reptiles

Snake Tracks Field Report for Zoe 8-3-12

Posted on by Stevo

Snake Tracks Field Report for Zoe 8-3-12

I apologize that this post is a bit late. Again this was due to technical difficulties beyond my control (sick modem).

Due to the length of both Zoe and Utsanati’s locates and videos on this locate day I will be posting their locates separately.

On August 03 I started my snake hunt near Zoe’s last location in the field. Her signal showed me that she had seemed to have moved up above the waterfall so I decided to drive around the mountain and drop in from the top. I thought that this route would be easier–boy was I ever wrong. After arriving near the top of the mountain and realizing that I had no signal I decided that I would hike down to the waterfall and find her signal on the way down. I started on what was a well groomed trail but it quickly closed in and disappeared entirely giving way to thick laurels and chin high shrubs–thank goodness for snake chaps.

After awhile I came out on the old trail to the falls. It was easy going and after awhile I arrived near the top of the falls where I explored the rock outcrops and rock shelter before making my way to the bottom of the falls. After cooling off in the creek I again picked up Zoe’s signal and headed off toward her location. I was a bit miffed at myself because her signal led me once again to the field–where I had just located her signal about an hour before. Next time I will start from her last location as I usually do.

I followed her signal through the field, past the large maples on the hill, and into my friends Dave and Christina’s yard! Zoe’s signal put her in a deep gully just below a trail. I was unable to physically access her location due to the steepness of the slope and the obvious danger of falling on a rattlesnake! I needed to collect my data so Dave and I rigged a rope to a large tree and I used it to lower myself down the steep embankment to get closer to Zoe.

I found her coiled on the surface in a resting coil. She looked very healthy and never moved or rattled despite the fact that three noisy humans were only a few feet away.

It is very interesting to note that Zoe has visited Dave and Christina before! About a year ago Christina took a video of Zoe only about 15 feet from where I found her today. This just shows that Timber rattlesnakes, like box turtles, are creatures of habit and they follow the same paths year after year!

I collected my data, climbed back up the mountain and said goodbye to Zoe the Timber rattlesnake.

Zoe’s Danger Level is a 5 due to her close proximity to human habitation.

I again located Zoe on 8-8-12 and she was in the same position as on 8-3-12.

For all the details of this snake hunt take a look at the video below. Keep in mind that it is the extended version of my trek. I wanted to show you some of what it takes to keep track of these snakes in their native habitat. Also keep in mind that I am not paid to do this research–this is a volunteer project that I am undertaking to learn all that I can about these amazing animals and to further educate you about their beauty, uniqueness and value to a healthy forest ecosystem.

Watch the video below for details and vision of the last locate day for Zoe.

If you would like to support the Snake Tracks Timber Rattlesnake wildlife conservation, research, and education project and/or Earthshine Nature Programs please feel free to donate using this link. Receipts available upon request. THANK YOU!!

Rise Against Rattlesnake Roundups

Posted on by Stevo

Please watch this video and then you decide if rattlesnakes are “the most dangerous animal in the world” as the promoters of Rattlesnake Roundups and Animal Planet states that they are.

Rattlesnakes are not the evil, vicious killing machines that the Roundups, TV shows and movies make them out to be.  They just want to be left alone so they can live and do their part in rodent control.

Please do all that you can to end the senseless killing of rattlesnakes.

If you are on Facebook please consider joining the Rise Against Rattlesnake Roundups group to help spread the word against Rattlesnake Roundups.

Snake Tracks Update for 7-20-12

Posted on by Stevo

I apologize that this post is a bit late. This was due to technical difficulties beyond my control. Unfortunately, due to these issues I have not been able to locate Utsanati and Zoe as often as I would have liked over the last few weeks.

On July 20th I started my snake hunt rather late in the day. Finding Zoe was a bit difficult because of a bouncing transmitter signal. I finally located her only a few hundred feet to the southeast from the collapsed barn where I had found her sheltering on the previous locate day. She was coiled in a resting coil under a small Mountain Laurel shrub at the edge of the forest/field. She looked very plump. It is possible that she had recently eaten a large meal but also possible that she is gravid (pregnant). Only time will tell.

I then drove around the mountain to look for Utsanati. When I arrived at my parking spot the clouds opened up and the poured the rain for about 15 minuets while I waited it out. By the time the rain ended it was getting quite dark but I needed to find Utsanati so I headed into the dark, wet forest. Utsanati’s signal was leading me toward his last winter’s hibernation site…but he was not there. I trekked over the steep north side of the mountain through dense rain-soaked undergrowth and slick moss covered logs. Finally, I located Utsanati in the power-line access way that bisects the north slope. He was coiled under some low growing vegetation in a resting coil. He had moved a great distance over the last few days and seemed to be doing well.  I believe that he was in the access-way because it offers plenty of sun during the day for thermo-regulation and excellent cover for reptiles and rodents because of the piles of cut limbs and saplings left by the power companies pruning foray back in the spring.

