Search found 269 matches

by mfb
April 18th, 2020, 8:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Rought night for peepers: predation by a turtle, bullfrog and beetle.
Replies: 3
Views: 2744

Rought night for peepers: predation by a turtle, bullfrog and beetle.

Recently I was out in northeast Ohio listening for frogs at night. I noticed a painted turtle swimming under a peeper. The turtle grabbed the peeper from underwater chewed it and swallowed it in less than 90 seconds. Here is a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COSzVr5v1H8 Sometimes the turtle m...
by mfb
September 24th, 2019, 3:03 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Frog, salamander, turtle and snake photos & videos from 2019
Replies: 2
Views: 9792

Re: Frog, salamander, turtle and snake photos & videos from 2019

Thanks Bill, I appreciate it!

That pickerel frog video means a lot to me because of the amount of time (several years) before finding one calling close enough to let me record it.
by mfb
September 21st, 2019, 12:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Frog, salamander, turtle and snake photos & videos from 2019
Replies: 2
Views: 9792

Frog, salamander, turtle and snake photos & videos from 2019

It has been a while, but I wanted to share some herp photos and videos from earlier this year. This is a mix of cameras, locations and species. I hope you enjoy! One of our very special, all-female unisexual salamanders swimming underwater. Seen in northeastern Ohio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=...
by mfb
June 24th, 2018, 4:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Bullfrog call causing ripples in the water
Replies: 4
Views: 5618

Re: Bullfrog call causing ripples in the water

Thanks Jimi and Bill! That is a neat comparison with the Alligator. Still haven't seen Alligators bellowing in the wild, hope to do that soon. I've seen many Bullfrogs call, but never noticed this effect before. I think it was the night photos and flash that made me notice. Mike
by mfb
June 23rd, 2018, 12:41 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Bullfrog call causing ripples in the water
Replies: 4
Views: 5618

Bullfrog call causing ripples in the water

Some of you may enjoy these photos and video showing a male Bullfrog causing water to splash and ripple with his deep call. Taken in June 2018. Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Best, Mike https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1yfkoqvz_Q Video: Photos: Resting between calls https://photos.smugmug.com/Frogs/i-DqRf4X...
by mfb
December 8th, 2017, 8:30 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Evolution of Venom and the 'Red Queen Hypothesis'
Replies: 5
Views: 5509

Re: Evolution of Venom and the 'Red Queen Hypothesis'

A great topic for biology students to learn about! I teach about this topic in my herpetology class at Case Western Reserve University. If you PM me your email address, I would be happy to send you some of my slides, and pdfs of the scientific papers from the studies I discuss in class. There are so...
by mfb
May 29th, 2017, 12:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Adult frog eating tadpole, fighting frogs and toads, etc.
Replies: 5
Views: 4002

Re: Adult frog eating tadpole, fighting frogs and toads, etc

Thanks Bill!

I have never seen spotted or other salamander larvae eating tads, would love to see that sometime. There are also some jeffersons-complex Amybstoma larvae in the pond from this video, but they don't seem to get big enough in time to eat the wood larvae.
by mfb
May 21st, 2017, 12:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Adult frog eating tadpole, fighting frogs and toads, etc.
Replies: 5
Views: 4002

Re: Adult frog eating tadpole, fighting frogs and toads, etc

Hi Carl, That is really interesting that the wood frogs avoided the green frog but the toads didn't. In the vernal pool I watched, the wood frog tads didn't seem to notice the green frog when it was sitting still. They would just swarm around it until the green frog struck, then the tads would speed...
by mfb
May 20th, 2017, 12:28 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Adult frog eating tadpole, fighting frogs and toads, etc.
Replies: 5
Views: 4002

Adult frog eating tadpole, fighting frogs and toads, etc.

Every couple weeks this spring I have been taking video at the same pond to document wood frogs from the mating season through egg and tadpole development, to metamorphosis and movement away from the pond. This is a small vernal pool in a forest. One day I noticed an adult male Green Frog sitting in...
by mfb
May 14th, 2017, 7:03 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Large aggregation of painted turtles
Replies: 3
Views: 3107

Re: Large aggregation of painted turtles

Very nice!

