Spotted Salamander: A Metric for Success
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There are species at Harmony Hill that remind us exactly why we are conservationists at heart and give us immediate reminders that what we are doing is making a difference. When we set out to protect this little corner of the world, we didn’t have a roadmap to follow, and we didn’t have a plan to get to where we are today. In fact, we are still fluid in our approach and are continually learning from Mother Nature. Her lessons will keep us forever her students and, even though we do have an overall goal, our management plan is not a rigid document that is unwavering. Instead, we walk towards to a grand plan for Harmony Hill knowing our efforts may change to meet the needs of the land as the climate and the surrounding area alters, sometimes more quickly than expected.
As with any goal, we look for definable metrics to show us if what we are doing is having the positive impact we are hoping for. In a business setting, this might be seen in specific performance outcomes. Fortunately, our metrics are not quite as cumbersome or as stuffy as those found in a corporate corner office. Oh, we have measurable goals we work towards; but we tend to think of them as dynamic and exciting when we see them come into focus.
Take this week’s spotlight species as a perfect example. At first glance, some may see it as just another species to add to the list of things at Harmony Hill; another line on a spreadsheet of plants and animals. To the casual observer, this may be just some slimy critter that serves as fish food or a weird animal they’ve heard lives underground. But to us, this is proof what we’re working towards is actually working and it is an example to anyone who would like to preserve and protect the environment that starting at home truly makes a difference.
Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) are not rare amphibians; but they are, in many ways, a special amphibian. You know we love to cover as many topics as we can during our visits, and this will be no exception! Buckle up and get ready to learn about a salamander that connects many aspects of nature, science, and good stewardship.
Having a range that covers much of the eastern United States, portions of southeastern Canada and the Great Lakes region, even pushing westwards through the gulf states and into parts of Texas and Oklahoma, Spotted Salamanders are a pretty common salamander. But allow us to ask you this, “How often have you seen them in the wild and when was the last time you saw one?” We know professional naturalists who have gone years between sightings and have even spoke to some avid outdoors people who have never seen one at all. That’s because they are a secretive species that lives most of its adult life under the cover of logs, leaf litter, and even several inches of topsoil. This fossorial lifestyle means it isn’t a species you can count on encountering on just any walk in the woods.
The only times we’ve encountered them outside of research or population surveys has been in early spring, when adults move to breeding vernal pools, wetlands, and sheltered ponds. In our neck-of-the-woods, that spring breeding season may begin long before spring is even found on the calendar. There are years that rainfalls might be sufficient and temperatures warm enough to cause adult Spotted Salamanders to come out into the open and head to breeding waters in December. Then again, we may have to wait until February or March to experience the nights of migration in which these gorgeous amphibians walk to begin breeding.
In the southern part of their range, of which we are on the very southeastern portion, we can often see three rounds of breeding by adult Spotted Salamanders over the course of better than two months. Heading north, those numbers reduce significantly, with populations in Maine, Canada, and the Great Lakes regions seeing one or, potentially, two rounds of breeding occurring in just a week or so.
And the waters where they breed? Well, they overwhelmingly prefer pools of water with little to no pressure from predators. Ephemeral pools of water offer places to lay eggs and allow those eggs to develop into larval Spotted Salamanders without the worries of fish devouring the growing amphibians.
They can and do utilize places that replicate this habitat, including artificial ponds, fishless wetlands, and even flooded ditches. While they have been documented breeding in ponds that have carnivorous fish, for obvious reasons, those are not the most productive or preferred waters. At Harmony Hill, we are fortunate to have bottomland wooded areas that see flooding, but are void of fish. We have been fortunate the last few years to have experienced flooding, and that has been good for numerous species, like the Spotted Salamander. We also have a pond that has very limited numbers of fish to consume amphibians that lay egg masses in its waters.
Eggs usually take between three and six weeks here to develop into larval Spotted Salamanders. As eggs, something unique and quite rare occurs in developing Spotted Salamanders. A relationship with a single-celled algae, Oophila ablystomatis, happens with each egg. Whether this relationship is truly mutualistic is not at all clear. Instead of absolutely mutualistic, this relationship seems to favor the developing salamander eggs.
Usually, the algae are inside the eggs when they are laid; passed down from the adult female. The immune systems of the developing eggs are even set to have no response to the outside genetic material. Sometimes, the algae will occupy an area just outside the egg, but within the egg mass and close enough to benefit the eggs. But what is the purpose of the algae and egg relationship?
