Search found 42 matches

by Tom Lott
May 31st, 2017, 4:38 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: QUESTION: Does Your State Ban Road Cruising?
Replies: 21
Views: 18168

Re: QUESTION: Does Your State Ban Road Cruising?

As I am currently researching New Mexico's herping regulations for an article in the SWCHR Bulletin , I am pleased to announce that New Mexico specifically mentions collection from roadways as a legal "means of take." Obviously, as the other poster mentioned and as common sense would shoul...
by Tom Lott
October 4th, 2016, 8:25 am
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: A great Herpetoculture resource from a noted Dutchman
Replies: 8
Views: 16360

Re: A great Herpetoculture resource from a noted Dutchman

A great little book that's $15 directly from the Barkers. They are, however, currently sold out but are preparing a new edition, possibly to include an ebook version.

http://vpi.com/store
by Tom Lott
July 1st, 2016, 10:20 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Dishonesty in government
Replies: 121
Views: 40659

Re: Dishonesty in government

Well stated, Richard. It has long been my belief that most state-level non-game "protections" are enacted to merely give the appearance that the agencies are promoting the conservation of these species without actually having to do anything.
by Tom Lott
June 2nd, 2016, 7:34 am
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: America's Snake: The Rise and Fall of the Timber Rattlesnake
Replies: 10
Views: 18128

Re: America's Snake: The Rise and Fall of the Timber Rattles

A great book that concentrates on the northeastern segment of the species' distribution where it is most critically endangered due to the human population density in that area. It does take some disparaging swipes at "fieldherpers," considering them to be among the most significant threats...
by Tom Lott
December 13th, 2015, 1:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: ID Help--Chorus Frog? Treefrog?
Replies: 3
Views: 2547

Re: ID Help--Chorus Frog? Treefrog?

My best GUESS would be the highly variable Hyla squirella. :?
by Tom Lott
July 17th, 2015, 1:41 pm
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Bushmaster: Ditmars and the World's Largest Viper
Replies: 7
Views: 17140

Re: Bushmaster: Ditmars and the World's Largest Viper

There's a review of this book, appropriately, in the Trinidad Guardian , which may be viewed HERE . I recently finished the book, and while it does contain some typographical errors and a few puzzling sentences, they were not so numerous as to mar the experience. It is best viewed as a newer biograp...
by Tom Lott
April 5th, 2015, 3:42 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping laws in TX
Replies: 60
Views: 27843

Re: Herping laws in TX

Dave,

The one herp stamp should be good through the end of the state's fiscal year (i.e., Aug 31, 2015).
by Tom Lott
April 5th, 2015, 1:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping laws in TX
Replies: 60
Views: 27843

Re: Herping laws in TX

Dave, It sounds as though you're good to go. The actual license and "stamp" are little more than printed out receipts anyway (the "stamp" is just an endorsement printed on the license). At least it shows that your intentions are pure! Sorry for the hassle and I hope you have the ...
by Tom Lott
January 4th, 2015, 1:08 pm
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: The Better Guide?
Replies: 6
Views: 5038

Re: The Better Guide?

You can't really go wrong with either one. I have successfully relied on each for different trips. Lee's big book, which may be out of print, slightly trumps the pair you mention, though it's hardly a field guide!
by Tom Lott
December 10th, 2014, 2:13 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Always check those roadkills!
Replies: 18
Views: 6972

Re: Always check those roadkills!