In any one pond, most I have seen is about 50, mix of paints and blanding's turtles. But several hundred in a day across multiple wetlands.
by mfb
May 14th, 2017, 6:52 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Vipera berus nikolskii
Replies: 5
Views: 4183

Re: Vipera berus nikolskii

Beautiful!
by mfb
May 14th, 2017, 6:49 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lifer King Cobra
Replies: 23
Views: 17198

Re: Lifer King Cobra

This is a great video - you really carried us along on the adventure with you. Thanks for sharing it.
by mfb
April 22nd, 2017, 5:22 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: trip report Peloponnese (Greece) April 2017
Replies: 8
Views: 6562

Re: trip report Peloponnese (Greece) April 2017

Fantastic! That is a lot of great species to see. And wonderful you are getting the whole family involved. I understand the challenges of herping trips with a couple young kids, but you are doing it right! Mike
by mfb
April 22nd, 2017, 5:19 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Malaysia 2017, part 5: Kubah National Park
Replies: 14
Views: 11380

Re: Malaysia 2017, part 5: Kubah National Park

These were great to read, thanks for sharing! Would love to take a trip to Malaysia sometime.
by mfb
April 22nd, 2017, 5:18 am
Forum: News
Topic: Man dies after eating dish with toads
Replies: 1
Views: 10047

Man dies after eating dish with toads

I don't see these types of stories often, thought others might be interested in this sad situation:

Man dies after eating bullfrog dish apparently intermixed with toads
by mfb
April 22nd, 2017, 5:15 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Neuroethology of Toads
Replies: 5
Views: 3005

Re: Neuroethology of Toads

Hi Kelly, Thanks for the kind comments on the website, I really appreciate it! I am slowly adding more sections, usually based on questions people email to me. The part I am working on now is a FAQ about why and how frogs call; it should be added in a couple weeks. It is great to be able to teach he...
by mfb
April 8th, 2017, 9:10 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Neuroethology of Toads
Replies: 5
Views: 3005

Re: Neuroethology of Toads

These are great videos, thanks for sharing! I think I will use them next time I teach my undergraduate herpetology class. The ability to watch the toad respond (or not) to different stimuli, and the nerve responses associated with the stimuli, provides a really compelling addition to just reading th...
by mfb
March 26th, 2017, 10:05 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: VIDEO: Hawskbill Sea Turtle
Replies: 3
Views: 2000

Re: VIDEO: Hawskbill Sea Turtle

Awesome! Thanks for sharing. Got to snorkle with green turtles a few years ago. Would love to see some hawksbills.
by mfb
March 26th, 2017, 10:04 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Unusual behavior of amphibians
Replies: 9
Views: 5245

Re: Unusual behavior of amphibians

Great photos! It is not uncommon to find frogs amplexing salamanders. Male frogs are often in a breeding frenzy. When they amplex other frogs of the same species, the frogs "release call" tells them to let go. But salamanders can't make the release call, so the frogs may hang on for a long...
by mfb
November 19th, 2016, 1:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Yet another Missouri/Illinois post
Replies: 11
Views: 10217

Re: Yet another Missouri/Illinois post

Coming in pretty late here, but this is an awesome post. Love the grotto salamander and the many in-situ shots!
by mfb
November 19th, 2016, 1:13 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herp Photography 2016 - 2/3
Replies: 5
Views: 5786

Re: Herp Photography 2016 - 2/3

Very nice photos! I particularly like the one of the snake swimming away. The striped gophers are great too. Wish I had gotten some good photos of them when I lived in CA.
by mfb
September 17th, 2016, 9:51 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: herpetological parenting
Replies: 6
Views: 4335

Re: herpetological parenting

nice to get the kids started on herps young! they pick so much up from how their parents approach herps and the rest of the natural world. Sometimes out in the metroparks or visiting the zoo I overhear parents telling their kids about how gross / scary / bad certain animals are. Just sad.
by mfb
September 17th, 2016, 9:49 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Dog does herps.
Replies: 18
Views: 11362

Re: Dog does herps.