Simply put, the eggs benefit from the oxygen and energy (in the form of simple sugar) produced by photosynthesis in the algae cells and the algae cells benefit from the liquid nitrogen waste from the developing salamander eggs. Now, we all know it isn’t always as simple as it looks on paper. There have been studies which show the algae suffers a little more than it may benefit from growing along with the Spotted Salamander eggs. There are many occasions in which photosynthesis isn’t efficient enough to produce enough energy and oxygen for both the egg and the algae. In these circumstances, especially as the egg grows and its size and color reduce the ability for the algae to photosynthesize, the algae must turn to fermentation to supply itself with the energy to continue the relationship. As it continues to take advantage of the salamander waste and utilize the nitrogen, this relationship never really enters the realm of parasitism.
The larval stage lasts between two and three months, and it is a completely aquatic larval stage. As larva, these salamanders will eat just about anything they can fit into their mouths, which are usually aquatic invertebrates. However, they will readily eat tadpoles, small fish, and even other salamander larvae. To our great joy, larval Spotted Salamanders have been documented consuming great numbers of mosquito larvae, adding to our holistic pest control approach!
When they lose their gills, leave the water, and become adults, their diet continues to include just about anything that will fit into their mouths. While this primarily consists of things like earthworms and insects, they have been documented taking advantage of small frogs and even other, smaller salamanders. Several years ago, we were fortunate enough to see an adult Spotted Salamander eating a Ring-necked Snake.
As adults, they are unmistakable in appearance, with that dark body and two rows of yellow spots running down the length of their bodies. They may be black, dark charcoal grey, or even a deep blue or green; but, they all look very much the same. Being up to 8”-9” in length, they are larger than most any other salamander. 6”-7” is the usual length we encounter here.
They are subject to be prey to a long, long list of predators; with skunks, raccoons, opossums, snakes, frogs, toads, fish, and birds, just to name a few! This is where being fossorial comes as a big advantage in avoiding predation.
In another instance of being a scientific marvel of nature, Spotted Salamanders are capable of regenerating entire limbs, should a would-be predator take a leg or tail. As if that isn’t impressive enough, there have been recorded instances of Spotted Salamanders regrowing things much more vital than a new tail or even an entire leg! Spotted Salamanders have been known to regrow internal organs and even portions of their heads and brains! Their regenerative capabilities are being studied to potentially help humans who have suffered injury or even some birth defects.
At each stage of their lives, Spotted Salamanders rely on waters that are free of contaminates and habitats that are protected from everything from increased runoff to harmful chemicals. Seeing Spotted Salamanders at Harmony Hill means we are offering a buffer from development, overharvesting of trees in adjacent forests, and use of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and other chemicals in the area.
One of our goals is to be a refuge. We strive to provide clean and healthy habitats for plants and animals, as well as for us. Spotted Salamanders are one of those measurable metrics showing our efforts are working and our goals are being attained. Clean water, quality habitats, space for native plants and animals to flourish; all things we see in Spotted Salamanders at Harmony Hill.
Just as important as this is for us, it is also something we can show neighbors and anyone interested in protecting their own piece of nature. And it is something we can show you, our fellow naturalists. You don’t have to have a massive piece of property or deep pockets. Every acre counts and even small steps matter in the journey towards helping Mother Nature. That’s what we see when we observe Spotted Salamanders. Not simply a lovely dark salamander with yellow spots, but proof that we can make a difference; that we can be good stewards and take care of those without the voice to advocate for themselves.
It’s Not Easy Being Gray
Though autumn is here, let’s look back at just a few weeks ago, when the hot days of summer had taken hold and even the woods and fields which were normally filled with sound and motion got quiet and still.
The occasional bird song or cicada call echoed through the air and a grasshopper or butterfly might venture out on the wing to take short flights. Even our amphibian friends around the pond had grown more hushed in the heat of those sweltering days. Another frog, away from the pond, was heard and seen. Whether drowned out by its more vocal and conspicuous kin, this frog is easily overlooked. But not today and not as we take walk in the wood at Harmony Hill.
