ISSN 2330-6025 SWCHR BULLETIN Published Quarterly by the SOUTHWESTERN CENTER for HERPETOLOGICAL RESEARCH (SWCHR) P.O

ISSN 2330-6025 SWCHR BULLETIN Published Quarterly by THE SOUTHWESTERN CENTER FOR HERPETOLOGICAL RESEARCH (SWCHR) P.O. Box 624 Seguin TX 78156 www.southwesternherp.com ISSN 2330-6025 OFFICERS 2010-2012 COMMITTEE CHAIRS

PRESIDENT COMMITTEE ON COMMON AND Tom Lott SCIENTIFIC NAMES Tom Lott VICE PRESIDENT Todd Hughes RANGE MAP COMMITTEE Tom Lott

SECRETARY AWARDS AND GRANTS COMMITTEE Diego Ortiz (vacant)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Gerald Keown Gerald Keown

BOARD MEMBERS ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS COMMITTEE Toby Brock Diego Ortiz Riley Campbell NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE Hans Koenig Gerald Keown EDITORIAL STAFF EDUCATION COMMITTEE (vacant) EDITOR Chris McMartin MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Toby Brock TECHNICAL EDITOR Linda Butler CONSERVATION COMMITTEE (vacant) ABOUT SWCHR

Originally founded by Gerald Keown in 2007, SWCHR is a Texas non-profit association created under the provisions of the Texas Uniform Unincorporated Non-Profit Association Act, Chapter 252 of the Texas Business Organizations Code, governed by a board of directors and dedicated to promoting education of the Association’s members and the general public relating to the natural history, biology, taxonomy, conservation and preservation needs, field studies, and captive propagation of the herpetofauna indigenous to the American Southwest. SWCHR BULLETIN 1 Fall 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS

A Message from the President, Tom Lott ...... 2

Upcoming Event: Sanderson Snake Days ...... 3

Summary of July 17, 2011 Board Meeting, Gerald Keown ...... 4

TPWD Reptile & Amphibian Stamp FAQ, Scott Vaca ...... 6

Amended Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Pertaining to Reptiles and Amphibians, with Commentary by Dr. Andy Gluesenkamp...... 8

An Annotated Checklist of the Snakes of Atascosa County, Texas, Tom Lott ...... 10

2011 Third Quarter Photographs of the Month ...... 16

Commentary: I Found a Snake, Diego Ortiz...... 18

A CALL FOR PAPERS ...... 20

THE SWCHR LOGO There are several versions of the SWCHR logo, all featuring the Gray-Banded Kingsnake, Lampropeltis alterna, a widely recognized reptile native to the Trans-Pecos region of Texas as well as adjacent Mexico and New Mexico.

JOINING SWCHR For information on becoming a member of SWCHR please visit the SWCHR Membership Page of the SWCHR web site at http://www.southwesternherp.com/join.html. ON THE COVER: Broad-banded Copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix lacticinctus, Bell County, TX (Eric Runfeldt) BACKGROUND IMAGE: Elephant Tusk, Big Bend National Park, TX (Chris McMartin) SWCHR BULLETIN 2 Fall 2011

A Message from the President

The SWCHR Board of Directors recently held a meeting that resulted in the unanimous adoption of a number of tweaks to our Articles of Association under which we exist as a non-profit organization registered in the State of Texas. Since most of these amendments deal with day-to-day, nuts-and- bolts issues, I’ll only attempt to summarize those that will directly affect most members.

The Board voted to prepare and distribute a position paper concerning rattlesnake roundups in our region. Although within the six-state area covered by SWCHR, rattlesnake roundups appear to be almost a uniquely Texan predicament, it is felt their continued existence warrants a response from the organization. Consequently, we are seeking motivated volunteers to contribute to this document.

The Board also approved the creation of a standing Conservation Committee, which is hoped will take on the roundup position paper issue as its first charge.