Chrish said: The Texas Liochlorophis are tan.... Richard Worthington, in his 1973 paper summarizing the five known vouchered Texas Liochlorophis known at the time, listed three of them as being green. He listed W.B. Davis' second Austin County specimen (TCWC 10589) as having been possibly brown (i.e...
by Tom Lott
September 15th, 2014, 9:43 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Help a Midwestern out in South Tx
Replies: 2
Views: 1966

Re: Help a Midwestern out in South Tx

Winter is quite mild in deep south Texas (i.e., below a Corpus Christi-Laredo line) but it can occasionally be punctuated by a really cold blast. A few years ago I had the experience of camping out in the Lower Rio Grande Valley the week before Christmas when one day was 95F. The next morning, howev...
by Tom Lott
July 13th, 2014, 10:26 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Macro video
Replies: 6
Views: 3950

Re: Macro video

Chris and Kevin - thanks for the responses. I think that most videos shot using the on-board mic of any DSLR would suffice for voucher purposes. The manual accompanying my Nikon D7100 is less than informative concerning the specs and quality of the audio it records, but most online reviews I have re...
by Tom Lott
July 11th, 2014, 7:47 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Macro video
Replies: 6
Views: 3950

Re: Macro video

Stohlgren, That's an impressive audio rendering as well on your Hyla femoralis video. Was that achieved using the integral mike on the DSLR or were you using an external mike? I'll have to investigate the audio possibilities available with these cameras - to "kill two birds with one stone,"...
by Tom Lott
May 4th, 2014, 9:52 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: And the curse was lifted
Replies: 6
Views: 2733

Re: And the curse was lifted

Congratulations, Shane! Was that by any chance in one of those areas where they are known historically but few if any have been seen in the past few decades?

:beer:
by Tom Lott
March 4th, 2014, 8:43 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: It's been too long since we've had an in situ theme thread..
Replies: 212
Views: 837000

Re: It's been too long since we've had an in situ theme thre

Image

Broad-banded Copperhead, Atascosa County, Texas
by Tom Lott
February 20th, 2014, 9:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Anybody want to review my Aransas proposal before I submit?
Replies: 14
Views: 4206

Re: Anybody want to review my Aransas proposal before I subm

That sounds great, Chris. I've always thought that nocturnal access to that place would produce some interesting finds. The only problems I could foresee would involve: 1) mosquitoes (for the uninitiated), and 2) the continuing drought (which has dried up most of the freshwater ponds on the site, bu...
by Tom Lott
February 4th, 2014, 4:47 pm
Forum: News
Topic: TX Researching ESA Candidates, incl Lizard, Snake
Replies: 1
Views: 2695

Re: TX Researching ESA Candidates, incl Lizard, Snake

Good catch, Chris. This appears at first glance to be a case of the fox volunteering to guard the henhouse, given the near-hysterical response by the state's ruling elite to even the suggestion of federally listing the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard, which is listed (to no real effect) in adjacent New Mexic...
by Tom Lott
November 9th, 2013, 2:57 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Texas herp keeping laws?
Replies: 3
Views: 3308

Re: Texas herp keeping laws?

As far as the State of Texas is concerned, you may keep, without a permit, any venomous taxon that occurs within the boundaries of the State: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/faq/business/permits/nonindigenous_snakes/index.phtml Problems will arise, however, due to the more restrictive regulations typica...
by Tom Lott
November 7th, 2013, 9:44 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Texas herp keeping laws?
Replies: 3
Views: 3308

Re: Texas herp keeping laws?

From the Texas Reptile Expos website: "Under House Bill 12, enacted by the 80th Texas Legislature, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission is required to establish permits authorizing the possession and transportation of the following snakes: ALL non-indigenous venomous snakes African rock pyth...
by Tom Lott
September 14th, 2013, 10:43 am
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Taxonomy: The spy who loved frogs- this story is amazing!
Replies: 1
Views: 2158

Re: Taxonomy: The spy who loved frogs- this story is amazing

Fascinating indeed! Thanks for posting that link.
by Tom Lott
September 11th, 2013, 9:13 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Subocs...
Replies: 15
Views: 5678

Re: Subocs...