Nice! Did you train her to seek out herps, or does she just do it on her own?
by mfb
September 17th, 2016, 9:47 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Videos of salamanders eating in the rain
Replies: 9
Views: 4246

Re: Videos of salamanders eating in the rain

Jeroen, very nice! Salamandra are high on my list of herps I'd love to see in the wild someday.
by mfb
September 14th, 2016, 7:02 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Videos of salamanders eating in the rain
Replies: 9
Views: 4246

Re: Videos of salamanders eating in the rain

Thanks everyone, glad you enjoyed! Kelly, I am planning to make more. Here is one of my favorites from May 2016. Next year I would like to make a couple videos on frog lifecycles from mating season through metamorphosis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=559VRUE1MwQ I agree about the slow motion. I ju...
by mfb
September 13th, 2016, 6:57 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Videos of salamanders eating in the rain
Replies: 9
Views: 4246

Videos of salamanders eating in the rain

We had a big rainstorm come through northeast Ohio on Saturday night, so I headed to the woods to see what was happening. Lots of amphibian activity, including wood frog juveniles, an American toad, spring peepers, a two lined salamander, and a newt. But the most obvious amphibian out in the rain wa...
by mfb
September 13th, 2016, 6:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: AUGUST 2016: TRIP TO AUSTRALIA, SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA
Replies: 12
Views: 5429

Re: AUGUST 2016: TRIP TO AUSTRALIA, SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA

Great shots, thanks for sharing!
by mfb
September 13th, 2016, 6:43 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First 3/4 of 2016- part three, to Arizona and back
Replies: 12
Views: 7923

Re: First 3/4 of 2016- part three, to Arizona and back

Fantastic trio of posts! I always enjoy these. The mix of habitat and non-herp organisms is fantastic. One of the things that struck me this time was the color pattern on the heads of the painted turtles. So different from what I see in Ohio. Thanks!
by mfb
August 30th, 2016, 8:41 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: When is habitat restoration for herps a good thing?
Replies: 42
Views: 28219

Re: When is habitat restoration for herps a good thing?

Very interesting and informative thread to read. Just catching back up on it now. Jimi, your metaphor for conservation work as a long-distance relay really resonated with me. I don't think we can just assume that there will always be resources available Over the course of my career I have struggled ...
by mfb
August 30th, 2016, 8:38 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Tadpole Visual Guide - Seeking Photo Contributions
Replies: 2
Views: 2188

Re: Tadpole Visual Guide - Seeking Photo Contributions

Hi Matt, You are welcome to use the flickr embed code to add these photos of mine to your thread. American toad development: https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/660/23328695705_3473216bef_c.jpg American Toad Development: Egg to Metamorphosis by Mike Benard , on Flickr Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor) tadpo...
by mfb
August 23rd, 2016, 6:15 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South Africa and Namibia Lizard ID help...
Replies: 5
Views: 4022

Re: South Africa and Namibia Lizard ID help...

Hi Andy, Can't help with the IDs, but just wanted to say it looks like a cool trip! If you have any habitat photos, I'd love to see them. Mike
by mfb
August 8th, 2016, 9:16 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why You Dont Collect
Replies: 279
Views: 1359869

Re: Why You Dont Collect

Self interrogation of one's actions and motives, professional or personal is healthy and growth inducing even if contained as internal thought experience. I offer the question I have in a spirit of neutrality and with respect to all who have conveyed firm input. My question concerns the possibility...
by mfb
August 8th, 2016, 9:05 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why You Dont Collect
Replies: 279
Views: 1359869

Re: Why You Dont Collect

Jeroen Speybroeck wrote:
VanAR wrote:just that the witch hunt against science, over and over again, ignores a lot of reality.
Amen! Thanks a lot for your post. Unlikely to convince the one it was mainly meant for, but at least it's factual and objective, and enjoyed by me.
Yep, same here.
by mfb
August 6th, 2016, 6:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why You Dont Collect
Replies: 279
Views: 1359869

Re: Why You Dont Collect

Kelly, Thanks for starting this thread. The great discussions and comments on this thread are one of the reasons I keep coming back to FHF. This quote from Tamara is a good summary of why I don't collect pets now: I don't collect because I am trying to get less responsibility, not more. Between time...
by mfb
August 6th, 2016, 5:59 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: When is habitat restoration for herps a good thing?
Replies: 42
Views: 28219

Re: When is habitat restoration for herps a good thing?

