Reptiles – 2007 Checklist
I decided to split up my 2007 Nature Checklist into 5 different categories; Butterflies & Skippers, Amphibians, Reptiles, Mammals and Birds! Reptiles (6) are the next family in my series of species that I have kept track of within Western New York State.
Common Garter Snake
I did not have as many Reptiles this year as in previous years. Not sure why but just wasn’t my year for Wood Turtles or Spiny Soft-shells. My first turtle for 2007 was a Painted Turtle on the 2nd of May 2007 along ASP Rt. 2. The most common snakes observed this year was the Common Garter Snakes where I had an up close look at one, pooped on by one and then saw one being eaten by the Broad-winged Hawk. I will let Nick show me what a Short-headed Garter Snake looks like so I am not overlooking these guys (and get a lifer mammal)!
Northern Water Snake in the road.
Here is my list of reptiles which I have listed in taxonomic order by common name (I would be happy to send you their Latin name for any species in question):
| 1. Common Snapping Turtle | 4. Red-bellied Snake |
| 2. Eastern Painted Turtle | 5. Eastern Garter Snake |
| 3. Northern Water Snake | 6. N. Ring-necked Snake |
Painted Turtle on a log
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You saw more snakes than me this past year! Very cool, Tom!
2 January 2008 at 7:31 pm
Your pictures have inspired me to try to get pictures this year of all the turtles and snakes I see. This will be fun. There is a snake that is endangered here in IN that is in the southern part of our county. I am racking my brain (easy to do) to remember what it is called. Anyway I saw one last year. It was exciting at the time. I usually get too excited to take pictures when I see something new. I am easily awed by nature.
2 January 2008 at 7:47 pm
This is one I’m definitely not envious of. Thankfully, I’ve never seen a snake in my yard.
2 January 2008 at 8:05 pm
@ Pam – thanks but Reptiles could have been better!
@ Lisa – thanks and I sure hope you are able to and would love to see your photos throughout the year! Is it one of the rattlesnakes?
@ Robin – LOL, wasn’t expecting many to enjoy this post!
2 January 2008 at 8:32 pm
You KNOW me loves my reptiles, too :o) All of them. Snakes, whatever.
2 January 2008 at 9:56 pm
We found out this year we have copperheads and cottonmouths in the area (besides the more benign garters.) My next year’s hiking gear includes high top boots!
2 January 2008 at 10:17 pm
Didn’t show this one to Noreen. I don’t need her looking over her shoulder at camp this year!! Well Done.
2 January 2008 at 11:56 pm
I thought I did a pretty good job of getting out and about in the natural world, but your lists and photos are beginning to make me feel like a couch potato.
3 January 2008 at 1:52 am
@ Mary – thanks – 🙂
@ Lana – wow, never seen anyof those two species before! Thanks
@ Mike – sounds like a great idea! Thanks
@ Marvin – thanks but could have done better! Couch Potato?? I doubt that!
3 January 2008 at 7:25 am
You’re inspiring me to keep better track of what I see as well as to take more pictures. It’s too easy otherwise to get to the end of the year and forget how many species I encountered and animals I interacted with.
3 January 2008 at 8:03 am
Nice photos Tom, usually when I see a snake it’s the tail end as it heads off into the long grass!
3 January 2008 at 11:18 am
Great idea with breaking down the lists. Great photos too.
3 January 2008 at 12:54 pm
I’ll have to get pictures once things warm up again. I didn’t have a digicam this past Summer…
3 January 2008 at 4:31 pm
Wow, lots of great pictures and lists. Snakes don’t put me off. The best thing about hiking is all the wildlife one encounters. I’m so envious.
3 January 2008 at 6:45 pm
@ Wren – how wonderful and I sure hope you do take the pictures and keep the list!
@ Sherri – thanks and many times that’s what I find!
@ Patrick – thanks
@ Lana – thanks and hope you have one now!
@ Gloria – thanks and those are the best parts for sure!
4 January 2008 at 12:22 pm
That Garter Snake has the evil eye. cool photos!
4 January 2008 at 8:31 pm
Beautiful photos. The only way to shoot a reptile is with a camera! My lifer this year is the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake which I blogged about earlier in the year.
4 January 2008 at 10:27 pm
It isn’t a rattle snake. I am thinking it was a copper belly (not copperhead) or a ‘something’ belly. Gosh, this is one reason I don’t write too much about reptiles etc becasue I don’tknow what most things are. It is also why I am facinated about them too. They are mysterious.
6 January 2008 at 8:28 pm
@ Lvn600 – thanks
@ TR – thanks and great Rattlesnake!
@ Lisa – Could be and mysterious is a great way to keep it, right?
6 January 2008 at 11:39 pm