Phil photographs a Timber Rattlesnake, the true symbol of American wilderness and freedom.
Phil photographs a Timber Rattlesnake, the true symbol of American wilderness and freedom.
Introduction
The following reports the field conservation efforts and observations made possible through The Kentucky Herpetological Society. Without the continued support from our Members and Officers these efforts would not be possible and for this reason we extend our deepest thanks for their continued support. We also wish to thank The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for their contributions that help us work together towards common goals. 2008 marks our organization’s tenth anniversary and it has become clear to us now more than ever that working together with other like-minded organizations is the most effective method that consistently yields productive results beneficial to all.
Because this is the first report of its kind coming from us, we will include some information gathered over the past ten years beginning with the inception of our organization. However, this report will basically cover the 2008 season with some references to data collected previously by the authors. The authors and data collectors of this report are, listed by last name alphabetically, Will Bird and Phil Peak.
Conservation is something that all of us are passionate about and we all have different ways to contribute. We must all continue to find ways to utilize what resources we have available so that we may work together to reach common goals. Phil and I contribute our off days every week of the year, our vacation time, the use of my vehicle, our ability to work with local private land owners, and the focus of our minds among other things which include our passions for Herp Conservation. We are grateful for all of the contributions made by our partners in Herp Conservation and hope that the results of our efforts will garner and expand future support! We also hope to demonstrate to other regular people how two regular guys have found ways to make meaningful contributions towards conservation, and that YOU can do so as well!!
A Corn Snake from one of two small isolated Kentucky colonies found after learning how to work with The Amish.
Kentucky’s leading naturalist who serves currently as our KDFWR State Herpetologist (and in other capacities) recently remarked that Kentucky Herpetology is undergoing a modern renaissance. When The Kentucky Herpetological Society (KHS) formed ten years ago this same Naturalist, John MacGregor, made his way to our meeting in order to establish a relationship and explain how we could contribute to scientific knowledge and understanding of herpetology in Kentucky. Since that time we have done just that and after years of recording data in the requested format backed by photographic verification we were asked to take part in developing Kentucky’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS) and served as State and Tribal Wildlife Grant (STWG) expert reviewers. The CWCS has been completed and STWGs became available to us in 2008. Over the course of 2008 The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources awarded $9500.00 in matching funds, $2000.00 in trapping equipment, and an over-sized trailer load of artificial cover whose value is unknown, all so that Phil and I can continue to carry out the goals of The CWCS by gathering base-line herp data across Kentucky. During these trying economic times, these grants are MOST appreciated and have enabled us to expand our activities in ways that were not possible in years prior.
Satellite traps with shade covers and tent spikes ready for deployment! Thanks KDFWR!!
Results
The 2008 season opened for Phil and I with turtle observations made at our places of employment. Soon after this Phil heard the call of upland chorus frogs behind his house after a warm rain. Soon after this rain event The Louisville Zoo began their northern leopard frog project and the calls of this species were recorded. Subsequent visits to various locations in Northern KY WMAs with John MacGregor resulted in some of the first adult photographs of this species from these localities…after I locked my keys in the cab of my truck and wasted hours waiting for AAA only to have my doors bent so that the sound of howling winds drove Phil and I insane as we made our way down Kentucky’s highways for the rest of the season! Oh well, it was worth it!!
A standout example from Kentucky’s Northern Leopard Frog population.
Other notable amphibian discoveries were made during the course of 2008 as well. Two of these came in The Knobs Region of Kentucky and both in areas we had gathered data in for years but never encountered these particular species. Both were discovered in satellite traps provided by KDFWR and we strongly believe that the traps are THE reason we found both Midland Mud Salamanders and Eastern Spadefoot Toads.
A Spadefoot Toad discovered by utilizing traps and silt fences.
The grants we received enabled us to make more frequent visits to western Kentucky during times of the year when we had not visited before. The end results were new amphibian discoveries. We discovered a Western Lesser Siren under carpet in a Jackson Purchase swamp were we had been hoping to locate them for several years now. We also found our first Mole Salamander and first Spotted Dusky Salamander.
A Western Lesser Siren Close-Up Above and A Young Mole Salamander Below!
