Photo Phriday 7
#7317169
07/30/21 09:02 AM
07/30/21 09:02 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,658 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
OP
"On The Other Hand"
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OP
"On The Other Hand"
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,658
Idaho, Lemhi County
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Other than Alaska, Idaho probably has fewer species of herpetofauna than any other state in the US. However, some of those species are indeed pretty cool, in my opinion. I've been doing more looking this past week. The western skink, Plestiodon skiltonianus, with an impossibly electric blue tail... and the northern alligator lizard, Elgaria coerulea.
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Re: Photo Phriday 7
[Re: Gulo]
#7317214
07/30/21 10:16 AM
07/30/21 10:16 AM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,420 Montana ,Rocky Mtns.
Sharon
"American Honey"
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"American Honey"
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,420
Montana ,Rocky Mtns.
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Jack ! Ping ! That skink is cool . FLA has those too, with the same electric blue tails, and the old adults have red heads. I used to catch those. Haven't seen them here . But those gator lizards ! I like seeing them and they are real easy to catch. Look what I have for you ! Caught him last Monday. He lives in the underbrush and is seen on occasion. Last Monday, I had the time and chance to catch him and get you some shots. Unlike the big one I had basically tame from multiple catches, which was easily again his length, this one is around 13 inches, a small one. Most of these don't try to bite, just struggle for a minute or so till they realize they aren't going to be eaten. This character, howevah, was rather rude at times. He twice tried to sink his wee teeth into my hand . How rude....but even himself, after a few minutes calmed down and I was able to get these pics . To me, he isn't as pretty as the big one , his colours seem more dull and muddy. On the surface....face to the wind....
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Re: Photo Phriday 7
[Re: Gulo]
#7317246
07/30/21 11:00 AM
07/30/21 11:00 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,658 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
OP
"On The Other Hand"
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OP
"On The Other Hand"
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,658
Idaho, Lemhi County
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Range and Sharon -
Great shots! Your last image, Sharon, is perfect for figuring out which species of garter snake (you probably have 2 different species). The one pictured is western terrestrial because of the 8 upper labial scales (those on the upper side of the mouth), with scales #6 and #7 taller and bigger than the others. I'm also seeing a rubber boa in your near future...
Jack
Last edited by Gulo; 07/30/21 11:01 AM.
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Re: Photo Phriday 7
[Re: Gulo]
#7317272
07/30/21 11:31 AM
07/30/21 11:31 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,096 7mtns of CENTRAL PA
GROUSEWIT
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,096
7mtns of CENTRAL PA
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We been picking huckleberries for six weeks now and never saw a snake let alone a rattler till yesterday. Walked within 3ft of first 2!! They sorta blend in!!! Just saying.
Last edited by GROUSEWIT; 07/30/21 11:34 AM. Reason: Add info
NRALIFER,PRPA LIFER,HUNTER,FURTAKER
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Re: Photo Phriday 7
[Re: Gulo]
#7317310
07/30/21 12:18 PM
07/30/21 12:18 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,420 Montana ,Rocky Mtns.
Sharon
"American Honey"
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"American Honey"
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,420
Montana ,Rocky Mtns.
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Range and Sharon -
Great shots! Your last image, Sharon, is perfect for figuring out which species of garter snake (you probably have 2 different species). The one pictured is western terrestrial because of the 8 upper labial scales (those on the upper side of the mouth), with scales #6 and #7 taller and bigger than the others. I'm also seeing a rubber boa in your near future...
Jack Fascinating info and observation, Jack. You have me counting those upper mouth scales now So, now, I'm gonna conclude that every time I catch a western terrestrial , I will assume complete rudeness to an inappreciable degree from it .... My search for my first boa continues.
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Re: Photo Phriday 7
[Re: Gulo]
#7317318
07/30/21 12:27 PM
07/30/21 12:27 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 682 SD
Tray
"Wilson Jr."
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"Wilson Jr."
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 682
SD
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Re: Photo Phriday 7
[Re: Gulo]
#7317319
07/30/21 12:29 PM
07/30/21 12:29 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 682 SD
Tray
"Wilson Jr."
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"Wilson Jr."
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 682
SD
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Interesting on the Western Terrestrial snake, ones I’ve seen here seem to have a lot more striking pattern to them.
Last edited by Tray; 07/30/21 12:33 PM.
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Re: Photo Phriday 7
[Re: GROUSEWIT]
#7317321
07/30/21 12:30 PM
07/30/21 12:30 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,131 The Hill Country of Texas
Leftlane
"HOSS"
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"HOSS"
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,131
The Hill Country of Texas
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We been picking huckleberries for six weeks now and never saw a snake let alone a rattler till yesterday. Walked within 3ft of first 2!! They sorta blend in!!! Just saying. Dang GW- if the dead leaves were just a tiny bit wet (darker) those things would blend in so well you'd roll yer ankle and get bit before you saw what you had stepped on.
“What’s good for me may not be good for the weak minded.” Captain Gus McCrae- Texas Rangers
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Re: Photo Phriday 7
[Re: Gulo]
#7317389
07/30/21 02:11 PM
07/30/21 02:11 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,658 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
OP
"On The Other Hand"
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OP
"On The Other Hand"
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,658
Idaho, Lemhi County
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Lee - -
Yes. Pretty cool method the skinks (and certain other lizards, salamanders, and geckos) have developed for predator evasion. They can pinch off their tails, which usually wriggle and flop for several minutes after they fall off, which distracts the predator and often allows the skink to escape. They will grow another tail, but the new one is usually a bit shorter than the first. Variously called autotomy or self-amputation. There are supposedly 6 different species of skinks in Kansas, but you're probably seeing the Common Five-lined Skink most often. They are a different species than we have in Idaho, but look very similar.
Jack
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Re: Photo Phriday 7
[Re: white17]
#7317543
07/30/21 07:22 PM
07/30/21 07:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,658 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
OP
"On The Other Hand"
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OP
"On The Other Hand"
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,658
Idaho, Lemhi County
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I recall seeing some common skanks around Mud Lake and Leadore but don't recall the blue tails You probably just saw those skanks when they were happy (who wouldn't be, with white17 around?). When they are unhappy (i.e. "blue") is when their tails turn. Jack
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