A compilation of Ohio herps (January through August)

[mark]

So after a long hiatus I have been compelled to share some of the excitement I have been lucky enough to witness thus far this year. There's a decent number of caudates, but as most people here appreciate the other creepy and crawly forms of life, I've included some other great species!

I considered organizing the post chronologically, but thought the following would be more effective.

As Notophthalmus are among my favorite genera I decided to start with them.

And a close up

While some couples were breeding, many other individuals apparently decided that filling their bellies on Ambystoma maculatum eggs was a better use of their time.

The newts were found while searching vernal pools and even tire ruts for the following species - Hemidactylium scutatum

As well as Ambystoma jeffersonianum

And Ambystoma texanum

And of course Ambystoma maculatum whom provided the feast for the Notos.

A weekend trip to Northern Ohio found another species of mole salamander - Ambystoma laterale

Other vernal pool occupants/utilizers I have been lucky enough to set eyes on thus far this year include:

Rana sylvatica - wood frog

In defensive posture

Mountain chorus frogs (Pseudacris brachyphona)

Smooth green snakes (Liochlorophis vernalis)

Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingi) Sorry for the poor quality, I had to use digital zoom

And spotted turtles (Emys guttata)

I'll leave you with that for now, I'm having problems resizing images to be small enough to fit the requirements, but large enough to see. I'll make a second part though, including two Pseudotriton, two Gyrinophilus, Necturus, rattlesnakes, and loads more fun, so stay tuned!

Mark

 

[dane]

awesome photos, I love looking at pictures from the field

 

[karen]

Lovely pics!!

 

[mark]

Certainly a great set of photos, Mark. The Ambystomids are super. Were they all shot in Ohio? I hope so... I'm over in Ohio next year for a friends wedding and can't wait to do some field trips.

*edit - just read the title of the post, doh!

(Message edited by aartse_tuyn on August 18, 2006)

 

[mark]

Thanks for the compliments, Dane, Karen, and Mark.

Mark - depending on where in the state you are, you ought to be able to turn up some sort of Ambystomatid. Any decent vernal pool at the right time of year (fall or spring) should yield a couple species of Ambystoma, along with redbacks and ravine salamanders. Whereabouts is the wedding - it might even be possible for me to try and show you some stuff.

 

[charles]

Great Photos, Mark!

 

[mark]

Hi Mark, the wedding is somewhere near Cincinnati and it'll be Sept/Oct next year. It'd be great to get a guided tour! If not then maybe some tips on good spots, I'll PM you nearer the time.

I'm hoping to get down to the Great Smokie Mountains after the wedding but there's plenty of time for planning still.

 

[jennifer]

Great shots, MarkR, I agree with your predilection for Notos.

Have fun in Cincy, MarkAT (my home town).

 

[alberto]

Bravo Mark

Thank you for the great pictures!

 

[mike]

Very nice photos. It is always great to see shots of animals in the field. My favorite shot by far is of the green snake. The snake's position and use of depth of field make for a great photo.

 

[simon]

Fantastic animals and photography! I especially like the Blue-spotted and Four-toed salamanders.

 

[alexandra]

I thought the first couple pics were yours..are they all wild? BTW they were Cool!

 

[mark]

Charles, Jen, Alberto, Mike, Simon, Alexandra - thank you all for the compliments, I am most glad you enjoyed them.

Mark - ah, I misunderstood your original comment, I thought the wedding was to be this coming fall. I cannot guarantee that I will still be around in Ohio at that point to show you anything, but there is really so much habitat it shouldn't be too hard to find any number of species. Most any creek in a relatively undeveloped area will hold Eurycyea cirrigera as well as Desmognathus fuscus while Pseudotriton larvae aren't exactly uncommon either. A trip to the Smokies should definitely be in your plans, there are more than enough caudates to keep you busy for hours there, as well as some other great fauna and amazing scenery.

Alexandra - yes, all the pictures are of wild specimens.

I just thought I would point out that in the picture of the Ambystoma eggs a newt is peeking his head out from under the egg mass. The clarity isn't that great, so I wasn't sure if people were able to see it.

Thanks again for the comments!

Mark

 

[mark]

No problem Mark. It’s too far in the future to be making firm plans. If you’re still in Ohio at the time I’ll give you a shout.

 

[alexandra]

ya when i first say the picture he camoflaged quickly.

 

[joan]

Welcome back Mark. Great photos as usual. You got almost every ambystomatid species. I love the texanum, that 'squat' look does it for me. lol.

 

[pat]

Those are awesome pictures. My grandfather used to live in Cincinatti and had a creek behind his house, it was there that I'd spend all my time when I'd visit him. I remember catching all sorts of stuff including some of the specimens you posted, particularly the jefferson salamanders, wood frogs, and even a spotted turtle. And I don't remember all too well, but I did catch a huge salamander once, perhaps a Ambystoma texanum?

Such fond memories, it makes me want to go trudging through the woods again.

Seriously though, great photos, especially the mating N. viridescens, and the smooth green snake action shot.

 

[joan]

A huge salamander would probably be a tiger. texanum are little guys.

 

[mitch]

you sure those are ambystoma maculatum eggs?
looks more like the egg mass of a frog to me.

 

[mark]

Positive.