Toby - Congratulations on the subocs and your continued success with Senticolis. It should be interesting to see what happens as that little aberrant suboc grows - from the picts it appears to be a little smaller than the normal hatchling (or is it just my imagination)?
by Tom Lott
July 12th, 2013, 2:12 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Thamnophis eques "rediscovered" in New Mexico
Replies: 4
Views: 3015

Re: Thamnophis eques "rediscovered" in New Mexico

Mark - Thanks for posting that - I hadn't heard about it otherwise. Another example of how difficult it is to prove a negative and that "absence of evidence" isn't necessarily evidence of absence.
by Tom Lott
July 12th, 2013, 12:59 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: One year's damage
Replies: 17
Views: 3459

Re: One year's damage

Since I live on the northern edge of the Eagle Ford fracking boom area Chrish is talking about I can corroborate his observations concerning the levels of heavy trucking activity. Each of the new white dots on Chrish's "after" photo above is a drilling pad several acres in extent. The tops...
by Tom Lott
April 24th, 2013, 8:22 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Deriving and Using Coordinates with Herp Data
Replies: 20
Views: 3931

Re: Deriving and Using Coordinates with Herp Data

Excellent tutorial. Thanks for posting it.
by Tom Lott
April 5th, 2013, 10:17 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Curious suboc record
Replies: 3
Views: 1675

Curious suboc record

Although I had heard rumors about this for some time, I am curious about the first appearance of a Maverick County, Texas record for Bogertophis subocularis in the latest edition of Jim Dixon's Amphibians and Reptiles of Texas (2013). For those unfamiliar with the locality, Maverick County (Eagle Pa...
by Tom Lott
April 2nd, 2013, 9:04 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A little rain....Balcones Bingo!
Replies: 8
Views: 2573

Re: A little rain....Balcones Bingo!

Congratulations, Chris - great recording. I've found them reliably in caves all year round, since that environment doesn't change much with the seasons. During rainy spells (wishful thinking), I've even found them under limestone boulders and slabs. I have also noticed, as was pointed out by someone...
by Tom Lott
January 29th, 2013, 9:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Hans Koenig Died
Replies: 5
Views: 2669

Re: Hans Koenig Died

Richard,

Hans was 57 years old.

Tom Lott
by Tom Lott
January 8th, 2013, 4:10 pm
Forum: News
Topic: THE PLOT THICKENS (Another Snake Ban)
Replies: 10
Views: 4851

Re: Another Snake Ban; or, The Uninformed Veterinarian

Chris, The only recordings of the Conference proceedings that I know of are here: http://nraac.org/mp3/ I suspect, however, that these are the same low quality ones that you are referring to. NRAAC promised us that transcripts would also be available, but I have yet to see them. There was a gentlema...
by Tom Lott
January 8th, 2013, 11:24 am
Forum: News
Topic: THE PLOT THICKENS (Another Snake Ban)
Replies: 10
Views: 4851

Re: Another Snake Ban; or, The Uninformed Veterinarian

Seeking a bit more information concerning this action, I downloaded the pertinent regulation (PDF): http://www.co.wilson.tx.us/ips/export/sites/wilson/downloads/1998-1_Dangerous_Wild_Animals_20121126.pdf From the document: §2.01 Definitions The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter...
by Tom Lott
December 7th, 2012, 3:57 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Cleaning Up Frog Call Recordings with Audacity
Replies: 14
Views: 19046

Re: Cleaning Up Frog Call Recordings with Audacity

Chris,

That's an EXCELLENT tutorial. Thanks for taking the time to put it together and posting it; it will doubtlessly save me a few hair-pulling sessions!
by Tom Lott
August 26th, 2012, 1:30 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: trivia
Replies: 3
Views: 2391

Re: trivia

That's quite a run, but the Texas Herpetological Society (http://www."not allowed"/ths/index.html) was established in 1939, although they may have missed a few years during World War II.
by Tom Lott
August 6th, 2012, 9:56 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Do we want an Audio Lab (Herp Recording) forum?
Replies: 11
Views: 4481

Re: Do we want an Audio Lab (Herp Recording) forum?

