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"New to Me" Species

ShelbyScott

ShelbyScott

Owned by Paisley
I've never officially gone "herping," as in turning over logs and rocks looking for snakes, lizards, etc. But recently I ran into a few surprises.
First, I found a ringneck snake (a colubrid!) that I had never heard of or seen before. I live in Tennessee, and neither my mom nor I had seen one before. I am familiar with all venomous snakes in Tennessee, so I knew at least this was not one of them. I found out later that they are "slightly" venomous. Oops. Even though it musked on me, I fell in love. I regret letting it go. I should have kept it. So beautiful :)




Then this big guy/girl was making its way through my front yard. Definitely a snapping turtle, I made sure to keep my distance.



Finally, this poor thing was trapped in my garage. When I found it and put it in the grass, it had no fight left. Didn't even budge. After I gave it some water, it felt good enough to scurry off for some food. And yes that is the cap of a water bottle. It drank from it like a dog and I was thoroughly amused. Glad I saved it :)





Very excited to post in this topic. Maybe one day I'll get to go "herping" for real!
 
Awwww cute!!! (for all of them). The one time I went herping (was actually looking for crayfish, but) I saw a snapping turtle and a painted turtle. Haven't seen any "wild" geckos or snakes in a very very long time :(
 
Nice finds! Herping is definitely rewarding, even if you see nothing, it's an excuse to get out!
 
Okay, that lizard picture is just too cute. I love the ringneck, too. I think they're really beautiful snakes.
 
Thanks all! I was really excited when I found all of them. I'm still kicking myself for letting go of the ring neck, but I know it would have been very high maintenance. I hope the little guy/girl made it okay in the world.
 
Hey just about a week ago I went and there was a tarp covering about oh I don't know, 15sq ft of ground next to my back porch or so, I went to move it and a garter snake ran across my foot, I caught it by its tail and showed it around, then went and turned it loose back behind the porch, and went to move the tarp some more and a baby garter snake and a ring neck came shooting out from under it! I tried to catch the ring neck but it just managed to escape under the porch, it was the first one id seen in years. Although we do have copperheads and rattlesnakes around where I live, I went ahead and put the tarp back where It was, maybe it will attract more serpent friends that I will be able to catch and document. If so I'll be sure to post on here sometime.
 
Edit to above post: Unless it's a copperhead or rattlesnake, then I might JUST document it's appearance via a picture. Lol
 
Lol! I wish snakes popped up more often. I was very excited to hold the ring neck. I had honestly never seen one before. And I can't remember the last time I saw a garter snake...either way, my dad is terrified and unfortunately will kill any snake that is too close to him. :/
 
Oh yea I know what ya mean, most people around here (literally all of them except me and my dad) kill any snake they ever see. Some people let the green snakes go, but other than that, they all die [emoji21] my dad only kills the copperheads/rattle snakes when they're some what close to houses. Better I suppose, but still, I wish people around here where more educated about snakes in general.
 
We have an ancient King snake living in the backyard. He's massive and unafraid of anything: my friend's boyfriend called us out one afternoon when he was out for a cruise, just passing by as if to say, "Good afternoon everyone!"

Come to think of it, haven't seen him in about a year... he was pretty old...

Oh! But last month we also found a large gopher snake in our shed. Thankfully I live with reptile-friendly people, and after some pictures we let him go his own way.
 
In Tennessee, it is illegal to kill ANY snake, but I can understand people killing rattlesnakes and copperheads close to their houses. I just wish more people would educate themselves on what snakes are venomous in their state so they could refrain from killing those that are harmless. :/
 
ShelbyScott said:
In Tennessee, it is illegal to kill ANY snake, but I can understand people killing rattlesnakes and copperheads close to their houses. I just wish more people would educate themselves on what snakes are venomous in their state so they could refrain from killing those that are harmless. :/
Click to expand...


My thoughts and wishes exactly.
 
ashleynicole said:
A skink is a lizard though. They look similar to salamanders...
easy to confuse... lol.
Click to expand...

Lol yes I could see how some could confuse them. Having had salamanders and skinks and lizards of all kinds since I was old enough to walk they look nothing a like to me.

Probably the same as when people see my dogs they say nice pits when they are American Bulldogs, pits of any kind and American Bulldogs even the Scott type look nothing alike to me! I'm seeing more of the shelters in the are listing pits as American Bulldogs, must be easier to adopt out an AB vs a pit....
 
Yes definitely a skink :) I forgot to not that. They are EVERYWHERE here in Tennessee. I've never gotten to see a salamander in the wild. I've saved many skinks though :)
 
I'm a bit jealous of everyone's adventures. My son did find a Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus, I believe) near our home. It was out in the open on an early January day, and was tiny and cold. We took it in, and my son has helped it thrive all these months. Anyone else ever seen a full-grown one? I have no idea how large it will get. :)
 
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