A Spotted Dusky Salamander From Lyon County!
Targeting Mississippi Green Water Snakes Proved Successful!!
Additional amphibians were not the only herp species whose encounters increased due to additional visits to western Kentucky. During The Winter months Phil and I were able to acquire permits so we could access federally protected lands in order to survey and gather data for the CWCS. One species of snake that we really wanted to document was the Mississippi Green Water Snake. We were not sure that we would ever be able to locate this species due to their limited range in Kentucky, the fact that the range we have confirmation on is in federally protected lands that make utilizing many search methods complicated, and the very secretive nature of this species. You can imagine our surprise and joy when Phil was able to secure the specimen pictured above about seven paces and 35 seconds after we arrived at our search area!!
During the Fall of 2007 we were able to get permission to lay the piece of metal pictured below.
Metal Laid In Seasonally Flooded Area Meant To Attract A Certain Black And Red Snake!
You can imagine our surprise and disappointment when we arrived on a nice Spring day only to discover that 75% of the cover we had set out in the Fall was deep under water and unable to be found, much less checked. Visits to swamps with less fluctuating water levels were met with Springtime successes but it was not until a cool Fall day in 2008 with the full sunshine pictured above that our target snake was discovered at this location.
A Western Mud Snake Found Utilizing AC When Air And Water Temps Were Low But Sunshine Ample
We were able to locate two live Western Mud Snakes in two different swamps during the course of 2008. Through a relationship with a private property owner we were also able to set out materials in a habitat were these snakes have been suspected but never confirmed to exist. Many species that live in the places were mud snakes are known to occur in Kentucky have been documented in this target area including the Western Lesser Siren, a known favorite prey item for this elusive snake. If we are able to document mud snakes at this location it will be the most eastern population in Kentucky and a very notable range extension.
No visit to western Kentucky swamps is complete until a nice cottonmouth or three are found. Phil and I love seeing Kentucky’s Western Cottonmouths. Countless days are spent following up on old records for these snakes and many end in failure due to habitat destruction. The way that this species functions in Kentucky is far from understood. In the literature that does exist it is stated that cottonmouth need swamps with adjacent wooded hillsides with south, southwest, or western exposures so that hibernation requirements can be met here in the Upper South. In our years studying Cottonmouth we have certainly encountered situations like the ones described. However, we are not the only people who study and think about these snakes who have noted that there are Cottonmouth-filled swamps with no wooded hillsides facing any direction for hundreds and hundreds of yards. This has had us wondering how these snakes survive in these kinds of habitats.
On an early Spring day Phil and I were able to locate what we suspect was either a cottonmouth den or hibernaculum in a swamp with no discernable hillsides nearby. Many cottonmouth were observed in a slightly elevated rock jumble, but none of the specimens observed were large and only a few were in the 30 inch range. Several weeks after this place was discovered the surrounding area was bulldozed including the edges of this rocky site. Later visits in the Fall yielded reduced snake sightings and a couple of cast skins. We hope to learn more about this special place in the future.
Phil and I both have a strong desire to photograph cottonmouth in every Kentucky county where they exist. Seeing cottonmouth in the same place at the same time of year every year is not good enough for us. We want to see all species of herps in new places each year and with Cottonmouth we make an effort every year to see them in a new location. 2008 was no exception and we were VERY happy to be met with success! In 2008 we added Lyon county to our list of Kentucky Cottonmouth counties!! Below is an example of one!
A Western Cottonmouth Found In A Location New For Us In 2008.
Phil and I were also lucky enough to locate some live Timber Rattlesnakes in Kentucky during 2008. Just like with Cottonmouths, we like to see Timbers in new places each year. We made several efforts during 2008 and one of them paid off. As always is the case with these snakes, much effort must be made in order to be met with success. On this particular occasion we set out to drive around all day in order to locate Timber Rattlesnakes and we suspected we would fail, but succeed in gathering other herp data in new locations along the way. After about 12 hours of driving conditions changed for the better and we were in very nice habitat. The next thing we knew, we were looking at the snake below!
