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Reptiles & Amphibians

Another Timber!

21 years ago

Yesterday Herpfriend and my two sons went to a new spot for us in central Missouri. Not a large number of snakes but a nice variety.

Totals,

2 ring-necked snakes

3 eastern yelly-bellied racers

1 red milk snake

1 eastern hog-nose snake

1 timber rattlesnake

lots of skinks

2 broadheaded skinks, large male and female together

1 western slender glass lizard

The glass lizard was only about 10 inches. It was the first time I observed one going through the grass and getting a good look at it without catching it. Thought it was the tail of a ribbon snake at first.

Herpfriend found the hog-nose under a rock out in the sun. He has a theory why some are found under rocks this time of the year.

The timber was a real surprise! I was going up a very steep hill when I went under some branches and there about six feet ahead and about two over was a timber coiled up. I think I just happened to look at the very spot where it was. If I hadn't seen it I would have went very close to where it was plus the head was pointing in my direction. It looked to be about 40 inches and had 11 or 12 rattles depending if you count the last one. Can't explain my luck with timbers this year since this is the first year I have found them!

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Comments (5)

wayne_mo
21 years ago
That's awesome Gary! You're having a great year for Timbers.

I was out for 4 hours yesterday and found just one ringneck snake and a few assorted pond turtles so your numbers look pretty good to me, especially considering a timber was in the mix!
mitchell_m
21 years ago
Very cool, Gary. The only timber I've seen this year was at Snake Road, and even then I only saw its head. Still looking for my first hognose of the year as well.

Must have been pretty cool to see the timber out in the open like that.
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evantn
21 years ago
Herpfriend (or Gary),

What's your theory on why you're finding hognose snakes under rocks this time of year? It's been many years since I've seen one. Thanks.

Evan
herpfriend
21 years ago
My theory is that the hognose under rocks are females and are searching for a place to lay their eggs. My theory wasn't true with the hognose we found last Sunday. It was a female, but it did not appear to be gravid. Although, it may have already laid its eggs. It's a little early, but you never know.
wayne_mo
21 years ago
herpfriend,

I think your theory is probably correct. The hognose we found under a rock this spring was definitely a gravid female.

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May be a long shot. Snake skin ID

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