I voted "yes" on this mainly because it interests me and I could certainly stand to improve my skills in this area. I am slightly concerned that it might be a bit too esoteric to generate enough traffic to justify its own forum, but I see no harm in undertaking the effort, at least on an e...
by Tom Lott
August 5th, 2012, 10:44 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Do we want a Frog Recording Forum? PLEASE VOTE!
Replies: 24
Views: 6445

Re: Do we want an Frog Recording Forum?

I agree with Chrish, I think an Amphibian Forum would be a long-overdue addition to the site where recording techniques, equipment, analysis, etc., could be discussed in addition to other specifically amphibian concerns. I don't always record amphibians, but when I do, I prefer that they be posted o...
by Tom Lott
May 11th, 2012, 1:57 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Eleutherodactlyus marnockii vs. E. cystignathoides
Replies: 5
Views: 2895

Re: Eleutherodactlyus marnockii vs. E. cystignathoides

Chrish, As one of the other handful of people who are interested in this topic, thanks for taking the time to put this together. I have been working on this also with another sound analysis program, but my results haven't been as illustrative as yours. I still don't completely trust my ability to au...
by Tom Lott
January 4th, 2012, 4:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Citation of DB records?
Replies: 2
Views: 1380

Citation of DB records?

Perhaps this was addressed prior to the great crash, but if so I no longer remember it and it is not covered in the FAQ:

What would be the preferred form of citing a record from the database in the print media?

(e.g., this ONE)
by Tom Lott
December 11th, 2011, 10:22 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Cycling tropical animals?
Replies: 16
Views: 3874

Re: Cycling tropical animals?

Mark, The tail-lashing behavior you described has been pronounced on all the A. bilineatus I've kept; somewhat less so on the A. taylori , which I also consider a slightly milder-tempered form (that's just my personal opinion, however; your results will vary). A. bilineatus seems to be a very "...
by Tom Lott
December 10th, 2011, 9:01 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Cycling tropical animals?
Replies: 16
Views: 3874

Re: Cycling tropical animals?

Mark, I've had A. b. bilineatus reproduce without any cooling down period (I wasn't even trying to breed them). On the other hand, I have never had any luck with A. taylori , but considering that most of those available in this country are from the northern portion of their range, a cooling period m...
by Tom Lott
October 10th, 2011, 3:43 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Rio Grande Chirping or Greenhouse?
Replies: 4
Views: 1573

Re: Rio Grande Chirping or Greenhouse?

An interesting specimen in that it seems to combine characters of both species (i.e., the vermiculated dorsal pattern of the unstriped morph of planirostris , but with the canthal shadow characteristic of cystignathoides ). Since both are known from the Baton Rouge area, I am thinking it's possibly ...
by Tom Lott
May 23rd, 2011, 4:45 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Standard English and Scientific Names — Now Online
Replies: 63
Views: 6839

Re: Standard English and Scientific Names — Now Online

We debate which published decisions to follow, and strictly avoid making taxonomic decisions ourselves. Umm . . . How, then, did we end up with " Heterodon gloydi ," which would appear to be a classic example of "Range Map Taxonomy" ( a la Collins, 1991) combined with a generous...
by Tom Lott
May 23rd, 2011, 3:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Elevational records for viridis?.....
Replies: 18
Views: 3844

Re: Elevational records for viridis?.....

Rich, We had a thread partially on this topic several years ago on the SWCHR Venomous Forum: http://southwesternherp.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1213028558 Significantly, Todd Hughes mentions seeing several at almost 12,000 ft on Mt. Phillips in northern NM back in 2002. Unfortunately though, no p...
by Tom Lott
February 28th, 2011, 4:30 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: TX HB 1788 introduced
Replies: 142
Views: 26104

Re: TX HB 1788 introduced

Gluesenkamp wrote:1) How many of you would purchase a herp stamp if one were available?

2)How many of you are from TX?
1) I would

2) I am