Shawnee National Forest 10-03-13

[tspuckler]

Located in southwestern Illinois:

Leopard Frogs were everywhere, you could easily see 100 in a few hours.

Other amphibians were out and about too, like this Fowler's Toad.

Cricket Frog.

Young Western Cottonmouth.

Longtail Salamander.

Cave Salamander.

A young Timber Rattlesnake.

Rough Green Snake.

Did I mention the Leopard Frogs?

 

[Nanci]

Nice!! I really, really, really want to go there some year...

 

[Guruofchem]

Some nice finds - the cottonmouth pic is a winner!

 

[diamondlil]

Lovely photos, thanks for sharing

 

[Tara80]

I really like the cottonmouth picture; very nice.

 

[airenlow]

Nice shots, Tim! I think I met you down there on Friday. I was with the Cincy herp society group. We never did find a timber...

 

[tspuckler]

Nice shots, Tim! I think I met you down there on Friday.

I bet you're right - I met a lot of fine folks over the past few days. It's been an awesome time - plenty of good people as well as plenty of good herps. Here's a few more photos.

Black Rat Snake

Baby Black Rat

Chorus Frog

Marbled Salamander

The "Holy Grail" of southern Illinois herps - Western Mud Snake

The Mud Snake was my first "lifer" of the trip - this was my second - Midland Water Snake

Eastern Box Turtle

Mole Salamander

Diamondback Water Snake

 

[airenlow]

Do you know why it's mostly juvenile snakes down there?

 

[Tavia]

That Boxie is awesome! Love all the pictures, thanks for sharing!

 

[tspuckler]

Do you know why it's mostly juvenile snakes down there?

I haven't found that to be the case. From what I've seen, there is a range in Cottonmouth, Green Snake and Ribbon Snake sizes. I've one seen one juvenile Yellowbelly Water Sanke, but lots of adults. Every Black Rat Snake I've seen there except for the baby I posted was an adult. I've never seen a juvenile Diamondback Water Snake.

 

[airenlow]

We saw an adult copperhead and king...everything else was a juvenile or young adult. Well, with the larger species anyway. My group has been going for 6 years and said that's usually the case for them. Weird!

 

[MotleyMedusa7]

some nice finds-really like the closeup of the cottonmouth

 

[MikeSaw23]

The marbled and cave salamander are awesome!

 

[tspuckler]

Here's a few more:

King Snake

Spotted Salamander

Baby Water Snakes

Copperhead

Mississippi Green Water Snake

Colorful Cricket Frog

Stinkpot

Ground Skink

Yellowbelly Water Snake

Cottonmouth saying "cheese" for the camera.

 

[Outcast]

I grew up in Louisiana for most of my life, and our Speckled Kings looked just like that fella. Man I miss catching them behind the house. The longest one we measured was 5'2", we were told later that we should have had a Fish and Game guy come by, because it could have been a state record for size... I caught him 5 times before I joined the military and my parents moved from that place.