Away from the waters of the pond, we encounter treefrogs. The one species of treefrog (Family Hylidae) we have documented so far at Harmony Hill is the Cope’s Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis). We’ve been hearing their trill vocalizations throughout the summer, echoing from upland pine forests to bottomland hardwoods. Quite often, we hear them call from their perches in trees during the lazy warm days, but they tend to do most of their singing once the day has begun to give way to evening time. To many, the call of this frog is often written off as background noise. And their cryptic colors and patterns mean they aren’t the most eye-catching frog at Harmony Hill. However, if you’ve joined us for even one walk in the wood, you know we don’t simply write anything off as background noise and we find beauty and fascination in all flora and fauna on this beautiful landscape.
Why don’t we begin by looking at the namesake of the Cope’s Gray Treefrog? Edward Drinker Cope (1840-1897) was an American naturalist from Philadelphia. Known for his knowledge and passion for everything from frogs and fish to fossils and physiology, Cope was mostly self-taught and looked for nearly any excuse to get outside to study nature. Driven by curiosity, Cope was keenly interested in paleontology. His demeaner, determination, and approaches were known to cause problems in his personality and character, even blinding him to the humanity and ability of others. It is for him that this mostly gray-colored and mottled tree frog is named.
The genus name of Hyla means “wood”, “forest” or “timber”. This is a clear reference to the members of this genus being found in trees. Chryso is the Greek word meaning “gold”, while kelis is the Greek word for “stain” or “a spot”. Combining those two words gives us the species name of chrysoscelis, referencing both the metallic sparkling found in the granular skin of the frog and the bright gold-orange coloration hidden on the inner thigh of the frog.
Cope’s Gray Treefrogs depend on their cryptic colors and pattern to provide extremely effective camouflage to hide from predators. Whether found perched on pine, holly, oak, or hickory trees, they blend in and look like little more than a bump or knot on the trunk or limb. If discovered; however, they will leap away at the last minute, displaying the flash of orange on the inside of their groin. This flash of color serves as a distraction to potential predators, causing a cautious pause and allowing the frog to escape.
Like other frogs, being an amphibian, Cope’s Gray Treefrogs are dependent upon water for reproduction. Males will find a pond or ephemeral wet area, one without fish whenever possible, and begin calling from somewhere high up in a tree. At Harmony Hill, there happens to be just such areas found in various habitats around the property. The two separate Cope’s shown in the photographs this week were found not too far from wet areas that have been drying in the recent weeks.
When the females arrive to investigate the singing, the males maneuver down the tree to the ground, where they mate. The females later lay their eggs in “packets” of between 30-40 eggs and attach them to vegetation in the pond or wet area. Hatch times and tadpole development times are entirely dependent upon water temperatures. Under most summertime conditions at Harmony Hill, the time from the egg hatch to tadpoles and, finally, metamorphosis to Cope’s Gray Treefrogs emerging from the water usually spans a timeframe of 45-60 days.
Cope’s Gray Treefrogs are physically identical to Gray Treefrogs (Hyla versacolor) and should never be identified by appearance alone. For many years, they were thought to be the same species, perhaps simply being two subspecies of the same species. Genetic research and DNA sampling proved them to be separate from one another.
But, if they look just alike and we don’t have DNA laboratories at Harmony Hill, how are we to distinguish them as Cope’s Gray Treefrogs or Gray Treefrogs? We have a wonderful tip for you!
The calls of the two frogs are quite different and provide a definitive way to identify the two species. The calls are also different enough that females of the two species do not tend to mate with a male of the other species. And if you’re wondering what that difference is, well the trill of the Cope’s is faster than the trill of the Eastern. If you ever have the chance to hear both species, the difference is pronounced enough that you can confidently tell them apart once you learn them. And, since you’re all our fellow naturalists, we believe in your identification abilities!
The genetic research we mentioned that led to the separation of the two species also led to the discovery that Cope’s Gray Treefrogs have diploid chromosomes, or two sets of chromosomes in each cell nuclei. Their relative, the Gray Treefrog, has tetraploid chromosomes, or four sets of chromosomes in each cell nuclei.
Before we part company this week, there’s one last cool fact about Cope’s Gray Treefrogs. They are capable of secreting a slightly toxic substance from their skin. While this toxin will not harm you directly if you handle a Cope’s Gray Treefrog, please be absolutely certain to wash your hands thoroughly after you handle this, or any, frog species. As a matter of fact, let’s make that a rule after handling any wild animal!
