Email: [email protected] 1 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:2C2D01BA-E10E-48C5-AE7B-FB8170B2C7D1 2 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:8F25F198-A0F3-4F30-BE42-9AF3A44E890A 3 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:24C187A9-8D67-4D0E-A171-1885A25B62D7 4 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:555DF82E-F461-4EBC-82FA-FFDABE3BFFF2 5 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:7163AA50-6253-46B7-9536-DE7F8D81A14C 6 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:5716DB92-5FF8-4776-ACC5-BF6FA8C2E1BB 7 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:822872A6-1C40-461F-AA0B-6A20EE06ADBA Abstract.
    [Show full text]
  • Fisheries Order 224.21 Regulations on the Take of Reptiles and Amphibians
    FO-224.21 FISHERIES ORDER Regulations on the Take of Reptiles and Amphibians Order 224.21 By authority conferred on the Natural Resources Commission and the Department of Natural Resources by Part 487 of 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.48701 to 324.48740, ordered on October 8, 2020, the following section(s) of the Fisheries Order shall read effective April 1, 2021, except as otherwise provided: It shall be unlawful to kill, take, trap, possess, buy, sell, offer to buy or sell, barter, or attempt to take, trap, possess or barter any reptile or amphibian from the wild, or the eggs of any reptile or amphibian from the wild, except as provided within this order. GENERAL 1. The following species of reptiles and amphibians shall not be taken from the wild and possessed except as authorized under a permit for scientific research, conservation, or educational purposes from the director: Eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) Queen snake (Regina septemvittata) Grey rat snake (Pantherophis spiloides) [formerly known as the Black rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta)] – exception: albino color variations of this species commonly bred in the pet trade may be possessed without permit Butler’s garter snake (Thamnophis butleri) Smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis) [= Liochlorophis vernalis} Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) Wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) Boreal chorus frog (Pseudarcris maculata) Mink frog (Rana septentrionalis) Pickerel frog (Rana palustris) Fowler’s toad (Bufo [Anaxyrus]fowleri) [= Bufo woodhousii fowleri] Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) Northern two-lined salamander (Eurycea bisleneata) Northern dusky salamander (Desmognathus fuscus) Western lesser siren (Siren intermedia nettingi) 2.
    [Show full text]
  • FEEDING OBSERVATION. the North American Rat Snake (P. Obsoletus) Is a Climber That Forages in Trees for Bird’S Nests and Squirrels (Ernst, & Ernst, 2003)
    Natural History Notes PANTHEROPHIS OBSOLETUS OBSOLETUS (black rat snake): FEEDING OBSERVATION. The North American rat snake (P. obsoletus) is a climber that forages in trees for bird’s nests and squirrels (Ernst, & Ernst, 2003). Although predation on bird’s eggs is common (Ernst & Ernst, 2003), reports of simultaneous predation on a bird’s nest by two foraging P. obsoletus have not been reported. During a visit to Pennsylvania, United States in June 2013, a pair of P. obsoletus with estimated lengths of over 1 m were observed predating on nestlings of the American Robin, Turdus Figure 1. A pair of P. obsoletus predating on chicks migratorius (Harrison, 1975; Baicich, & of the American Robin T. migratorius in Port Mat- Harrison, 1997). The predation event is shown ilda, Pennsylvania, USA. in Fig. 1 and the location of the nest which was situated on the sill above the front door of a property on Kensington Drive, Port Matilda, State College, Pennsylvania (approximate co-ordinates: 40° 47′ 29″ N77° 51′ 31″ W) (is shown in Fig 2). The house was situated in an area with extensive open areas, dense deciduous woodland, network of small ponds and scrub areas and is typical rat snake habitat (Ernst & Ernst, 2003). The snakes were later removed to the surrounding woodland. Further observations of foraging P. obsoletus were observed within the grounds of the property on two additional occasions (12 and 17 June) but it is not known if these were the same individuals. Blouin- Demers and Weatherhead (2001) have suggested that forest clearing has increased the available Figure 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Australasian Journal of Herpetology ISSN 1836-5698 (Print)1 Issue 12, 30 April 2012 ISSN 1836-5779 (Online) Australasian Journal of Herpetology