A Timber Rattlesnake Discovered After A Long But Determined Search
The search for Timber Rattlesnakes in Kentucky is a tough business, especially west of the mountainous regions in the East. For Phil and me it is also a very rewarding experience every time out, even when no snakes are found. Especially interesting to us are the people who live in the places where these symbols of American Wilderness and Freedom are able to persist. Personally we have never been to a place where Rattlesnakes continued to occur in Kentucky where the cultural systems that we were exposed to as children in rural Kentucky also continue to survive. In these regions where the serpentine symbols of Wilderness and Freedom hang on, so do the cultural systems of values that our Nation and Commonwealth were founded upon. And so every place where Timber Rattlesnakes are observed in Kentucky is a special place indeed for many species and for many reasons.
As a result, every aspect of the habitat, fauna, and even human element in these places must be conserved now for they are all more threatened than ever before. Many surrounding States are losing their rattlesnakes. For now Kentucky seems to be holding on somehow. If we lose our Timber Rattlesnakes it will be a result of habitat and cultural destruction. For this reason Phil and I find it just as important to locate these snakes in old haunts as in new ones so that we can confirm that the habitats and populations are still in functional existence. In 2008 Phil and I were able to secure two trapping locations on private lands where Timber Rattlesnakes have been known to occur in the past. With traps that we paid for and with ones supplied by KDFWR we were able to set up arrays that confirm these snakes at both locations. Photos below:
Timber Rattlesnake Found In KDFWR Trap Summer 2008.
Timber Rattlesnake Found In KHS Trap Summer 2008.
Baby Broadbanded Water Snakes Reveal A Population Able To Reproduce!
This Snake Has A Limited Range In Kentucky And Faces Many Challenges.
The Broadbanded Water Snakes in Kentucky are the focus of many of the hours we spend in the field and the focus of much of the time we thought about and discussed what we were recording in 2008 and in years prior. These snakes are known from only one county in Kentucky and this area is utilized intensively for agricultural purposes. It seems that only two populations continue to persist in Kentucky. One of these populations is within the bounds of a National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). The other population is on private land surrounded by agriculture. In our limited experiences we have noted that the population within the NWR seems limited by habitat and competition from other Natricines. Permanent bodies of water that sustain fish populations exist in the NWR and this seems to allow, along with other factors, for several species of water snakes to find niches within the system. On the private property where Broadbanded Water Snakes occur the water bodies dry up during drought years. This limits fish populations and as a result, fish eating water snakes run out of their food source often. It is well known that Broadbanded Water Snakes can feed on frogs, and this private property is loaded with frogs, especially Southern Leopard Frogs whose numbers are so vast that we are only able to record that we have observed too many to count (TMTC) in our notes on most visits.
There is also the issue of individual sightings of all water snake species in both locations that must be considered. In the NWR Broadbanded Water Snake sightings occur in fair numbers along with a low number of Mississippi Green Water Snakes, high number of N. erythrogastor complex water snakes, and a very high number of Diamondback Water Snakes. Such is not the case on the private property location. While the robust Diamondback Water Snake has been reported to prowl the agricultural canals bordering the private land habitat, we have never observed this massive fish eater on or even near this property. What we have been able to record are large numbers of Broadbanded Water Snakes. They seem to own this habitat. On days when finds are greatly reduced in this habitat we still seem to drum up a specimen of Broadbanded Water Snake.
On very good days we are also able to locate a flavigaster in this habitat. The 2008 season yielded a very shocking discovery for us. It seems that hybridization is taking place in this habitat. Look at the photos below:
To be honest, we do not even know what this snake is! Our first thought was that this habitat was so good for Broadbanded Water Snakes that they were able to genetically swamp any other species of water snake that came near the place. We have brought this subject to the attention of John MacGregor and he suspects that the sipedon complex might somehow be involved. John knows way more than us when it comes to such things and having the chance to “talk Nerodia” in a serious manner with the guy who has more Kentucky water snake experience than anyone we know was great fun for us!
With Nerodia being the current topic, take a look at this specimen!
The Most “Copperbellied” Water Snake We Have Seen In Kentucky!!