This toxic skin secretion from Cope’s Gray Treefrogs is known to irritate eyes, mouths, mucus lining of noses, and open wounds of mammals. Humans can be especially sensitive to the secretion and it is an effective deterrent to predation. To avoid forgetfully wiping your eyes or nose and having a potential reaction, be very careful and mindful while handling the frog and please wash your hands well immediately when done.
The Thespian of Harmony Hill: A Closer Look At the Eastern Hognose Snake
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Mornings often find us sitting in the golden glow of the sun, watching our bird feeders and the various species visiting for black oil sunflower seeds, white millet, and safflower seeds. Each species has their own behavior for choosing exactly which seed they want, even how they approach the feeders. Carolina Chickadees fly in, toss a few seeds around as they search for just the right sunflower seed, then quickly fly to a nearby tree to secretively peck away at their treasure. Blue Jays broadcast their presence from afar and swoop in like a massive bomber, scaring all other interested parties away. With the feeders rocking under the force of their deliberate landing, they continue to scream as they forage for whatever fits in their beaks.
Then, there are the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds buzzing around their nectar feeders. More often resembling gladiators looking to draw first blood than the aerial gemstones they sometimes seem to be, the maneuvers and acrobatics they demonstrate put any fighter jet to shame.
As elaborate and entertaining as these moments in the morning are, they pale in comparison to another animal’s behavior we’ve seen on walks at Harmony Hill. There is a resident here with behaviors that, evolved and instinctual as they are, appear to be little more than the histrionics and grandstandings of a comedic actor. A snake that is still fogged in superstition and misunderstanding in some parts of it range, but one we love seeing each time we encounter it.
The Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) is one of our nonvenomous and diurnal, or daytime, snakes here at Harmony Hill. Though they come in a variety of patterns and color morphs, their upturned noses make them unmistakable and easy to identify.
Most of the adults we observe here are a uniform black color, or melanistic, along the entire tops of their bodies. On rare occasions, we might see an adult with large, dark brown rectangles set against a lighter beige background. Juveniles here, on the other hand, are always patterned with contrasting yellows, beiges, browns, and even tinges of orange. Those patterns are a pretty good piece of near mimicry, making them appear much more like tiny rattlesnakes than hognose snakes. Perhaps having a similar appearance to a venomous snake grants them a little hesitation from potential predators and allows them the time to grow into adults.
Being in the lower piedmont, Harmony Hill has plenty of rock outcrops and places where the terrain will give you a workout walking uphill. But we also have sandy soils in upland pine woods, some ephemeral wetland areas, quiet creek banks and pond edges.
Regardless of where you look across their large range, which covers Minnesota to New Hampshire and southward to Florida and eastern Texas, that soil and habitat formula is perfect for Eastern Hognose Snakes. As with any species, we look at quality habitat from several perspectives. Being the good naturalists we are, why don’t we look at why sandy soils, pine forests, and waters with little to no movement are a prescription for finding Eastern Hognose Snakes.
First of all, we couldn’t expect a snake to be here if there wasn’t sufficient prey for it to survive and succeed. For Eastern Hognose Snakes, they overwhelmingly prefer toads as their prey. As a species, they so prefer toads over anything else that it can be an exclusive, toad only diet! Make no mistake, they have been documented taking other prey items such as frogs, salamanders, and even insects and small mammals. It has been our experience; however, that those other prey items are a very small percentage of the Eastern Hognose Snake diet. Of the times we’ve observed Eastern Hognose Snakes feeding, we’ve only seen them take Southern Toads, Fowler’s Toads, Eastern Narrowmouth Toads, and Eastern Spadefoot Toads.
Toads tend to be fossorial, a term that simply means they spend a large amount of time burrowed underground. Have you ever had to dig a hole? Softer, sandier soils are much easier to dig in and out of, no matter the species. Toads also need standing water or, in the very least, water with very little movement in which they lay their eggs. With much of Harmony Hill having sandy soils, shallow pond edges, a creek that occasionally spills over to leave standing water, and wetland sites that hold water after big rains, the overall toad population here is healthy.
In shades of the movie “Field of Dreams” and the quote, “If you build it, they will come.”, if you have the toads, the hognoses will show up. That is the case for us here.
That upturned nose that gives this snake their name is used to dig into the soil to find toads to eat. But the toads are not totally defenseless when discovered. Toads have two main defense strategies to deter predation, with toxic skin and the ability to inflate to many times their normal size serving as perfect ways to avoid being eaten. Eastern Hognose snakes have evolved ways around those defenses, however.