After locating Utsanati I had an interesting trip up the mountain through the saturated dark forest and when I finally arrived back at my truck it was close to 10pm and I was exhausted but glad to know that both snakes were doing well.

For all the details of this snake hunt take a look at the video below. Keep in mind that it is the extended version of my trek. I wanted to show you some of what it takes to keep track of these snakes in their native habitat. Also keep in mind that I am not paid to do this research–this is a volunteer project that I am undertaking to learn all that I can about these amazing animals and to further educate you about their beauty, uniqueness and value to a healthy forest ecosystem.

Watch the video below for details and vision of the last locate day for Zoe and Utsanati.

If you would like to support the Snake Tracks Timber Rattlesnake wildlife conservation, research, and education project and/or Earthshine Nature Programs please feel free to donate using this link. Receipts available upon request. THANK YOU!!

Snake Tracks Update for 7.14.12

Posted on by Stevo

Great News!  Utsanati has recovered from his transmitter adjustment surgery and I have released him back into his habitat!  After spending the last month in captivity, having minor surgery, teaching over 200 children and adults about the beautiful and greatly misunderstood Timber rattlesnake and eating six mice and one small rabbit (not all at the same time) he was really ready to go home yesterday when I released him at his June capture location–the woodpile.  Upon his release I could tell that he knew exactly where he was as he quickly moved off into the hidden depths of the woodpile.  I do not know if he will stay around the area of the woodpile since the protective tarp has been removed.  I will locate him again in a day or so to verify his position.

Zoe has moved down off the ridge above the waterfall, moved across the abandoned fields and creek and was sheltering under a collapsed pole barn shed.  I have not seen Zoe in over a month due to the fact that on the last three or four locate days she has been under various types of cover that I could not safely navigate through to find her for two reasons: I did not want to disturb her and I did not want to risk getting bitten.  I believe that she has been laying low due to the record setting heat wave that the area has been subjected to over the last few weeks.

Watch the video below for details and vision of the last locate day for Zoe and Utsanati.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25HLegWNWwc

If you would like to support the Snake Tracks Timber Rattlesnake wildlife conservation, research, and education project and/or Earthshine Nature Programs please feel free to donate using this link. Receipts available upon request. THANK YOU!!

Rattlesnakes Need Our Help

Posted on by Stevo

Hello friends,

You all know how I feel about Rattlesnakes. Not only are they part of a healthy ecosystem but they have a place in this world, a place in the wild doing what rattlesnakes do–control rodent populations and provide food for other animals.  They are not evil creatures that are out to hunt down and ruthlessly kill people.  They are peaceful, solitary creatures that prefer to be left alone but they will protect themselves if threatened with harm.  So would I.

Statistics show that only about 12 people per year die from venomous snake bite in the US.  However, for the 2011 year, 26 people were killed by lightning and over 500,000 people were killed by cancer.  These odds speak for themselves.  So why do people continue to target and kill venomous snakes?  Fear? Erroneous beliefs that snakes are “bad” or “evil” ?  Lack of information and education?  Misunderstanding?  Bad television, movies and media representation?  Collection for the bush meat, “pet” and clothing trade? The answer is all of the above.  If we do not stop the killing and ignorant persecution,  then one day they will all be gone.

Recently I visited an ancient Timber rattlesnake den site.  For eons this site hosted dozens of beautiful adult and young rattlesnakes.  As of last week, the site had been plundered by snake hunters who had not a care in the world for the snakes or the habitat.  I saw not a single snake.  The habitat was destroyed.  All the snakes had been captured or killed and for what–skins, money, meat, machismo–probably all of those reasons. I am saddened to think that this site had existed for probably millions of years as a rattlesnake haven and in only a few hours it was reduced to ruin by ignorant sub-humans out for a few dollars.  So sad and so wrong.

It must end.

Education is the key to understanding and with understanding comes respect,  conservation and preservation.

Please learn the facts about these beautiful and misunderstood creatures.  What if find out that you have been wrong all these years–do you wish to continue to do a thing just because you have always done it that way? That does not make it the right thing to do.  Do not be afraid of finding out the truth and setting things right.  Question what you believe and do the research–learn the truth.  Do the right thing.

Start by helping me change laws and minds to protect these magnificent and misunderstood creatures from continued wrongful persecution from persons who do not understand them.

I have put together a list of petitions that are working to end rattlesnake roundups and similar cruel practices directed toward rattlesnakes. Please consider signing them and then pass them on to those who care and maybe together we can make a difference in the protection of a greatly misunderstood and beautiful animal–the rattlesnake.