Along with the creation of this new committee, the Board approved an additional change in the Ar- ticles of Association, which would relax the qualifications for persons wishing to serve as committee chairmen. Previously only officers and other board members were eligible; as a result of this change, dues-paying Members (i.e., any Member receiving this newsletter) may now serve as committee chairmen (upon appointment by the President). Once a committee chairman is appointed he or she may recruit the membership of his committee from among other SWCHR Members in good standing. A list of standing committees is available on the inside front cover and anyone wishing to chair any committee currently lacking a chairman should contact me or any Board Member via email.

Also in that vein, congratulations and thanks are due to Board Member Toby Brock who has self- lessly volunteered to chair the all-important Membership Committee, which is responsible for main- taining and hopefully augmenting the ranks of dues-paying Members, whose contributions support all the activities of the organization.

Finally, for anyone who has ideas or suggestions they would like to have considered by the Board of Directors in future meetings, you may contact me or any other Board Member to possibly place your thoughts on the agenda. The more of us who are actively involved, the better SWCHR will be.

Happy Herping, SWCHR BULLETIN 3 Fall 2011

Upcoming Event: Sanderson Snake Days

The first annual Snake Days of West Texas will be held June 15th -17th 2012 in Sanderson, Texas. The gathering is planned to include live music, field trips, a photo contest, and guest speakers. As part of a fund-raising effort for Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Wildlife Diversity department, there will be raffles, silent auctions, and a swap meet. To further demonstrate the environmental consciousness of the herping community, there will be a highway cleanup project and a contest to see who can bring in the most cans for recycling.

Voluntters to assist with the event and donations of items for auction/raffle are appreciated. For additional information contact Jeff Adams at (210) 823-8672 or [email protected], or visit http://www.snakedays.com.

This collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) was photographed in Santa Fe County, New Mexico by Technical Editor Linda Butler while its burrow was unfortunately being destroyed by a bulldozer at a construction site. SWCHR BULLETIN 4 Fall 2011

Summary of July 17, 2011 Board Meeting

By Gerald Keown, August 31, 2011

The SWCHR Board of Directors met in a regular session on July 17, 2011. After the routine approval of minutes from the prior meeting, the remainder of the meeting dealt with the adoption and approval of 13 various amendments to the SWCHR Articles of Association. The majority of the amendments made to the Articles of Association involved housekeeping issues that were in need of clarification and to provide the Association with more flexibility in our operations. Below is a brief summary of the amendments that were approved and adopted at this board meeting.

Article III was amended to allow the Board authority to move the principal office of the SWCHR to another location either within Texas or outside of Texas as the affairs of the Association may require.

Article VII was amended to clarify that when dues are paid to renew a membership that the effective date of the renewal shall be the date that the expiring membership ends as opposed to the date that the payment is received by the association. This ensures that the member does not lose days from an expiring membership when he or she renews early.

Article IX, Section 1 was amended to create a Board position of Immediate Past President for the purpose of helping maintain some continuity as members of the Board change after elections.

Article IX, Section 3 was amended to clear up conflicting language between this section and Article XVI, Section 3 relating to how committees are appointed.

Article IX, Section 7 was amended to clarify that the Board may reimburse Board members for some of the expenses that they may incur in the performance of their official duties providing sufficient funds are available and the request for reimbursement is made and approved by the Board of Direc- tors in advance.

Article X, Section 5 was amended to accommodate the duties of the position of Immediate Past President.

Article X, Section 6 was amended requiring Board members to participate in at least half of all Board meeting each year and providing for a means of removal if they fail to do so.

Article XI, Section 3 was amended to clarify that the Board may reimburse the Executive Director for some of the expenses that he or she may incur in the performance of his or her official duties SWCHR BULLETIN 5 Fall 2011

providing sufficient funds are available and the request for reimbursement is made and approved by the Board of Directors in advance.

Article XII, Section 1 was amended to change the frequency of regular Board meeting from once quarterly to at least once every six months. The President still has the authority to call additional special meetings as necessary.

Article XVI, Section 1 was amended replacing the term “Web Development Committee” with the term “Communications Committee”. A “Conservation Committee” was also added a standing committee.

