Gene's notes

For the first time in more than a decade, we have had a January that actually felt like winter. Most nights have been cold, about half below 20 degrees F. As would be expected, herp activity has been almost non-existent. I heard a couple of hardy Upland Chorus Frogs one day early in the month, but they have been silent since then.

Lining up work on the completion of our new home has occupied much of my free time this month. Much progress was made.

On the last day of the month, I traveled to Columbia to attend the First Annual All SC Herpetology Conference. It was a great meeting. I have posted a report on the meeting. An important Southeast PARC meeting will be held in Ridgeland, SC at the end of Februrary.

Gene Ott

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Joey's notes

Monday (12-29-03), Found a Five-Line Skink and Upland Chorus Frogs under cover, on campus. Later, as it warmed, Green Anoles basked. Took a class to the creek. We found a aquatic worm/larvae of some sort. We offered it to the Glossy Crayfish Snake. He ate it. Later we returned and got some small crayfish, as a more legitimate meal.

Tuesday (12-30-03), Anoles bask again

Wednesday (12-31-03), At work, I see may last herps of 2003, Green Anoles basking.

Thursday (1-1-04), Happy New Year! At work, I see my first herps of 2004, Green Anoles basking.

Friday (1-2-04), More Anoles bask! Wow! Anoles!

Saturday (1-3-04), I flipped the tin here at home ANOLES! GROUND SKINKS!

Sunday (1-4-04), At sunset I went to the pond. I heard no frog calls but did find a male American Toad and several small Bullfrogs. Peering into the water, Red-Spotted Newts and Bullfrog tadpoles slowly cruised around. Under rubbish, a Slimy Salamander, MORE ANOLES, and GROUND SKINKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really do love the little beasts. Really.

SNAKES CAUGHT IN 2003:

• Northern Water Snake.......................................................7
• Midland Water Snake......................................................11
• Redbelly Water Snake.....................................................10
• Banded Water Snake.........................................................1
• Brown Water Snake...........................................................1
• Eastern Garter Snake..........................................................1
• Eastern Ribbon Snake........................................................1
• Smooth Earth Snake...........................................................6
• Brown Snake.......................................................................7
• Red-Bellied Snake..............................................................8
• Southern Ringneck Snake.................................................25
• Eastern Worm Snake.........................................................32
• Black Racer.......................................................................20
• Corn (Red Rat) Snake.........................................................2
• Black Rat Snake..................................................................9
• Mole King Snake................................................................4
• Eastern King Snake...........................................................13
• Copperhead.........................................................................7
• Cottonmouth.......................................................................2

166 snakes of 19 varieties! Fair numbers!

First snake of 2003 was a Redbellied Snake found on 2-3-03

Herping was mainly across South Carolina. I did have a little time out west and visited, even hunted briefly in other states but without results. I visited 37 SC counties and caught my first snakes in Abbeville, Anderson, Bamburg, Georgetown, Lancaster, and Lexington Counties.

Saw the expected Frogs, Salamanders, Lizards, Turtles, and Alligators.

Much thanks to those who provided herping companionship! I was able to spend time afield with some wonderful folks. My deepest appreciation and respect.

January 5, 2004, A nice warm day, with shorts and t-shirt being comfortable. Around campus we found Green Anoles, Ground Skinks, and Upland Chorus Frogs.

January 13, 2004, Warm again. Shorts and t-shirt! I stopped by the pond after work and found my first snake of 2004, a Northern Brown Snake! I also saw a Ground Skink and watched a Cooper’s Hawk chase a flock of Hooded Mergansers. Really cool!

January 14, 2004, Anoles still basking.

January 19, 2004, Anoles basking.

January 25, 2004, Freezing rain and sleet started across much of SC.

January 26, 2004, Freezing rain and sleet continued. Many areas of SC lost power, many schools were out, and travel was risky.

January 27, 2004, Conditions are still bad, school is still out.

January 28, 2004, School is out for the third day in a row.

January 31, 2004, I attended the SC Herpetology Conference at the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia. Nice meeting. Good speakers/presenters. Saw a lot of old friends and made a few new ones.

So that is about it for January. Not much to say. Hope everyone is staying warm and getting ready for spring.

Joey Holmes