    Australasian Journal of Herpetology ISSN 1836-5698 (Print)1 Issue 12, 30 April 2012 ISSN 1836-5779 (Online) Australasian Journal of Herpetology Hoser 2012 - Australasian Journal of Herpetology 9:1-64. Available online at www.herp.net Contents on pageCopyright- 2. Kotabi Publishing - All rights reserved 2 Australasian Journal of Herpetology Issue 12, 30 April 2012 Australasian Journal of Herpetology CONTENTS ISSN 1836-5698 (Print) ISSN 1836-5779 (Online) A New Genus of Coral Snake from Japan (Serpentes:Elapidae). Raymond T. Hoser, 3-5. A revision of the Asian Pitvipers, referred to the genus Cryptelytrops Cope, 1860, with the creation of a new genus Adelynhoserea to accommodate six divergent species (Serpentes:Viperidae:Crotalinae). Raymond T. Hoser, 6-8. A division of the South-east Asian Ratsnake genus Coelognathus (Serpentes: Colubridae). Raymond T. Hoser, 9-11. A new genus of Asian Snail-eating Snake (Serpentes:Pareatidae). Raymond T. Hoser, 10-12-15. The dissolution of the genus Rhadinophis Vogt, 1922 (Sepentes:Colubrinae). Raymond T. Hoser, 16-17. Three new species of Stegonotus from New Guinea (Serpentes: Colubridae). Raymond T. Hoser, 18-22. A new genus and new subgenus of snakes from the South African region (Serpentes: Colubridae). Raymond T. Hoser, 23-25. A division of the African Genus Psammophis Boie, 1825 into 4 genera and four further subgenera (Serpentes: Psammophiinae). Raymond T. Hoser, 26-31. A division of the African Tree Viper genus Atheris Cope, 1860 into four subgenera (Serpentes:Viperidae). Raymond T. Hoser, 32-35. A new Subgenus of Giant Snakes (Anaconda) from South America (Serpentes: Boidae). Raymond T. Hoser, 36-39.
    [Show full text]
  • Attempted Predation and Prey Handling of Fish by the Checkered Keelback, Fowlea Piscator (Schneider, 1799) in Nepal (Serpentes: Natricidae)
    Herpetology Notes, volume 13: 1073-1077 (2020) (published online on 28 December 2020) You can’t always get what you want: attempted predation and prey handling of fish by the Checkered Keelback, Fowlea piscator (Schneider, 1799) in Nepal (Serpentes: Natricidae) Kamal Devkota1,*, Ayush Maharjan2, and Hinrich Kaiser3 The Checkered Keelback, Fowlea piscator (Schneider, During photography walks, the second author (AM) 1799)4 has an extensive distribution in South Asia, made serendipitous observations of encountered including Nepal, and throughout Southeast Asia herpetofauna at Taudaha Lake (27.6481°N, 85.2816°E, (Schleich and Kästle, 2002; Shah and Tiwari, 2004; elevation 1287 m), a small (4.63 km2) lake on the Whitaker and Captain, 2004; Das, 2010, 2012). It is a outskirts of Nepal’s capital city, Kathmandu. The fairly common aquatic snake that inhabits areas around lake and the surrounding area have experienced some freshwater bodies, rice fields, and marshy areas of human impact, but they are less polluted than the more lowlands and hills, entering the water while foraging urban water bodies and there is a significant diversity for a variety of prey during both day and night (Ahsan, of resident and migratory birds (Shrestha and Adhikari, 1983; Hossain, 2016; Parmar, 2018). Young snakes feed 2016). Among the fish, the population of native on aquatic insects, frog eggs, and tadpoles, whereas barbs, catfishes, and snakeheads is being disrupted adults prey on fish, frogs, and occasionally on rodents by several introduced carps, including Bighead Carp and birds (Shah and Tiwari, 2004; Whitaker and Captain, (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), Common Carp (Cyprinus 2004). Almost the entire literature on feeding in this carpio), Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), and species consists of reports from India, but websites in Silver Carp (H.