Article XVI, Section 3 was amending allowing the President to appoint any member as the Chair of a committee. Previously committees had to be chaired by an elected or appointed officer or director.

Article XVII, Section 1 was amended to clarify that while no part of the funds of SWCHR shall go to the benefit of any officer, director or member, that officers, directors and members are not prohibited for participating in any type of competitive events or from receiving awards for such events, providing that non-members have equal opportunities to participate in those events.

Article XVIII, Section 1 was amended to remove sanctions against members for very minor wildlife violations that are punishable by fine only.

Article XIX, Section 3 was amended providing for the incorporation of amendments into the body of the Articles of Association along with the date of the amendment.

Prior to the end of the meeting president Tom Lott announced that he had appointed and Toby Brock had accepted the appointment to serve as the Chair of the membership Committee.

A revised and updated copy of the entire Articles of Association including all the above amendments is available as a Word document in the Member Resources Section of the SWCHR Forums on the SWCHR web site. http://s outhwesternherp.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1276961026 SWCHR BULLETIN 6 Fall 2011

TPWD Reptile & Amphibian Stamp FAQ

Prepared by Scott Vaca, Assistant Chief of Wildlife Enforcement, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Editor’s Note: For better or worse, this is the current Law Enforcement interpretation of the current statutes.

Q: Can I capture indigenous reptiles and amphibians on the road if I have the Reptile and Amphibian Stamp? A: No. The road is closed to capture of reptiles and amphibians, as well as other wild animals and birds.

Q: Where can I capture indigenous reptiles and amphibians if I buy the Reptile and Amphibian Stamp? A: With the Reptile and Amphibian Stamp, and a valid hunting license, you can capture by nonlethal means indigenous reptiles and amphibians on the shoulder of a road or on the unpaved area of a public right-of-way.

Q: Is the paved area to the right of a solid white line considered the shoulder of the road? A: No. That area is considered an “improved shoulder”. Texas Transportation Code §541.302(15) defines shoulder as the portion of a highway that is: • adjacent to the roadway; • designed or ordinarily used for parking; • distinguished from the roadway by different design, construction, or marking; and • not intended for normal vehicular travel.

Q: If I have a valid hunting license and a Reptile and Amphibian Stamp, can I set out traps on the shoulder of a road or on the unpaved area of a public right-of-way to catch reptiles and amphibians? A: No. The use of any type of trap to capture reptiles and amphibians is prohibited on the shoulder of a road or on the unpaved area of a public right-of-way. SWCHR BULLETIN 7 Fall 2011

Q: Do I need anything else in addition to a valid hunting license and a Reptile and Amphibian Stamp in order to capture by nonlethal means reptiles and amphibians on the shoulder of a road or on the unpaved area of a public right-of-way? A: Yes. You must wear reflective clothing at all times while capturing reptiles and amphibians on the shoulder of a road or on the unpaved area of a public right-of-way. This reflective clothing must have at least 144 square inches of reflective material on both the front and back.

Q: Can I cruise the road in a vehicle at night and look for reptiles and amphibians on the shoulder of the road or on the unpaved area of the public right-of-way? A: No. It is a violation to use an artificial light from a motor vehicle in locating, capturing or attempting to capture reptiles and amphibians on the shoulder of a road or on the unpaved area of a public right-of-way. The vehicle’s headlights are considered artificial lights.

Q: Can I sell any of the reptiles and amphibians that I capture on the shoulder of a road or on the unpaved area of a public right-of-way? A: No. It is a violation to take or attempt to take reptiles and amphibians on public property for commercial purposes.

Q: Is there a limit on how many reptiles and amphibians I can capture on the shoulder of a road or on the unpaved area of a public right-of-way? A: Yes. If you possess more than 25 specimens of a species of reptile or amphibian listed in Texas Administrative Code, §65.331(d), or more than 6 specimens of a species of reptile or amphibian listed in Texas Administrative Code, §65.331(e), you will also need a valid Nongame Permit.