Thanks,

Steve

https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/tell-animal-planet-to-stop-promoting-rattlesnake-republic-and-the-slaughter-of-rattlesnakes

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/234/221/693/tell-animal-planet-to-stop-promoting-rattlesnake-republic-and-the-slaughter-of-rattlesnakes/

http://www.petitiononline.com/roundups/petition.html

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/45/Please-Stop-Rattlesnake-Roundups/

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/stop-the-rattlesnake-torture-in-texas/

https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/outlawing_rattlesnake_roundups/index.html

http://www.experienceproject.com/petitions/Stop-Rattlesnake-Roundups/-133167479

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/45/Please-Stop-Rattlesnake-Roundups/

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/121/protect-the-snakes-give-eastern-diamondbacks-threatened-species-status/

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/296/984/265/save-the-rattlesnake-americas-revolutionary-symbol/

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/852/378/446/oklahoma-ban-rattle-snake-roundups-today/

http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-rattlesnakes-having-their-mouths-sewn-shut-at-oklahoma-roundups?utm_medium=email&utm_source=signature_receipt#

Here are two petitions I authored a couple of years ago.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/stop-the-trade-in-rattlesnake-parts/

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Rattlesnakes-are-important-too/

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/crazy-crow-trading-post-is-selling-turtle-shells-and-rattlesnake-skins-end-this-unsustai/

Here’s an article about one advocate for rattlesnakes that attempted to document a rattlesnake roundup and how he was treated.  All the more reason to end these destructive events that not only kill snakes by the thousands but also continue to teach children that “the only good snake is a captured, tortured, dismembered, flayed alive, sold, eaten and lied about and then made into boots, bags and belts snake.”

http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20120705/GRASSROOTS/307050004

Together we can end this madness.


Paint marking a Timber Rattlesnake

Posted on by Stevo

A few days ago we discovered a new Timber Rattlesnake near Earthshine.  It is a healthy dark phase female with a rather large rattle string. Fortunately she was found in the same are where Utsanati was found a little over a year ago. This area is visited only occasionally by lodge staff members and never by guests.  I captured and relocated the snake to a location a short distance away from the capture site.  Hopefully the snake will remember being captured and not return to the site.  In order to know if the snake returns I have paint marked three lower segments of its rattle with red acrylic paint so that if the snake returns or is ever seen again we will be able to visually ID it from a safe distance. If the snake is seen frequently, its movements, and eventually its home range can be plotted on a map.

Watch the video of the paint marking and release below.

Kingsnake eating Copperhead

Posted on by Stevo

Watch as “King” the Eastern Kingsnake eats a Northern Copperhead that was freshly killed on the road.

Kingsnakes are predators on other snakes and are resistant to the venom of pit vipers such as the Copperhead and rattlesnake.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZXLSwF7znA

Video and editing by Steve O’Neil

Music by The Steep Canyon Rangers used with permission.

Rattlesnake Report for 7/1/12

Posted on by Stevo

Rattlesnake Report for 7/1/2012.  In these special blog postings I will update you on the movements and status of the Timber Rattlesnakes Utsanati and Zoe that we are following with radio telemetry.  I have come up with a “potential danger level” scale that represents the potential danger the snakes could pose to the human inhabitants of the community due to their proximity to human habitations and activity areas.  The danger level also applies to the snakes being in danger if they are near a road or yard where they could be accidentally injured or killed or injured by man and his machines and toxic chemicals such as insecticides and herbicides.  If you live in the community where the snakes live please pay close attention to their locations and the “potential danger level” and take appropriate care in your activities to protect you and the snakes from any harm.  The scale will be as follows: Danger Level 1= No immediate danger.  The snake is in the rough.  Danger Level 5=High danger level.  The snake is very close to a residence/trail/road–walk, drive or mow carefully and please do not spray toxic chemicals in the area where the snake was last found.  If you have questions about the snake’s locations please do not hesitate to contact me.

It has been about one month since I reported on the snakes so I will recap their status since that time.

On June 09, 2012, I had to remove Utsanati–the male rattlesnake–from a woodpile where he was sheltering because the woodpile was going to be demolished.  After he was taken into captivity I decided to have him x-rayed to check the status of his transmitters antenna.  I did this because the strength of his transmitter’s signal had been dropping over the last few weeks reducing the range in which I could track him so I was afraid that I might loos track of him if the battery was getting low or the antenna was having a problem.  The xray showed that the antenna had come loose from its forward attachment point and had and retracted backward causing a loss of signal.  This will have to be repaired in a minor surgery before Utsanati can be released back into his habitat.   I will be sure to post a video of the surgery here for you to view as soon as it is complete and Utsanati is back in the wild.  In the meantime I have Utsanati in captivity where he has eaten two mice and one small rabbit that was killed by a pet cat.  Utsanati’s danger level is a 0.

