This past weekend I took a big herping road trip through Missouri and Illinois. Our main goal was to find a ringed salamander. But before that, we explored some Glades.
The most common inhabitants could be found, all of which were lifers for me.
Prairie Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus arnyi) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Prairie Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus arnyi) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Lined Snake (Tropidoclonion lineatum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Dwarf American Toad (Bufo americanus charlesmithi) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Three-toed Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina triunguis) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Western Slimy Salamander (Plethodon albagula) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
8 by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
After that, we went over to a vernal to try for annulatum. On the way to the pond, we spotted this ribbon.
Western Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis proximus proximus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
There wasn't much to flip, but frogs were abundant, including this lifer.
Plains Leopard Frog (Rana blairi) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
After awhile of fruitless searching, we began to get discouraged. Then I spotted these under the edge of a log...
Ringed Salamander (Ambystoma annulatum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
That motivated us to look more. Eventually, Daniel found one under a dry dusty log about 30 feet from the pond!
Ringed Salamander (Ambystoma annulatum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
At this point we were ecstatic, everything from here was bonus. We packed up and headed down to Southern Illinois.
The road wasn't quite as productive as it had been in my last two visits, but we still had a great time and found some cool herps.
Western Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis proximus proximus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Western Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorous leucostoma) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Yellow-bellied Water Snake (Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Yellow-bellied Water Snake (Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster) in Defensive Display by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Cave Salamanders (Eurycea lucifiga) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Western Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis proximus proximus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus aestivus) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Thanks for looking,
-Zach
Herping MO/IL: annulatum, and more!
Moderator: Scott Waters
- ThatFrogGuy
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Re: Herping MO/IL: annulatum, and more!
Your scorpion is Centruoides vittatus, the Striped Bark scorpion.
-Kris
-Kris
- ThatFrogGuy
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Re: Herping MO/IL: annulatum, and more!
Yea, I had it labeled on flickr but for some reason it didn't show up here..hmm. Thanks anyway.
Re: Herping MO/IL: annulatum, and more!
That annulatum is beautiful! Very cool. I don't currently have the freedom or funds to do a road trip, but boy, would I have loved to see that!
Re: Herping MO/IL: annulatum, and more!
Great photography work. That annulatum is one amazing Ambystomatid!
-Jake
-Jake
- ThatFrogGuy
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Re: Herping MO/IL: annulatum, and more!
Thanks guys!
- Rich in Reptiles
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Re: Herping MO/IL: annulatum, and more!
That defensive display in the Nerodia is really awesome! Anti-predator displays really fascinate me! Nice set of photos!
- MattSullivan
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Re: Herping MO/IL: annulatum, and more!
gotta love that ringed sal and the baby cotton