Q: If I only want to photograph reptiles and amphibians that I find on the shoulder of a road or on the unpaved area of a public right-of-way, do I need a hunting license and a Reptile and Amphibian Stamp? A: If you capture, or handle in any way, the reptiles and amphibians that you find on the shoulder of a road or on the unpaved area of a public right-of-way, then you do need a valid hunting license and Reptile and Amphibian Stamp. This includes temporarily capturing, or temporarily handling in order to position a reptile or amphibian for photographs.

Note: violations of the Reptile and Amphibian Stamp laws are Class C Parks and Wildlife Code Misdemeanors. Each violation is punishable by a fine of up to $500 plus court costs.

SWCHR BULLETIN 8 Fall 2011

Amended Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Pertaining to Reptiles and Amphibians

with Commentary by Dr. Andy Gluesenkamp, TPWD Herpetologist

AN ACT relating to capturing reptiles and amphibians by nonlethal means; providing a penalty. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended by adding Subchapter W to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER W. REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN STAMP Sec. 43.901. REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN STAMP REQUIRED. (a) Except as provided by Section 43.905, a person may capture by nonlethal means an indigenous reptile or amphibian on the shoulder of a road, as defined by Section 541.302, Transportation Code, or the unpaved area of a public right-of-way only if the person possesses a reptile and amphibian stamp issued to the person by the department. (b) The commission by rule shall prescribe the form, design, and manner of issuance of a stamp under this subchapter. (c) The stamp is not valid unless the person to whom the stamp is issued has signed the stamp on its face. (d) The commission by rule may prescribe alternate requirements for identifying the purchaser of a stamp issued in an automated manner. (e) A stamp issued under this subchapter is valid only during the yearly period for which the stamp is issued without regard to the date on which the stamp is acquired. Each yearly period begins on September 1 or another date set by the commission and extends through August 31 of the next year or another date set by the commission. Sec. 43.902. FEE. The fee for a reptile and amphibian stamp is $10. The department may issue other editions of the stamp that are not valid for capturing by nonlethal means a species covered by this subchapter for a fee set by the commission. Sec. 43.903. HUNTING LICENSE REQUIRED. The possession of a reptile and amphibian stamp does not authorize a person to capture by nonlethal means an indigenous reptile or amphibian: (1) without possessing a hunting license required by Section 42.002 or 42.005; or (2) at a time or by means not otherwise authorized by this code. Sec. 43.904. STAMP SALE RECEIPTS. The net revenue derived from the sale of reptile and amphibian stamps shall be credited to the game, fish, and water safety account. Sec. 43.905. EXEMPTIONS. A person is not required to have a hunting license or reptile and amphibian stamp to capture by nonlethal means and subsequently release in another location an indigenous reptile or amphibian if the person is: (1) performing activities related to the operation and maintenance of pipelines and related facilities SWCHR BULLETIN 9 Fall 2011 or to oil or gas exploration or production; (2) an employee of the state, a utility, as defined by Section 203.091, Transportation Code, or a power generation company, as defined by Section 31.002, Utilities Code, and is acting in the course and scope of the person’s employment with the state, the utility, or the power generation company; or (3) performing activities related to surface coal mining and reclamation operations as defined by Section 134.004, Natural Resources Code. Sec. 43.906. PENALTY. (a) A person who violates Section 43.901 commits an offense that is a Class C Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor. (b) A person, other than a person described by Section 43.905, in an area described by Section 43.901 who is engaged in capturing by nonlethal means a species covered by this subchapter and fails or refuses on the demand of any game warden or other peace officer to show a reptile and amphibian stamp is presumed to be in violation of Section 43.901. SECTION 2. Section 62.0031, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (c), (d), and (e) to read as follows: (a) Except as provided by Subsections [Subsection] (b) and (c), a person may not hunt a wild animal or bird when the person is on a public road or right-of-way. (c) A person may capture by nonlethal means reptiles and amphibians on the shoulder of a road, as defined by Section 541.302, Transportation Code, or the unpaved area of a public right-of-way if the person: (1) possesses a reptile and amphibian stamp issued to the person by the department and does not use a trap; or (2) is described by Section 43.905. (d) A person must wear reflective clothing when engaging in the capture by nonlethal means of a reptile or amphibian under a stamp issued by the department. The clothing must have at least 144 square inches of reflective material on both the front and back of the clothing. (e) A person may not use an artificial light from a motor vehicle in locating, capturing, or attempting to capture a reptile or amphibian under Subsection (c).

