Queen Snake - Pickens County

This was a nice photo opportunity at Talking Rock Creek in Pickens County, GA. This Queen Snake (Regina septemvittata) was emerging for air when I first spotted it. It stayed in this position for several minutes. This species is fairly common in north Georgia, especially in streams with an abundance of crayfish, which it relies on as its primary food. I did observe several small crayfish in the creek, so I would assume there is a thriving population of Queens here. 

To learn more go HERE.

Ambush in the Garden!

Our gardens are often an ideal place to enjoy nature, in fact many design their gardens to attract wildlife. Birds and butterflies are easily attracted by simply providing food sources. These areas are often small, but no area is too small to observe creatures carrying out their niche. As I was photographing butterflies in my yard a few days ago, I spotted a Green Lynx Spider (Peucetia viridans) with a recently caught Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus) in its grasp. This is a very interesting species and widespread in the southern United States. It does not catch prey using a web, but will wait motionless(usually near flowers) for an unsuspecting insect victim. The green color allows it to camouflage into its surroundings. Spiders of the family Oxyopidae are referred to as "lynx spiders" due to their habit of pouncing on prey, reminiscent of a cat. They are master ambush hunters and are often noted for playing a positive role in crop pest control, though they also prey upon beneficial insects.

For more information go HERE. 

Copperhead - Murray County

I photographed this Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen) in Murray County, GA. This is one of Georgia's six venomous snakes, five of which belong to the family Viperidae. These are called pit vipers due to their heat-sensing depressions(pits) on each side of the face. Look closely at the photograph above and you can see the "pit" between the eye and nostril. 

The Copperhead is at home in forested habitats, especially where there is debris such as rocks, logs, and leaf litter that can be used for shelter. Their coloration and "hourglass" pattern makes excellent camouflage in these terrestrial settings. 

Copperheads, like many snakes, have a wide variety of prey. Small mammals, such as mice are  consumed often. The most common method of hunting is by ambush. This is basically "lie and wait." A method known as "caudal luring" is sometimes used by juvenile Copperheads. They wag their yellow tail tips to lure prey into striking distance.

This individual was approximately 20" in length. Its tail was tinged with yellow, so it has probably only recently matured. It did vibrate the tail-tip when I approached it. I would guess that it was 2-3 years in age. Copperheads do not lay eggs, but give birth to live young. 

Though the Copperhead is one of the most feared snakes in GA, rarely does a bite prove fatal. Many bites are a product of negligence on the part of the human. These snakes will defend themselves if they feel threatened, so do not try to handle or harass them. For more information about this species CLICK HERE. 

A great book to learn more about GA snakes, and where some of the above information was gathered is Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia. Follow this link to learn more: http://www.ugapress.org/index.php/books/amphibians_and_reptiles/