Inside the digestive systems of this snake are enzymes that counteract toxins found on toad skins! And Eastern Hognose Snakes have unique, longer rear teeth that serve as a means of delivering a mild toxin and, most importantly serve to pop inflating toads like a balloon! Looking at their genus name, Heterodon, meaning “different tooth”; it is a reference to those rear fangs. Back to that upturned “hognose”, we find a link to their species name, platirihinos. That word translates to “flat nose”.
Another wonderful use for that nose is female Eastern Hognose Snakes can dig their own burrows to lay their eggs. Though, at Harmony Hill, they rarely have to. We have an abundance of rock overhangs, holes dug by critters from squirrels to foxes, and natural depressions that mean female hognoses have plenty of readymade places to lay their eggs.
Finally, the whole reason we’re visiting with you this week; their outlandish behavior! When Eastern Hognose Snakes sense any threat, they become master thespians and put on a show better than anything you’re likely to see on stage or screen. The first thing this snake does at perceived danger is to try to look big and scary. They flatten their heads and swell up to look larger than they are. They’ll even begin hissing loudly to take the bluff to another level. If that doesn’t work, they’ll strike at whatever threat they’re doing their dead level best to fool into thinking they’re dangerous. But guess what?! They rarely even open their mouths when they do this bluff strike! Even when they do open their mouths, they don’t follow through with a bite; as though a bite could do anything to a potential predator. This behavior has led to them to be called “Puff Adder”, “Spreading Adder”, and “Spread Head Moccasin”. And it has also led some to believe they are dangerous and venomous snakes, neither of which are the case at all.
If the rough and tough show fails to deter the threat, they step up to the pièce de résistance! Pulling out all the stops and proving their acting chops, the snake will roll over onto its back, writhe in what looks like the last throws of death, smear a foul musk all over themselves, open their mouth, stick their tongue out, and play dead! By appearing to die and covering themselves in a malodorous musk, they try to convince a predator they are diseased and not to be consumed.
The act doesn’t end with the death scene. Nope! If they are disturbed and rolled back right side up, they will flip back over and get back to pretending to be dead. They will stay that way until they think the danger has passed. Only then will they decide the coast is clear, roll back over and slither away. If the threat returns, they will flop right back into the greatest death scene we’ve ever witnessed!
As whacky as their antics are, the behavior serves a wonderful survival purpose! Evolution has rewarded the reptilian actor and Harmony Hill benefits from the presence of Eastern Hognose Snakes. Sure, we delight in their beauty and their histrionics. But we also benefit from the check they keep on our toad population and from the predators that keep the hognose population at an appropriate level. Coyotes and Red-tailed Hawks, Eastern Kingsnakes and Bobcats are just a few of the predators that feed on Eastern Hognose Snakes. They are yet another vital part of the healthy ecosystems of Harmony Hill, another species that shows us our management efforts are working. And in this circumstance, a species that is a case study in animal behavior and bluffing your way out of trouble!
Cryptic Critter
Walking along the trails of Harmony Hill on spring mornings brings joy and delight in a variety of ways. The warm, morning sun kissing your face as it glimmers in and out of the dappling shade of new leaves on the trees instantly puts a smile on your face. Likewise, the flutter of butterfly wings passing in front of wildflowers and the chorus of birds singing lilting and flute-like songs lifts your spirit until you’re nearly floating above the ground. Catching a glimpse of other woodland creatures not nearly as conspicuous, and not traditionally seen as “beautiful”, will still stop you in your tracks. That is the story of our four-legged reptile friend… a nontraditional looker that is capable of holding your attention and that is deserving of as much appreciation as any resident of our neck-of-the-woods.
In an open area of the forest, the bobbing of a very small head is spotted on the backside of an old Loblolly Pine stump. The movement is fast, and the participant is too preoccupied to notice you just a few meters away. You stop everything and watch a cryptic and camouflaged, spiny lizard as it does pushups and bobs its head up and down. This spring dance is one that Eastern Fence Lizards have done for millennia, and this morning is a continuation of a natural urge to establish territory and to attract a mate to reproduce. And, as in many places, it is a dance we are able to enjoy here at Harmony Hill.