Commentary from Dr. Gluesenkamp

A few subtleties worth noting: -The herp stamp applies to recreational collecting ONLY. Commercial collection on public lands (including ROWs) is prohibited. -All recreational bag limits and species lists apply (25 white list/6 black list, no T&E species). -A stamp is only required for collecting on ROWs. It is not needed for collecting or cruising on private land but that will still require a valid hunting license. -Youth under 17 years of age are NOT except from the stamp requirement. -Since photography often involves touching or handling animals, a stamp is required to do so on ROWs. SWCHR BULLETIN 10 Fall 2011

An Annotated Checklist of the Snakes of Atascosa County, Texas

By Tom Lott

This checklist is based on my more than fifty years of experience—the last twenty-eight of those as a resident—with the snakes of Atascosa County. The notes attached to the species list consist of my impressions of individual species’ general distribution and abundance.

Lying immediately south of the metropolitan San Antonio (Bexar County) area, Atascosa County, Texas includes an area of 1,235.7 square miles and is generally tilted—like most of the state—toward the Gulf coast. It ranges from 725 to 241 feet in elevation above mean sea level. Its principal drain- age system is the Atascosa River, a mostly permanently flowing watercourse, which runs from the northwestern tip of the county to its southeastern edge. The growing season is 282 days. The mean annual rainfall is 29.0 inches (up from 27.8 inches in 1993). The mean January low temperature is 39 degrees Fahrenheit; the mean July maximum temperature is 95.9 degrees Fahrenheit (down from 97 degrees Fahrenheit in 1993).

The distribution of the snakes of Atascosa County may be best understood in terms of the vegeta- tive habitats found within its boundaries. Two major habitats occur within the county: a sandy Post Oak Belt zone—the “Sand Hills” or the “Blackjacks”—in the northern portion, and an extensive area of Tamaulipan thornscrub—the “Brush Country”—in the south.

Of the two habitats, the Post Oak Belt is the more complex, since great areas of its original forest and savannah have been cleared for agricultural purposes for more than two hundred years. In most of these areas, in the absence of continuous cultivation or even in the presence of continuous grazing, the original forest species have been replaced by more invasive and faster growing thornscrub species (especially mesquite and prickly pear cactus). Such areas, formerly known ecologically as “disclimax- es,” are herein referred to as “second growth” and may harbor snake species that are more characteristic of the Brush Country than would have been the case had the original habitat remained.

There is also substantial historical evidence that the Brush Country we see today was once consider- ably more prairie-like, featuring much more extensive grasslands. With the development of the cattle industry subsequent to the Civil War and its concomitant overgrazing, the south Texas grasslands were devastated and rapidly replaced in most areas with the familiar thornscrub thickets. Conse- quently, many prairie/grassland species that were presumably once more widely distributed in south Texas are now relegated to spotty, relictual populations. SWCHR BULLETIN 11 Fall 2011

The scientific and common names used in this checklist do not necessarily conform to either of the two “standard” herpetological lists but, instead, reflect the SWCHR’s own considered standards, fa- voring stability and conservative taxonomic practice.

South Texas Blind Snake (Leptotyphlops dulcis rubellum) – This tiny subterranean-dwelling snake is common throughout the county in all major habitats.

Texas Glossy Snake (Arizona elegans arenicola) – Common throughout the county in sandy situations.

