5-13-01

Trip Details

Herpers: Jim, Laura and Austin Scharosch and Matt Ricklefs

Location: Bremer County

Conditions: Very cool, about 55 – 60 degrees.

Time: Arrived at about 11:00 am

The weather man said it was supposed to clear up and warm up, but it did not work out that way. As the area we were at has Massasaugas, we still hoped for a good day as the Massasaugas I have found have been on overcast, though a little warmer days. We started down the slough and it appeared to have been flooded and the weeds were pretty grown over. The first few snakes we found were Brown (Storeria dekayi) and Red-Sided Garters (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis). They were cool and dug in under the rocks pretty well. They did pose quite nicely though in these conditions.

Further down we found two snakes under a rock, one was a Brown Snake, and fortunately one was a Red-Bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata), a welcome find.

A little further down we found an eighteen inch long Fox Snake that was also very dug in. All of these so far did their very best to look grouchy and intimidating.

After finding several other Red-Sides and Browns, we did find two Western Ribbon Snakes (Thamnophis proximus). Also welcome finds.

This rounded out the day. No Massasaugas, but overall a good day. It's been a while since I've been here and in talking to a few people the number of Massasaugas seems to be declining. But, given their secretive nature, maybe they just haven't been seen. I am hoping this is the case, as this area is rich is all kinds of nature and the Massasauga is a unique part of this!!