Eastern Narrowmouth Toads (Gastrophryne carolinensis) have been calling vigorously from the U-Shaped Pond at Flap the Wings in Catch the Wind as well as from the Wetlands down in Explore the Wild. They can be very difficult to locate. I’ve looked for them many times while they called just feet away from me and could not see a one. Have a look yourself next time you’re in Catch the Wind and tell me what you find. Here’s what they lookRead more
Posts filed in: Herps
Hylidae are Active!
Northern Cricket Frogs, Green Treefrogs, and Cope’s Gray Treefrogs are all active and calling. The daily showers that we’ve been experiencing lately have moved this family of small frogs to think of romance, or at least to mate. So, when you’re hiking around the trails listen for the “click-click-click” of the cricket frog, the “quonck-quonck-quonck” of the green treefrog, and the bird-like “berrrrrrilll, berrrrrilll” of the gray treefrog. Have fun!Read more
Battling Behemoths
It’s spring and the snapping turtles are feeling the urge. I’m not sure if these two snappers ever connected, whether they actually got together and mated, but one of them was seen hauled out on a rock later the same day. For a somewhat blow-by-blow description of what mating snapping turtles go through to reproduce, click here.Read more
Don’t Tread On Me!
When a Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) hears, or feels, you coming its way it generally freezes. They often stop their forward motion and wait for you to pass by, relying on their cryptic coloration to hide them from your view, you being a potential predator. Most folks pass right by Copperheads, unseen. Some people accidentally step on these docile snakes for the same reason (they don’t see them), causing the snakes to react with a bit to the leg. And ofRead more
Spring Happenings
There’s been much excitement over the past few days about the Red Wolves and the expected new residents here at the Museum. In the next few days many of you will hike out to the Red Wolf Exhibit to check on our female (1287) to see how she’s doing. I don’t blame you, I’ve been spending a lot of time watching the wolves my self lately. There’s been many changes in our female’s behavior and appearance of late. So, by allRead more
A Few Migrants and a Snake Reappears
If you know what the bird in the photo is, good for you! It’s a migrant. I only see this species over the Museum in the spring and fall, and there’s usually only ONE that I do see each season. They typically circle the Wetlands once or twice and move on. It’s an Osprey. On Saturday (4/2/11) I saw the first swallow of the season, a Northern Rough-winged Swallow. There have been many other swallow sightings in our area, butRead more
The Cycle Continues
Spring is moving right along here at the Museum. More insects are being seen, frogs and toads breeding, and turtles are out basking with ever more frequency. It can’t be stopped. There’s no turning back. It’s cold and rainy today (3/31), but once the low pressure system (two lows, in fact) that’s causing all of this wet weather passes our area, spring will continue the way it always has. The trees will proceed to leaf-out, birds will arrive from theirRead more