Lutosus and some friends.

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Jason Hull
Posts: 203
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 6:43 pm

Lutosus and some friends.

Post by Jason Hull »

Hi folks. I thought I'd post a few pics of some of the lutosus I have seen in Nevada this year, as well as some of the animals that live around them. Nothing too exciting. Most of these snakes were asleep or just taking it easy.

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Open range sheep herding is prevalent in some of the mountain ranges where the snakes exist.
These little ones were taking advantage of the limited shade in a harsh environment.

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I know it may seem boring to some but this is how I prefer to encounter rattlesnakes. Sitting still, quietly soaking up the rays.

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I like the color and pattern in this one.

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I ran across this juvi early in the spring when the night time temps were still in the 30's. When I came back two days later to look for additional snakes I noticed that the little snake had not moved but an inch.

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A few of the lizards that share the landscape.

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My favorite.

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There are a good variety of colubrids that live around and even with lutosus here in Nevada. I don't often pay much attention to them any more unless I go road cruising. An activity that is becoming increasingly popular amongst my two boys.

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My three yr. old can't get enough of it.

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One snake that I always pay attention to whenever and wherever I see them.

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A juvi from the same area.

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Same snake in habitat.

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Whipsnakes seem to prefer the same winter digs as lutosus.

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Wild mustangs are one of the larger critters that live in the hills around here.

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The Nevada desert can be tough on them also.

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These are some snakes at a spot that I have been visiting for a few years. It's cool to be able to go back year after year and see the snakes using the same digs. I attribute being able to do this to the fact that I leave the snake hook at home and do my best not to interfere with them.

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This snake is a good example. This photo was taken this spring.

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Here is the same snake getting busy in the same exact spot last spring.

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This is one of, if not the longest lutosus that I have seen.
This photo was taken at a site that has had much more direct interaction (pulling snakes out for photos mostly) from humans than the above. Three years ago I could see 15 to 20 snakes at this spot. This year I saw three.

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A Burrowing Owl that lives below the above site. One of the coolest birds IMO.

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As much as I believe that a hands off approach with Rattlesnakes is the best thing for the snakes, I also realize that some things can not be understood without the use of a more hands on approach. That kind of interaction is probably best left to those with the education and tools to make something good come out of it.

The only people that I personally know like that are the good folks at the Great Basin National Park.
Bryan does an awesome job with his Kingsnake surveys. He and his group go out of their way to involve everyone in some very cool stuff during the event.

We were lucky to radio track some lutosus and standby while a transmitter was installed in another.

Meg taking the snakes pulse after the procedure.

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Bryan doing some hands on education with some of the RMC members.

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Hope everyone is having fun out there.

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Take it easy,

Jason
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Norman D
Posts: 454
Joined: November 4th, 2010, 8:10 am
Location: Sonoran Desert

Re: Lutosus and some friends.

Post by Norman D »

Great post Jason! Love the den shots! Nice to see more hands-off approaches. Love the two horned lizards together. I agree about burrowing owls! Keep up the great work
TimCO
Posts: 891
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:27 am
Location: Colorado

Re: Lutosus and some friends.

Post by TimCO »

This is a great post. Keep those kids herping, it's the future of conservation.
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Correcamino
Posts: 444
Joined: June 10th, 2010, 12:50 pm

Re: Lutosus and some friends.

Post by Correcamino »

Great stuff Jason! :thumb:

Watch out for aliens out there!

Rich
Brian Eagar
Posts: 430
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 12:59 pm

Re: Lutosus and some friends.

Post by Brian Eagar »

Very nice post.
I liked the two horned lizard shot. Was that as found? Interesting difference in pattern for two animals from the same habitat.
The cal king in habitat was sweet also.
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Jeremy Westerman
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Joined: October 12th, 2010, 11:05 am
Location: Utah
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Re: Lutosus and some friends.

Post by Jeremy Westerman »

Great photos of your sweet spot Jason. Was great to meet you.
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Brandon La Forest
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Joined: July 6th, 2010, 2:23 pm
Location: Arizona

Re: Lutosus and some friends.

Post by Brandon La Forest »

Whoa, good stuff!

-Brandon-
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DennyZ
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Joined: June 1st, 2011, 10:33 am
Location: Reno,Nevada
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Re: Lutosus and some friends.

Post by DennyZ »

Awesome post! I keep hoping to find the great shots like you.Hopefully someday. Keep up the great work.
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Jason Hull
Posts: 203
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 6:43 pm

Re: Lutosus and some friends.

Post by Jason Hull »

Norman, Thanks. The Owls are great. I hope to check them out later this season and possibly see little ones hangin out.

Tim, Thanks man. Will do. I don't think it will be hard to keep their interest.

Rich, Thanks much. I will keep an eye open for sure. Apparently you don't even know they're there if you drink enough... until one backs his space ship into your drivers side door. :beer:

Brian, Thank you. The Horned Lizards were in the middle of the dirt road at first. When I got out they ran to the side of the road and closed their eyes. The one on top has a color pattern that I see in most of them. The red one was a first but I did see another one like that in the same area on another day. Maybe animals in breeding time color ?

Jeremy, Thanks. Good to meet you also. I'll never forget the glowing green rocks. Aragonite?

Brandon, Thank you much.

Denny, Thanks. Those animals are all around. Get a camera with a zoom and hit the dirt roads. You'll see em. Just keep at it.

Cheers,
Jason
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Jeremy Westerman
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Joined: October 12th, 2010, 11:05 am
Location: Utah
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Re: Lutosus and some friends.

Post by Jeremy Westerman »

Yeah aragonite and some calcite cave formations both fluoresce eerie green under UV light.
How long do you estimate that old giant GB rattler? 4 feet? he looks stout and long for sure.
Glad to see the R.V. enthusiasts haven't discovered your sweet spot yet even though it is close, I cringe at the day when you tell us the inevitable bad news.
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RCampbell
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Joined: June 10th, 2010, 6:45 am
Location: wherever poikilotherms can be found

Re: Lutosus and some friends.

Post by RCampbell »

THANK YOU!!!!!


A much needed fix of my favorite stuff...I miss home and the company!


Dude, what are you feeding the boys?!!!! They are getting HUGE!

-Riley
cameron.rognan
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Joined: August 12th, 2011, 11:36 am
Location: St. George, Utah
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Re: Lutosus and some friends.

Post by cameron.rognan »

Great post. I love all the naturally posed lutosus shots.
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