Year of the Snake - No. 21-26 Terrestrial Garters

Aunt Chellie took this photo of Thamnophis elegans.

On a hike at Pumphouse Wash near Flagstaff at the end of June,we found five Wandering Garters (a subspecies of the Terrestrial Garter) in a couple of standing ponds. All were juveniles except for one.

During this hike, we also saw salamander larvae, the salamander's version of a tadpole.                                                                                      

Reptile Camp

At the beginning of June, I went to camp at the Phoenix Herpetelogical Camp. The camp had a little too much classroom work for my liking, but it was a great place to try out my new Nikon D3100.

Common boa

Crotalus horridus (or timber rattlesnake) is from the east coast and contrary to its Latin name it is not horrible. This snake was the first rattlesnake found by the early European settlers in North America, so it got a bad reputation.

Crotalus mitchellii (or speckled rattlesnake) like this are found in Arizona.

American alligator, juvenile.

A rescued Caymen Island Iguana named Tippi. She is missing her front right leg.  (Thank you, Sam, for the info!)