Zoe, the female rattlesnake is still in the vicinity of the waterfall and deep in the forest and she seems to be slowly making her way back up along the ridgeline.   She is close to an area that seems to be rarely  used as a walking trail so her danger level is a 1.

Watch the video below for Utsanati’s capture from the woodpile and x-ray procedure and Zoe’s previous two locations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Lux6ls3Ro8

Unique Reptile Conservation and Education Programs

Posted on by Stevo

Hello all conservation minded reptile aficionados.  I would like to let all of you know a little bit about two of the reptile research, conservation and public education projects that I am conducting at Earthshine Mountain Lodge near the town of Brevard in Western North Carolina.

jimmy8.11sm 300x185 Unique Reptile Conservation and Education Programs

The first project is Turtle Tracks is a unique wildlife conservation,  research and environmental education  program that is studying the Eastern Box Turtle.  We have been following several wild Eastern box turtles with mark-recapture and radio telemetry techniques since 2008.  Our goals are to  learn as much as we can about their natural movements, habits, habitats and interactions with humans and our domestic animals in fragmented habitats and to teach people about the lives of these beautiful creatures  that we share our world and existence with.  It is our belief that with education comes understanding, respect and then conservation and preservation.

Make the theme of your next vacation reptile conservation and visit us at  Earthshine Lodge.   At Earthshine you and your family will meet our education turtles,  learn about the Eastern box turtle and then take a turn using the radio telemetry equipment to help us locate a wild box turtle as you journey out into the fields and forests with us on your very own turtle tracking expedition.  You and your family will have the rare opportunity to experience what it is like to be a wildlife researcher following in the tracks of a wild box turtle in its native habitat!  Not only will you help locate one or more of our study animals but you will also help us collect data that will be part of a larger database that one day will ultimately help conserve and protect the humble and beautiful Eastern box turtle.

turtletracks1 183x300 Unique Reptile Conservation and Education Programs

You can learn more about the Turtle Tracks program on our website and sign up for updates from the Turtle Tracks project by following our blog.

turtletracks3 300x293 Unique Reptile Conservation and Education Programs

Many turtle tracking expeditions are filmed by Steve and placed on his Youtube.com site where you can watch your field expedition online once you return home and for years to come.  Also, check out a video compilation of the 2008 turtle tracking season below to see Turtle Tracks in action!

Our second program is Snake Tracks and, like Turtle Tracks,  it is also a wildlife conservation,  research and environmental education  program that is studying the Timber Rattlesnake.

utsanatidew11 300x236 Unique Reptile Conservation and Education Programs

Currently, we are following the movements of two wild Timber rattlesnakes with radio telemetry techniques in order to learn more about their natural movements in the deep forests near Earthshine Lodge.  We have named the male snake Utsa’nätï –the Cherokee word for Rattlesnake and the female snake Zoe–Greek for life.  As with the box turtles we plan to follow these snakes for several years in order to learn all that we can about their travels in order to  educate visitors to Earthshine and viewers like you on the interesting, beautiful and greatly misunderstood life of the Timber rattlesnake.  We will bring you updates on their travels on the Earthshine Nature Programs Blog in the form of photos, videos and maps but unlike Turtle Tracks we do not plan to take folks into the field in search of these snakes or reveal their exact locations…for obvious reasons.

However: if you are a herpetologist, biologist, naturalist or scientist with a genuine interest, adequate safety equipment, and a valid reason to visit the rattlesnakes then there is a possibility that you could accompany Steve into the field on a tracking day.

Take a look at one of the most recent videos of Snake Tracks below.

You may also be interested in watching the video of the radio transmitter implantation on Utsanati below.  Note: My videos are longer than many found on  Youtube because I am not trying to create pop art–I am attempting to actually educate the viewer on wildlife and nature conservation so I do not leave much material out.

If you are a friend of herps and find these animals as remarkable and beautiful as I do, then consider bringing your family to Earthshine Mountain Lodge for a one of a kind fun filled all inclusive Blue Ridge mountain vacation that includes your favorite animals–reptiles and amphibians!

Other herp related activities we offer:

Nature/Science Education Center

Critter Hunt guided nature hike focusing on cover board/tin site surveys and conservation based field herping.

Creek Hike searching for native salamanders–this hike ends in a natural rock water slide.

And more!

For more about Earthshine Nature Programs please visit our website.

Follow our projects on the Earthshine Nature Blog.

Earthshine Nature Programs is a small, grass roots 501c3 non profit striving to educate people about the beauty and importance of the misunderstood creatures of the world, reptile and wildlife conservation and our place in the circle of life and energy in the universe.