Hi Jonathan, thanks for starting a very interesting thread. I have been involved in varying degrees with a number of wetland creation / restoration projects in the midwestern US. In general, these have been successful. Amphibians populations were either introduced or naturally colonized the ponds, a...
by mfb
July 17th, 2016, 7:16 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Taiwan frogs from the first half of 2016
Replies: 5
Views: 4581

Re: Taiwan frogs from the first half of 2016

Great photos and descriptions. I would love to see Hynobius in the wild sometime. Also, that was interesting information about the Polypedates. I'm going to have to read up on that.
by mfb
July 17th, 2016, 7:13 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: next generation, frog-blood-suckers, calling frogs
Replies: 3
Views: 2873

Re: next generation, frog-blood-suckers, calling frogs

Thanks!

Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to get back to the bullfrog eggs for a final late-development photo.
by mfb
July 17th, 2016, 7:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2016 First Half Review: Herping the Southeast
Replies: 6
Views: 5253

Re: 2016 First Half Review: Herping the Southeast

Very nice! I especially like the spring salamander larva.
by mfb
June 24th, 2016, 5:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: next generation, frog-blood-suckers, calling frogs
Replies: 3
Views: 2873

next generation, frog-blood-suckers, calling frogs

Just a few photos and videos from northeast Ohio. Calling gray treefrogs: https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7352/26757060864_830605c9d7_c.jpg Gray Treefrog Calling From Tree Trunk by Mike Benard , on Flickr https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtbkiRcTseU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-OVP8ukTCM Calling G...
by mfb
May 29th, 2016, 5:49 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Introduction of Myself - New Herper - Advice on Books, etc.
Replies: 9
Views: 6172

Re: Introduction of Myself - New Herper - Advice on Books, e

Bryan's suggestions are spot-on. Rick Shine's book, Australian Snakes: A Natural History is also well worth reading. The information and stories are widely applicable beyond Australian snakes. http://www.amazon.com/Australian-Snakes-Natural-History-Comstock/dp/0801482615 You should also consider joi...
by mfb
May 29th, 2016, 5:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NAFHA Meeting, Mena, AR?
Replies: 14
Views: 7683

Re: NAFHA Meeting, Mena, AR?

Hadar wrote:
mfb wrote:Fantastic trip report, thanks for sharing!

What was in that sandwich?
It was crunchy honey peanut butter with extra honey and dill pickle slices.
Hmmmmm . . . sounds . . . interesting!
by mfb
May 28th, 2016, 8:50 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Pelonnese solo quickie
Replies: 16
Views: 10606

Re: Pelonnese solo quickie

Great stuff, thanks for posting! And very kind of you to save that turtle in the well. What was that cage/trap thing shown in one photo? This post makes me want to visit Greece for some herping.
by mfb
May 28th, 2016, 8:38 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NAFHA Meeting, Mena, AR?
Replies: 14
Views: 7683

Re: NAFHA Meeting, Mena, AR?

Fantastic trip report, thanks for sharing!

What was in that sandwich?
by mfb
May 14th, 2016, 7:48 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Toad videos and a few other things
Replies: 0
Views: 3885

Toad videos and a few other things

After a warm winter and an early spring, we had a cool-down for a few weeks that has slowed down some amphibian breeding in northeast Ohio. I have been having fun trying to take more video this year when I get a chance. Here are a few American Toads calling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zdOUNcCj...
by mfb
May 14th, 2016, 7:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NAFHA Meeting, Mena, AR?
Replies: 14
Views: 7683

Re: NAFHA Meeting, Mena, AR?

Sounds like a great trip, looking forward to seeing the trip reports with photos.
by mfb
May 8th, 2016, 12:00 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: More photos from the Peruvian Amazon
Replies: 5
Views: 5032

Re: More photos from the Peruvian Amazon

Great stuff, thanks for sharing! Those inverts are as impressive as the herps. Whets my appetite for a trip to the Amazon.
by mfb
May 8th, 2016, 11:56 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Need Expert Opinion On Panamint Rattlesnake ID
Replies: 56
Views: 35598

Re: Need Expert Opinion On Panamint Rattlesnake ID

Hi Hanna, That looks like Emily Taylor's herp class from the link. If you have not done so already, I'd encourage you to reach out to Emily directly about the snake. She's been doing work with herps, including rattlesnakes, since the 90s. Maybe she can give you more photos / info on the ID. http://p...
by mfb
April 17th, 2016, 3:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Underwater Wood Frog Eggscape
Replies: 2
Views: 2009

Re: Underwater Wood Frog Eggscape

Thanks! Never saw that show but I think my kids would like it. Will have to check Netflix for full episodes!