The Virginia Herpetological Society's 2009 scarlet kingsnake blitz was a huge success! While we didn't find as many scarletkings as we would of liked (ok so actually we didn't find any), we still spent the weekend in a beautiful park, had good weather, good food, great people and lots of land to herp. We also had several new participants, all of which were a pleasure to meet and herp with.

We would like to thank Jason Gibson of the VHS for organizing the event. The staff at Smith Mountain Lake State Park for their assistance and hospitality, especially Nature Interpreter, Lauri Schular for sharing her knowledge, enthusiasm and guidance. Thanks, to all the members that were able to attend and all survey participants.

The survey produced a total of 26 species, including 4 county records!

Amphibians
Acris creptians
Anaxyrus americanus
Hyla versicolor *
Hyla chrysoscelis *
Pseudacris crucifer crucifer
Lithobates catesbeianus
Lithobates clamitans
Ambystoma maculatum
Ambystoma opacum *
Desmognathus fucus
Desmognathus monticola
Eurycea cirrigera
Hemidactylium scutatum
Pseudotrition ruber
Reptiles
Chelydra serpentina serpentina
Terrapene carolina carolina
Plestiodon fasciatus
Scleoporus undulatus
Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen
Carphophis amoenus amoenus
Coluber constrictor constrictor
Diadophis punctatus
Nerodia sipedon sipedon
Regina septemvittata
Pantherophis alleghaniensis
Virginia valeriae *
* = New County Record for Bedford Co.

During the survey we had an unique opportunity. Both gray treefrogs, Hyla versicolor and Hyla chrysoscelis were calling and this allowed us to positively identify these two identical treefrogs based on their different calls.

Hyla versicolor
Hyla chrysoscelis
Hyla chrysoscelis (top)
Hyla versicolor (bottom)
A juvenile Eastern Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) eating a Gray Treefrog (Hyla unlucky)
A juvenile Eastern Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) eating a Gray Treefrog (Hyla unlucky)
A recently metamorphosed Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)
           
Eastern Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis)
Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans)
Northern Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber ruber)
Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)
Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum)
Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)

 

Q: How many Herpetologists does it take to put up a tent?

A: Apparently, more than three.

 

Mike with a large Eastern Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis)

 

Page 2