    [Show full text]
  • Snakes of New York State
    Common Garter Snake ˜e common garter snake is New York’s most common snake species, frequently found in lawns, old ÿelds and woodland edges. One Black Rat of three closely related and similar appearing snake species found in the state, the garter Snake snake is highly variable in color pattern, but ˜e black rat snake is our longest snake, reaching six the blotches. ˜is is a woodland species, but is found is generally dark greenish with three light feet in length. Its scales are uniformly black and faintly around barns where it is highly desirable for its abil- stripes—one on each side and one mid- keeled, giving it a satiny appearance. In some individu- ity to seek and destroy mice and rats, which it kills by dorsal. ˜e mid-dorsal stripe can be barely als, white shows between the black scales, making coiling around them and squeezing. Around farmyards, visible and sometimes the sides appear to the snake look blotchy. Sometimes confused with the its eggs are o˛en laid in shavings piles used for livestock have a checkerboard pattern of light and dark milk snake, the young black rat snake, which hatches bedding. squares. ˜is species consumes many kinds of from eggs in late summer, is prominently patterned insects, slugs, worms and an occasional small with white, grey and black, but lacks both the “Y” or frog or mouse. Length: 16 to 30 inches. “V” on the top of the head, and the reddish tinge to Timber Rattlesnake Copperhead ˜e copperhead is an attractively-patterned, venomous snake with a pinkish-tan color super- imposed on darker brown to chestnut colored saddles that are narrow at the spine and wide at the sides.
    [Show full text]
  • Venomous Nonvenomous Snakes of Florida
    Venomous and nonvenomous Snakes of Florida PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN ENGE Top to bottom: Black swamp snake; Eastern garter snake; Eastern mud snake; Eastern kingsnake Florida is home to more snakes than any other state in the Southeast – 44 native species and three nonnative species. Since only six species are venomous, and two of those reside only in the northern part of the state, any snake you encounter will most likely be nonvenomous. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission MyFWC.com Florida has an abundance of wildlife, Snakes flick their forked tongues to “taste” their surroundings. The tongue of this yellow rat snake including a wide variety of reptiles. takes particles from the air into the Jacobson’s This state has more snakes than organs in the roof of its mouth for identification. any other state in the Southeast – 44 native species and three nonnative species. They are found in every Fhabitat from coastal mangroves and salt marshes to freshwater wetlands and dry uplands. Some species even thrive in residential areas. Anyone in Florida might see a snake wherever they live or travel. Many people are frightened of or repulsed by snakes because of super- stition or folklore. In reality, snakes play an interesting and vital role K in Florida’s complex ecology. Many ENNETH L. species help reduce the populations of rodents and other pests. K Since only six of Florida’s resident RYSKO snake species are venomous and two of them reside only in the northern and reflective and are frequently iri- part of the state, any snake you en- descent.
    [Show full text]
  • Black Rat Snake Class: Reptilia
    Pantherophis obsoletus Black Rat Snake Class: Reptilia. Order: Squamata. Family: Colubridae. Other names: western rat snake, pilot black snake, or simply black snake Physical Description: Juvenile black rat snakes are heavily blotched with patches of brown, grey and black. As they mature their coloration gradually darkens and maintains a white chin and throat. There can be remnants of the blotchy pattern maintained in the adult’s coloration. The black rat snake is Ohio’s largest snake and can reach 42-72 inches (four to five feet) in length. A record of 8.5 feet in length has been recorded! The black rat snake is a member of the family of harmless snakes, or Colubridae. This is the largest order of snakes, representing two-thirds of all known snake species. Members of this family are found on all continents except Antarctica, widespread from the Arctic Circle to the southern tips of South America and Africa. All but a handful of species are harmless snakes, not having venom or the ability to deliver toxic saliva through fangs. Most harmless snakes subdue their prey through constriction, striking and seizing small rodents, birds or amphibians and quickly wrapping their body around the prey causing suffocation. While other small species such as the common garter snake lack powers to constrict and feed on only small prey it can overpower. Harmless snakes range in size from 5 inches to nearly 12 feet in length. The largest American species of snake is the indigo snake, a member of this family. It can grow to 11 feet as an adult! Diet in the Wild: Primarily feeds on a wide variety of rodents and birds, as well as their eggs.
    [Show full text]