As one of the most common lizards in South Carolina, Eastern Fence Lizards (Sceloporus undulatus) can be found anywhere open forests and areas where meadows meet wood lines. Easily identified by scales that are keeled, or appearing to be rough and almost spiky, this species is tough to mistaken for any other lizard in South Carolina. Keeled scales appear rough because they have a center ridge that usually extends the full length of the scale, giving it that diagnostic rough and spiny appearance.
They prefer drier areas and overwhelmingly prefer places where they can climb to bask, such as fenceposts! (Hence, the common name, Fence Lizard!) One thing is for sure, they love to climb and are our most tree-loving lizard here. Their arboreal nature can be seen as they bask in the warmth of the sun, as they seek to escape danger and, in this instance, finding a high perch to establish a territory as theirs.
Speaking of escaping danger, this lizard doesn’t usually look for a hole to hide in or cover to shelter it when it thinks it spots a predator. They do quite the opposite! Instead of running to a hole, they race to the nearest tree, or tree-like structure, climb several feet up and scamper to the opposite side. This escape method of quickly getting to the opposite side of a tree is not unique to Eastern Fence Lizards and can even be found in their distant relatives, the woodpeckers! (Woodpeckers will often land on a tree and immediately scurry 90o to 180o on the trunk of a tree to avoid being taken by a predator, such as a pursuing Accipiter hawk.)
As for the scientific name, the genus name of “Sceloporus” refers to pores found on the undersides of their hind legs that are used to excrete lipids for attracting mates and marking territory. The species name of “undulatus” is in reference to the wavy, dark bands that are often (but, not always) present on the backs of this lizard. You’ll notice that the lizards in these photos don’t exhibit clear markings, showing this isn’t always a diagnostic identification field marking.
In the early part of the spring at Harmony Hill, usually late March through early May, male Eastern Fence Lizards will find a stump, fallen log, fencepost, low branch or even the top of the root ball of an overturned tree and begin working to attract a potential mate. They also use this time to reinforce territorial boundaries for potential interloping males. Depending upon food resources, a territory could be as small as 50-75 m2. When food isn’t quite as abundant, that area could easily double.
As for their diet, it is varied and includes just about any invertebrate that they can fit into their mouths. Beetles, spiders, moths, butterflies, flies, cockroaches and even worms are on the menu. While they’re not particular about what they eat, they are fairly particular about how they catch their meals. Eastern Fence Lizards are incredibly dependent upon sight to hunt and choose to sit tight and let their camouflage work for them, waiting for possible food items to come to them. When an unsuspecting invertebrate gets near, the lizard will make a quick movement to catch it.
Sight isn’t only important for hunting; it is also critical to spotting a healthy and viable partner to mate with and pass along their genes. Male Eastern Fence Lizards develop large areas of bright blue markings on their undersides. On their throats and on the sides of their abdomens, an iridescent blue can be seen shining in the sun during breeding season. Females have some blue on their undersides, but nothing like what is found on the males.
Later in the early summer, females will usually lay between 4-14 eggs. At Harmony Hill, that tends to be very late May and into mid-June. Around the end of July, hatching begins, and miniature versions of the adults begin to roam the woodlands of the southern piedmont of South Carolina. Measuring about 1.5”-2”, the newly hatched lizards look very much like tiny versions of the females.
Adults can easily grow well above 6”, with females being larger than males. It isn’t out of the question to find females nearing 7.5”. This size difference between females and males, referred to as sexual dimorphism, finds females of this species being 10-15% larger than males. Fun fact… while females tend to be longer, overall, than males, they often have shorter tails than their male counterparts!
Life isn’t easy for our Eastern Fence Lizards, as they face a gauntlet of predators at just about every turn. Birds, such as American Crows, Blue Jays, American Kestrels and Loggerhead Shrikes are quite good at hunting them. And on the ground, a variety of snakes excel at capturing and consuming them. Now you see why they race to the nearest tree and quickly hide on the other side! Danger from above and below besets them all day!
The next time you find yourself wandering along the edge of an open forest, be sure to keep a keen eye out for these well-camouflaged reptiles and you just may witness pushups and head bobs. If you’re lucky, you’ll have the opportunity to watch one of the more common species of lizard in the southeast. And, if you take the time to soak up the gift of nature before you, you’ll learn that in no way does common mean ordinary or ugly! We, here at Harmony Hill, are not on the fence about the uncommon beauty of this common species.