Phil and I have observed many examples of water snakes from the erythrogastor complex across Kentucky. Many of them seem to be intermittent between erythrogastor flavigaster and erythrogastor neglecta. In 2008 we found the specimen pictured above and below. This snake was in the same swamp where we hope to document the most eastern population of Kentucky’s Western Mud Snake and where we see so many Western Cottonmouth and other west Kentucky herp species at their most eastern limits within the Commonwealth.
An Adult Male Kirtland Snake Found In Southwestern Jefferson County 2008.
The monotypic genus Clonophis continues to garner the interest of naturalists all over The United States. These Kirtland Snakes are a species that seems to find ways to survive in established urban areas. Louisville is no exception and seems to hold a population that continues to produce multiple sightings annually. Over the years most of the reported sightings have come from more urbanized areas that are located in the central parts of the county. While this is the case, Phil Peak has told of numerous encounters with these snakes being sighted in south-western locations in the county and has also remarked on the larger size of the specimens observed there. He has also noted that sightings seem to occur near seasonally flooded open areas near railroad tracks.
One of our most loyal Herp Society Members recently moved into an area where large wooden boards had been discarded near seasonally flooded fields adjacent to railroad tracks in southwestern Jefferson county. This Member soon reported Kirtland Snake sightings so Phil and I packed our cameras on a nice Spring day to investigate. Sure enough, multiple specimens were recorded including the one photographed above.
Locating secretive reptiles in urban settings is very difficult and we advise that all local reports be investigated.
A Young Eastern Ribbon Snake Found In A New County For Us Under Natural Cover
There are two Ribbon Snake species in Kentucky and both are of particular interest to us. The more common and wider ranging Eastern Ribbon Snake seems to turn up each year if enough visits to western Kentucky are made when conditions are favorable. As is always the case, we like seeing snakes in new places and thus was the case in 2008 for both Eastern and Western Ribbon Snakes. The baby Eastern Ribbon Snake pictured above was discovered in a northern section of The Jackson Purchase underneath a rock adjacent to water. Baby snakes are always difficult to photograph but their discovery proves that breeding populations still exist so we are always very happy to see these little ones. We hope to discover adults from this same population in the future.
This Western Ribbon Snake Photo Brought To You After 3,000 Mosquito Bites!!
Western Ribbon Snake observations in 2008 far exceeded any expectations we held before we set out. In the area where this snake is most often found we discovered the largest example that we have ever observed. That was GREAT! Any time giant snakes are discovered we are very pleased. After a nice photo session we began to extend our search northward and before we knew it we were looking at a DOR Western Ribbon Snake around 2 miles north of where they had been previously recorded! We continued northward searching for any herps we might be able to record. The calls of Green Tree Frogs honked out along every plant chocked ditch that we passed. We decided to make our way to a very heavy piece of metal that has yielded many snakes over the years. When we arrived we both got into position and carefully but quickly flipped the cover. Much to our surprise, a very large ribbon snake quickly vanished into the surrounding grasses! It all happened so fast that neither of us knew what type of ribbon snake we had seen. We searched the area for a while but soon gave up and continued cruising roads. After some hours had passed we decided to go back and look under that metal again just before it was time to leave the area. We got that feeling something good was about to happen but were surprised when we found a small ribbon snake under the metal this time around! A quick examination revealed that this specimen was a Western Ribbon Snake…about five miles north of where the stronghold is located. Observations like these are rewarding and also give us hope that we might continue the search for this species in more northerly habitats in the near future.
The Western Ribbon Snake Found In A New Quarter Quad Under Metal Disturbed Only Hours Prior
Mud Turtle Found Where We Had Never Seen Them Before Despite Many Searches
The discovery of a Mud Turtle here in Kentucky is always very exciting and makes even a bad day a great one, especially when one is found in a place we have never seen them before. Such was the case with the Mud Turtle pictured above. It had been a while since Mud Turtles had been recorded in that location. Even so, the habitat there is good and it was not shocking to see that turtle compared to the one pictured below. The Eastern Mud Turtle pictured below is one Phil and I discovered high upon a ridge in Edmonson county after a heavy rain and represents the first specimen of this turtle recorded from this county in 80 years.