Eastern Racer (Coluber constrictor) – Rare. This snake is occasionally encountered around the Choke Canyon Reservoir of adjacent McMullen and Live Oak counties, thus it is to be expected in similarly riparian habitats in Atascosa County. The subspecies occurring in the area is generally conceded to be the Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris), although a juvenile specimen ob- served in northern McMullen County clearly displayed the characteristic dorsal pattern of the

Mexican Racer (Coluber constrictor oaxaca), perhaps an indication that these two races intergrade in this area.

Texas Indigo Snake (Drymarchon melanurus erebennus) – This large snake is fairly common in the brushlands of southern Atascosa County. Although it occurs in live-oak savannahs in deep south Texas, I have never encountered it in the oak woodlands of the northern part of the county. Texas law pro- hibits the harassment, collection and/or intentional destruction of this species without a permit.

Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)- Fairly common in the sandy northern portions of the county, even in second growth habitats. Apparently absent from the brush country although this species has a tendency to follow the more forested habitats associated with watercourses into less hospitable areas.

Chihuahuan (or Texas) Night Snake (Hypsiglena jani) – Surprisingly uncommon in the county, it is likely completely absent from the Post Oak Belt.

Desert King Snake (Lampropeltis getula splendida) – Apparently absent from primary forest zones, this species is fairly common in the brush country to the south.

Mexican Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum annulata) – Although it is rare in second growth zones to the north, and absent from the oak forests, it is fairly common in the brushlands.

SWCHR BULLETIN 12 Fall 2011

Western Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum testaceus) – Occurs throughout the county, with specimens from the brush country tending to be somewhat larger than those from the forested areas.

Schott’s Whipsnake (Masticophis schotti) – A quintessential brush country snake, I have been surprised on several occasions to find it within the northern oak forest zone.

Blotched Water Snake (Nerodia erythrogaster transversa) – Much less common than the Diamondback Water Snake, it is more likely to be restricted to the immediate vicinity of permanent water.

Diamondback Water Snake (Nerodia rhombifer) – Common near water throughout the county, this snake even manages to establish populations in larger, more permanent cattle tanks.

Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus) – Fairly common and generally distributed in the Post Oak forests of the north, but it is restricted to the environs of watercourses in the brush country.

Thornscrub Rat Snake (Pantherophis guttatus meahllmorum) – Rare or absent from the Post Oak woodlands, although it is present in second growth in such areas. Common in the brushlands of the south.

Texas Rat Snake (Pantherophis obsoletus lindheimeri) – Generally distributed in forested areas, in the brush country it is typically found only along streams.

Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi) – Rare or absent in the climax forests of the Post Oak Belt, but occurs in second growth areas and is fairly common in the brush country.

Long-nosed Snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei) – Most abundant in the brush country, this colorful snake also occurs in second growth areas within the Post Oak Belt.

Texas Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora grahamiae lineata) – Occurs commonly throughout the county but is less abundant in the forested areas.

Texas Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi texana) – Generally distributed within the Post Oak Belt and follows watercourses into the brushlands.

Flat-headed Snake (Tantilla gracilis) – Probably occurs countywide, but is most abundant in the sandy oak forests of the northern part of the county.

Plains Black-headed Snake (Tantilla nigriceps) – Rare or absent from the oak forests, but common in second growth and the brush country. SWCHR BULLETIN 13 Fall 2011

Checkered Garter Snake (Thamnophis marcianus) – Abundant throughout the county—often phenom- enally so after rainfall—this species is slightly less common in forest habitats.

Western Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis proximus) – Common near water throughout the county. Much more restricted to the vicinity of water than the Checkered Garter Snake.

Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) – While this is a very common species of the eastern US, the presence of this snake in Atascosa County is suggested by only a single literature record (Dixon, 2000). If present at all, it appears that it could persist in the riparian areas of the southeastern part of the county.

Previously Unreported Species

These species have not previously been formally reported from the county and their inclusion here is based solely on my personal observations.

Lined Snake (Tropidoclonion lineatum) – After two specimens were disgorged by a coral snake collected in the southern portion of the county, several others were road collected in the same general area. This species’ spotty distribution is likely due to its being a relict of the once widespread grassland habitat in south Texas.

