Gretchen was working at the potting table under the end shelter when she noticed something odd right by the table. It was Francine, our friend the softshell tortoise, in from the woods, laying eggs in the same under the shelter.
So we fenced the dogs out until she politely asked to be let out. Then I put Continue reading
Mocassin
For the rest of the story, see Cottonmouth moccasin v Yellow Dog and Brown Dog @ OPF 2016-11-29.
-jsq
Brown Dog and Gretchen are surprised
Gretchen Quarterman was surprised when Yellow Dog walked past me and picked up that snake about 4 feet to my left. I had backed off when I took this picture, but the venom splatter still got on my arm, which immediately started tingling. With a bit of soap and water, it’s fine. For once the Yellow Dog did not get bit. She did get some of the food she likes best and a bone. Brown Dog prudently stayed out of this one.
-jsq
Fortunately Yellow Dog and Brown Dog weren’t around when I stopped the tractor
to wait for this corn snake to slither across.
Later I showed it to Gretchen (see below). Continue reading
Francine out for a walk between the creek and the house:
Species Profile: Florida Softshell (Apalone ferox) | SREL Herpetology
Like other softshells, the Florida softshell turtle (Apalone ferox) is a large, flat turtle with skin covering its shell (resembling a pancake). It is the bulkiest of the softshell turtles but inhabits the smallest range. It varies in size with males measuring from 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) and females measuring double that at 11-24 inches (28-61 cm). Adults are usually colored by a dark brown to brownish-gray with dark spots. Also there are usually small dark bumps on the carapace. In juveniles these dark bumps on the carapace are much more easily seen, as they are usually lighter in color than the adults. The carapace of the Florida softshell is covered with longitudinal rows of tubercles that resemble ridges in younger turtles but are less evident in larger turtles. In adult turtles the plastron of the shell usually extends farther than the carapace.Continue reading
My snake!
Pictures by John S. Quarterman for Okra Paradise Farms, Lowndes County, Georgia, 11 October 2012.
The dogs barked up a storm while I was picking okra, and by the time I got there the snake was in sad shape. Too bad, as I keep explaining to Brown Dog and Yellow Dog, snakes eat mice.
-jsq
