Category Archives: Reptiles

Timber Rattler 2026-05-19

Snake of the week.

[Canebrake Rattlesnake]
Canebrake Rattlesnake

This Crotalus horridus was minding its own business, but it was in a woods path I was cruising with the golf cart.

For once, all four dogs listened and left it alone.

So they’re fine, and the snake eventually crawled off into the undergrowth.

-jsq

Garter Snake 2025-12-13

This Eastern Garter Snake was just lying in the driveway.

[Garter snake]
Garter snake

I left that Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis there.

Next time I walked by, she had moved on.

Supposed to freeze tonight and tomorrow night. Probably won’t see many snakes the next couple of days.

-jsq

Garter snake and obvlivious dogs 2025-03-18

I almost stepped on it, and the dogs never saw it.

[Garter Snake]
Garter Snake

All four dogs walked right by this harmless (to dogs and humans) eastern garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis.

[Oblivious dogs]
Oblivious dogs

-jsq

Turtle in driveway 2024-10-31

Stopped pretty quick to avoid this turtle.

[Left]
Left

Not sure what kind of turtle. I’m guessing river cooter or pond slider. I’m leaning towards pond slider, Trachemys scripta scripta, due to the vertical thickness of the shell. Continue reading →

Gopher tortoise

This gopher tortoise was on the edge of the pavement.

[Gopher tortoise, 2024-08-10, 10:23:19, 30.9942320, -83.2697720]
Gopher tortoise, 2024-08-10, 10:23:19, 30.9942320, -83.2697720

Since the Gopherus polyphemus was not actually crossing Quarterman Road and seemed to be in no danger, I took a picture and moved on.

As you probably know, gophers are a keystone species, whose burrows host up to 300 other species, from insects to rattlesnakes.

This was on the way to the Neighborly morning chainsawing 2024-08-10.
http://www.okraparadisefarms.com/blog/?p=9507

-jsq

Tiny canebrake rattlesnake 2024-08-17

This timber rattlesnake was crossing our front driveway. Four dogs walked past and didn’t notice.

[Tail and Head, canebrake timber rattlesnake 2024-08-17]
Tail and Head, canebrake timber rattlesnake 2024-08-17

In their defense, this snake was only maybe a foot and a half long. Still, a nice canebrake, Crotalus horridus.

Eat mice and get bigger, snake. Continue reading →