Rough Earth Snake (Virginia striatula) – Fairly common in the sandy forests of the northern part of the county, it persists as well in second growth habitats and also in the wetter portions of the brush country.

Venomous Species

Broad-banded Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix laticinctus) – Abundant in the sandy northern forested zones of the county and tends to at least persist in second growth areas. Apparently absent from the thornscrub brushlands of the southern portion of the county, although they may follow riparian zones associated with streams into this otherwise inhospitable habitat.

Western Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma) – Uncommon. This is a semi-aquatic snake that is generally restricted to riparian areas along permanent watercourses. Occasionally, however, this species can become established around larger permanently filled cattle tanks, suggesting that they will wander across drier land to reach new water sources. SWCHR BULLETIN 14 Fall 2011

Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) – Abundant in the brush country of the southern portion of the county. Rare or absent in forested zones of the Post Oak Belt but rapidly colo- nizes such areas when they are cleared and thornscrub species (especially mesquite and prickly pear cactus) are subsequently allowed to invade.

Texas Coral Snake (Micrurus tener) – Relatively common throughout the county in all major habitats.

Hypothetical Species

These species are considered likely to be eventually found in Atascosa County based on their occurrence in similar habitats in adjacent counties. Special effort should be made to report specimens of these forms found in the county to the author.

Tamaulipan Hook-nosed Snake (Ficimia streckeri) – Likely occurs in the brushlands of the extreme southern portion of the county. Specimens have been taken in adjacent parts of Live Oak and Mc- Mullen counties.

Mexican Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus kennerlyi) – The distribution of this snake is spotty throughout south Texas. Specimens are known from adjacent McMullen and LaSalle counties to the south and Bexar County to the north. Possibly occurs in the brushlands of the extreme southern portion of Atascosa County. Some authors consider this form to be a full species, independent of the West- ern Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus) of the Great Plains, but there is very little obvious difference between the two.

Graham’s Crayfish Snake Regina( grahami) – Given that this snake is found near most permanent streams in adjacent Bexar County, it is almost certainly to be found in similar habitats in Atascosa County.

Southern Texas Ground Snake (Sonora semiannulata taylori) – Another relict grassland species with a correspondingly spotty south Texas distribution, it is well known from similar such areas of adjacent Bexar County. SWCHR BULLETIN 15 Fall 2011

Print References

Brown, B. C. An Annotated Check List of the Reptiles and Amphibians of Texas. Waco: Baylor University Studies, 1950.

Conant, R. and J. T. Collins. A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians: Eastern and Central North America, 3rd ed. (expanded). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1998.

Dixon, J. R. Amphibians and Reptiles of Texas, 2nd ed. W. L. Moody, Jr., Nat. Hist. Ser. 25. College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 2000.

Dixon, J. R. and J. E. Werler. Texas Snakes: A Field Guide. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2005.

Tennant, A. The Snakes of Texas. Austin: Texas Monthly Press, 1984

Vermersch, T.G. and R.E. Kuntz. Snakes of South Central Texas. Austin: Eakin Press, 1986.

Werler, J. E. and J. R. Dixon. Texas Snakes: Identification, Distribution, and Natural History. Austin: Uni- versity of Texas Press, 2000.

Wright, A. H., and A. A. Wright. Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada. Ithaca, N. Y.: Comstock Publishing Co., 1957.

Online References

Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collection, Division of Amphibians and Reptiles [ http://w fscnet.tamu.edu/tcwc/Herps_online/Index.html ] SWCHR BULLETIN 16 Fall 2011

July 2011 Photo of the Month

Richard Porter photographed this atypical melanistic Sierra Garter Snake (Thamnophis couchii) while field herping in El Dorado County, California.

