Stumbled Upon a Snake

[Stu]

A few weeks ago we were geocaching in Lebanon, and right by the old rusted out Cadillac (I think it's a Cadillac) there's a clearing. My friend was poking around there when he froze up and called me over. I saw this cute lil' guy just as frozen as my friend. I haven't been up to date on my snakes for a few years, but isn't this a pine snake? I think it was about 3 feet long. Didn't move at all until we walked away.

 

[bobpbx]

Yes, a pine snake. But, he looks all of 5 feet long Stu.

 

[uuglypher]

I can't begin to tell you how it makes me feel to know folks are now taking pictures of snakes they find in the Pines instead of catching them or killing them.

It speaks well for our species and is cause for hope!

That pretty pine snake damned near brought a tear to my eye...

Dave

Yes, a pine snake. But, he looks all of 5 feet long Stu.

 

[Stu]

I freak out when people try to kill spiders at my job. I jump up, catch them, and let them go outside. I don't see how anyone could kill anything on the basis of "it's icky".

 

[Teegate]

I can't begin to tell you how it makes me feel to know folks are now taking pictures of snakes they find in the Pines instead of catching them or killing them.

It speaks well for our species and is cause for hope!

That pretty pine snake damned near brought a tear to my eye...

Dave

Then you should like these. By the way, that is Bob with the white hat, and Jeff with the glasses.

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/teegate/main.php/download/419-1/IMG_5398.jpg

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/teegate/main.php/download/422-1/IMG_5399.jpg

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/teegate/main.php/download/425-1/IMG_5400.jpg

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/teegate/main.php/download/428-1/IMG_5402.jpg

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/teegate/main.php/download/467-1/IMG_5405_001.jpg

Guy

 

[uuglypher]

Oh yeah, I do like those !

I gotta ask, Guy; when you and Bob and Jeff catch and photograph 'em do you measure, weigh, sex, and mark 'em before release? Is there any such catch&mark program in NJ for herps? A lot of really useful info could be accumulated on populations of these beautiful critters if a willing cadre of field-savvy volunteers were to take just a little extra effort and keep accurate records.

And I do appreciate being able to match-up some names (Bob and Jeff) with faces! Should I assume that you, Guy, are the photographer? Many thanks.

By the bye, I've tried to get into the membership file to find out more about the folks I've just recently been meeting, but I can't access it. Am I just too much of a cybercretin or is it just not accessible?

Best t'y'all, and thanks again.

Dave Graham

Then you should like these. By the way, that is Bob with the white hat, and Jeff with the glasses.

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/teegate/main.php/download/419-1/IMG_5398.jpg

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/teegate/main.php/download/422-1/IMG_5399.jpg

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/teegate/main.php/download/425-1/IMG_5400.jpg

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/teegate/main.php/download/428-1/IMG_5402.jpg

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/teegate/main.php/download/467-1/IMG_5405_001.jpg

Guy

 

[woodjin]

The pinelands commission keeps tabs on endangered flora and fauna as they need to in determining various zoning areas for potential developers and/or homeowners looking to expand. I know someone who works for the commission in the feild and she is often looking for pine snake and rattler populations. I suspect the DEP looks into this stuff and I often see Rutgers University vans around conducting research. Bob, Guy and I haven't measured, taged or recorded info about these snakes. Our encounters with snakes tend to be more by chance than by intention. Bobbleton might have recorded some, maybe NJsnakeman...i don't know.

 

[bobpbx]

There are big studies going on all the time. One is over on the Oswego River in back of the Warren Grove Bombing Range. I believe it is Temple or some other college looking at all the data on rattlers and pine snakes. Bob Zappalorti from Herpelogical Associates is always busy too. NJ has a Natural Heritage site database that shows where the important snake hibernaculums (sp?) are.

 

[Bobbleton]

Nice pinesnake, stu . . . seems the snakes are around and its just a matter of coming across them.

I know they're keeping tabs on pines, rattlers, and corn snakes in south jersey in a number of places, but I've never come across a program that allowed participation to the point of recording that type of data on snakes.

Although I know everytime you see a pinesnake, corn, rattler, or any endangered or threatened animal (pinesnakes are threatened and the other two endangered) you're supposed to submit a report to the dep:

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/rprtform.htm

its for their general tracking of endangered species . . . population help, etc.

-Bob

 

[Stu]

I would love to see a corn snake in the wild, though I know the odds are low. That's my favorite. Always liked king snakes too.

 

[Teegate]

And I do appreciate being able to match-up some names (Bob and Jeff) with faces! Should I assume that you, Guy, are the photographer? Many thanks.

By the bye, I've tried to get into the membership file to find out more about the folks I've just recently been meeting, but I can't access it. Am I just too much of a cybercretin or is it just not accessible?
Dave Graham

Yes I took them. And Ben has the members directory disabled.

Guy

 

[Teegate]

Although I know everytime you see a pinesnake, corn, rattler, or any endangered or threatened animal (pinesnakes are threatened and the other two endangered) you're supposed to submit a report to the dep:

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/rprtform.htm

its for their general tracking of endangered species . . . population help, etc.

-Bob

Nice link Bob. I think I will save that one in the event I run into one again.

Guy

 

[Stu]

Speaking of snakes...

had a black rat snake cross the road right in front of me by Mt. Misery today. I didn't notice it and thought it was a stick until the last second. Fortunately I swerved in time and missed it.