(PICTURES AT THE BOTTOM
) Earlier this year (May, to be precise) I went out into the field with a herpetologist from my dad's work to radio-track Northern Black Racers.(
coluber constrictor constrictor) This species is threatened so we were taking data as to where the snakes like to hang out, the temps. where they like to be, etc. We went to 3 different locations where the populations were established, one in a public park, one in a farmer's cow pasture, and one in a flood plain. We went to the park first. For those of whom are unfamiliar with "radio-tracking" basically you surgically implant a tag into the snake which allows you to use a little radio antennae to narrow down the position of the snake. We found the first 2 snakes together near the edge of a rocky dyke very close to people swimming, having picnics and other recreational activities. (I think we put them on edge not knowing what were doing walking around with an antennae ;P) We pretty much stumbled upon them which startled both us and the snakes and they fled into the nearby rocks. *facepalm* We spent a good 20 minutes looking around for them until eventually I turned around and saw the middle part of one of them. Instinct took over and I grabbed the snake. 2 down 3 to go... After we took a few pics and had a few stares from the locals we headed off to the next destination. Now I can't remember where we went first after that :P But I think we went to the flood plain next. It was SWELTERING in there. Essentially a desert since it was filled with water at one point. Anyways We found the snakes in a pair again! Lucky ducks. I caught one of them and we did the normal data check and everything and let them go. The male was the biggest wild snake I've ever caught at 4.5 feet. (Big for north-east US reptiles) He decided he would let everything in his bowel out at me which was a very pleasant experience. Now, off to the third place, the cow pasture. This took the shortest amount of time to find. It took a good 10 minutes before we found this guy tucked away in a stone wall. I never caught him cause they're quite aptly named, racers. Not to mention he was smart and picked a place in thick pricker bushes. Anyways, this was long but I felt like sharing so I hope you guys enjoy my story!
PS. I was wearing gloves because they produce a pretty potent musk :P
Here's the pics I promised!
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