August 2011 Photo of the Month

Ayissa Sandoval photographed this incredible scene of two adult male Texas Indigo Snakes Drymarchon melanurus erebennus) locked in battle at the Santa Ana National WildlifeRefuge in Hidalgo County, Texas adjacent to the Rio Grande River. The Texas Indigo Snake is protected as a Threatened Species in Texas. SWCHR BULLETIN 17 Fall 2011

September 2011 Photo of the Month

Will Wells photographed this Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in Maricopa County, Arizona. This marks the first time in the five- year history of the Photo of the Month competition that members have voted for a photograph of a turtle or tortoise.

All SWCHR members are given an opportunity to vote for their choice of images for Photo of the Month. The winner of the Photo of the Month will be announced in the Herpetological Photography Forum and in the SWCHR News and Announcements Section of our main web site after the poll has been closed. Each monthly winner receives a check in the amount of $25.00 and the photographer automatically becomes a nominee for our annual Award for Excellence in Herpetological Photography. SWCHR BULLETIN 18 Fall 2011

Commentary: I Found a Snake

by Diego Ortiz

I found a snake. I am sure that comes to no surprise to anyone that who knows me and the fact that I devote a lot of time to field herping, but this particular snake was a bit different. First off, I found this snake just outside of Temple in Bell County, Texas last year on Father’s Day, which was a nice little present. Second, when I found this snake it was in the process of eating a bird. In my experience, encountering a wild herp in the middle of a meal is a rather rare occurrence.

Most curious of all, however, is the fact that this snake appeared to be a Slowinski’s Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttatus slowinskii). This snake, also known as the Kisatchie Corn Snake, is quite common in the eastern third of the state, but the closest record I can find of this animal is almost one hundred miles to the east, outside the town of Cameron in Milam County. There is a similar subspecies of snake that is known from the area, the Great Plains Ratsnake (Pantherophis guttatus emoryi), and this animal seemed to show a few characteristics of both. Rather perplexed, I decided to snap a couple of pictures, let him finish his meal, and then collect him for further analysis.

Once home, I took more pictures of the snake from every angle imaginable and sent them off to various colleagues in the herpetological community to try and decipher the mystery of this animal. The best we could come up with, however, was that this may or may not be an intergrade animal between the two subspecies. There was also the distinct possibility, however, that this could be a pure Kisatchie. The only real consensus that was reached was that the animal needed to be examined at a university and that if it was indeed a Kisatchie Corn, I would be credited for documenting a range extension into Bell County.

Life got in the way as it tends to do, and it wasn’t until almost a full year later that I had the opportunity to head out to the Texas A&M TCWC (Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collections) in order to search through their specimens and hopefully speak to their resident herpetologist, James Dixon. As it turns out, he was in West Texas at the time but I was allowed to tour the reptile collection, which consists of literally thousands of glass jars on what seem like miles of shelves, each containing snakes, amphibians, amphisbaenians, and lizards that have been vouchered (euthanized, tagged, catalogued, and preserved in ether).

(continued) SWCHR BULLETIN 19 Fall 2011

Some jars held only one animal as the representative of that particular species. Other jars, however, contained dozens of animals and had more full jars behind them – all of the same species. I can understand the need for scientific specimens to be held in an academic setting, but a lot of this process seemed a bit excessive to me. Truth be told, I was positively floored by the amount of dead critters that surrounded me in those aisles and, once I realized how many Kisatchie Corn Snakes and Great Plains Ratsnakes were already pickled, I decided that adding one more dead snake to the archives wasn’t going to really make much of a difference in the annals of herpetology.

And so it was that I ended up coming back home with Mutt, as I like to call him. In retrospect, I suppose I should have let him be to live his natural life in the wild, but he seems to be content enough here in his cage, and I’m perfectly happy to have him as a healthy living specimen and not one that’s just floating around in a jar on a dark, dusty shelf.

Unidentified “mystery” snake Pantherophis( sp.) as found ingesting a bird in Bell County, Texas. Photo by Diego Ortiz. SWCHR BULLETIN 20 Fall 2011

A CALL FOR PAPERS Are you a field herpetologist or a herpetoculturist working with species native tothe 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 ableto 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 tosuit.

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].

. Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research 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 to one in confidence, it should be kept in 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