The different head and neck markings on this turtle and the one pictured above suggest an influence of Mississippi River gene flow in Kentucky.
Developing Kentucky’s CWCS has been an arduous task and Kentucky was very fortunate when KDFWR hired John MacGregor to help spearhead this process. The CWCS lists the species of wildlife here in Kentucky that we should all focus our conservation efforts upon. After 30 years of studying most all forms of wildlife here in Kentucky, John was able to utilize his decades of experience in order to contribute and to also select a team of Kentucky’s most knowledgeable naturalists to assist in the process of deciding which species we should focus our efforts upon. Several species of reptiles and amphibians were singled out and added to the list. Most of these are so secretive that the CWCS determined that baseline data must be gathered in order to more clearly understand distributions so that effective conservation strategies can be implemented for our most threatened reptile and amphibian species.
One of several Four Toed Salamanders involved in courtship dances around a moss-covered stump in standing water
Phil and I feel very fortunate to be involved in this process. It was our greatest hope when we met ten years ago that we might be able to find some way to contribute to Herpetology here in Kentucky. We never knew how we might help to make this happen or what may be involved in the process, but we both agreed year after year that this was a goal we both must focus our efforts upon. On days when we ventured a-field together ten years ago we set out with a full tank of gas, a pencil and paper to write down what we found, and hopes to find as many snakes as possible. Oh how times have changed!! Each year finds us more and more focused upon gathering meaningful and much needed baseline data on CWCS species and less focused on finding vast numbers of common species where we have recorded them in past visits. Countless hours are spent discussing how to proceed months, weeks, and even days in advance as we incorporate past experiences, developing weather conditions, changing work schedules, and family needs into each and every equation day after day. Finding over 100 snakes on a Spring day sure was fun, but trying to secure one new data point for a list species during the course of a day feels better…especially if we are met with success! And so, as is always the case, Phil and I change our methods with the changing conditions. Over the course of each year Phil and I have a limited number of off days and vacation days we are able to donate and utilize for data collection and we give as many hours out of each and every one of these days as we can to gather meaningful information which we submit to the State via KDFWR for submission into the Herp Database.
An Eastern Narrowmouth Toad Found Under Wood In An Upland Habitat.
As the 2009 season draws near many challenges threaten future successes. When we were very young countless hours were spent along railroad tracks. Back in those days when the trains would roll through you would see train cars loaded with either coal or automobiles and these would be interspersed with box cars. Over the past couple of years the train cars have fewer automobiles, fewer box cars, and more open-top cars filled with scrap metal and other debris. From what we are told a rising Chinese economy and the results of the Wars our Nation has been embroiled in have driven up the price and the demand for the materials that we set out in order to locate herp species. In 2007 over 800 pieces of our cover, most of which was located behind locked gates in National Parks, State Parks, and Private Properties, were stolen by scrappers. 2008 was no different and it seemed that each week revealed another lost study site. Countless Kentucky towns are feeling this too as man-hole covers are stolen en-masse by these same scrappers. We have adapted how we operate and are now constantly looking for new opportunities to make new sites in areas out of sight far behind locked gates where they are more likely to remain for years to come.
After five years producing records like the first live Cave Region Pine Snake since 1969, this metal was sold to scrappers and the site bull-dozed and put up in corn to attract deer. Transitional habitats like these that are neither forest nor field are always tiny, hold the most diverse wildlife, are VERY rare, even harder to locate, and are most likely to be either destroyed by dozers or allowed to fill in with trees. Either way, the rare and isolated herp populations perish.
Phil Looks On As Another Study Site Has Been Destroyed.
The harshest lesson that Phil and I have learned in the past ten years is that change is the only constant and that we must constantly be in the process of making new study sites if we wish to gather data. There have been times when we have developed a nice study site and found it destroyed on our very next visit! Our only option is to move forward with forging new relationships that will lead to new study sites in areas where we think they are likely to last.
As 2008 gives way to 2009 we are focused on doing just that and have already begun the process of making new study sites in locations where we hope to document the species for which there is greatest concern. With the help we receive from our Partners and Membership, we are hoping for the best! We plan to keep everyone updated with our progress. Until then, thank you all for your continued support! Will and Phil