Southern Leopard Frog
Last weekend, Jasmine uploaded three photos of a frog encountered at Harmony Hill (see the previous post in this channel). This frog is one that can be a bit confusing to identify by sight, but this species is almost unmistakable by voice.
Why would this species be confusing to identify by sight? That is the most important question to answer and, when we answer that question, removing the confusion will make this frog MUCH EASIER to identify!
This species sort of looks like another species or two found in the same genus, but there are field markings that differentiate this species. This species of frog also comes in a WIDE variety of colorations, all in the brown to green spectrum. Some individuals are all brown, with spots. However, some individuals are all green, with spots. And there are quite a lot of individuals that are gradients of brownish/greenish over different parts of their bodies, with spots! AND, as if that weren’t enough confusion, the spots can be various shapes and sizes!
Now that we’ve introduced as much confusion as we can, let’s start clearing the clouded waters. Let’s look at the constants that we can look at to identify this species. Found on this species of frog are prominent, light colored ridges on each side of its back that start just behind each eye. Furthermore, there is a light band in each eye that extends onto the light ridges on the back.
Next, let’s look at the tympanum (or external eardrum) seen just below and behind the eyes. A definitive field mark to look for on the tympanum is a light-colored dot right in the middle. (I’ve included a closeup of one of Jasmine’s photos that highlight this field marking. I have placed a red arrow pointing to the dot in the middle of the tympanum.)
This species also has a pale upper lip and belongs to the family Ranidae, the true frogs.
Having covered what to look for to identify this species, that leaves one major question… Well, Josh, what is it?! It’s a Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus)! Those spots that show up on all members of this species are responsible for their common name. They’re spotted, like a leopard.
There are some who still list the scientific name of this species as (Rana sphenocephalus). It’s also not uncommon to see it listed with both genus names and have it written as (Lithobates [Rana] sphenocephalus). What’s that all about?
The older genus name, Rana, is a direct link to the name of the true frog family of Ranidae. Rana and Ranidae are different names indicating “true frogs”. The new genus name, Lithobates, is Greek for “rock walker” (Litho, meaning stone and Bates, meaning one who walks upon.) Their species name, sphenocephalus, means “head shaped like a wedge”. I’ve placed a red circle on the snout of the photo to highlight that pointed nose.
There are 8 other members of the genus, Lithobates (or still listed as Rana), in South Carolina. However, Harmony Hill is definitively in the range of two other species in this genus, Bullfrog and Green Frog. The land is potentially in the range of three other species in this genus, Carpenter Frog, Gopher Frog and River Frog.
As an amphibian, Southern Leopard Frogs are tied to water. To lay eggs and to keep their skins moist, they must be in the vicinity of water. Their eggs have to be laid in water and, with this species, that water is most likely shallow water that has little predation (usually fish). They also lay their eggs so that they’re anchored to some vegetation. However, Southern Leopard Frogs are often found quite some distance from water. While doing the snake research at Carolina Sandhills NWR, I regularly found Southern Leopard Frogs over half-a-mile from standing water. So, don’t be surprised if you encounter them away from where you might expect them!
Their diets are pretty varied, including any insects or invertebrates that might fit in their mouths. I’ve seen them munching away on crayfish. Their especially fond of crayfish that have recently molted. With that varied diet, Southern Leopard Frogs are apt to be active anytime of the day or night.
As for that unmistakable call… I’ve always said it reminds me of the sound of a balloon being twisted, much like the sound you might hear when a clown is making balloon animals. I’m attaching a YouTube video of their call for you to listen to. What do you think? Do you agree with me? Does the call sound like a balloon being rubbed or twisted to you?
No other frog in the Harmony Hill area sounds like the Southern Leopard Frog. With that in mind, this is a GREAT species to begin our toad and frog journey as we learn a little more about the Story of the Land. When you see those light-colored ridges, those dots in the middle of each tympanum, that pointed snout, those spots and when you hear that twisted balloon croak, you have Southern Leopard Frogs on the land!
As I’ve made a concerted effort to do in previous posts, I’ve also made sure to look into a species that can also be found easily in Florida. And Southern Leopard Frogs can be found throughout the Sunshine State.
The Elusive Coral Snake
Easily, one of the reptiles that I am frequently asked about in the southeast, but much less frequently encounter, is the Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius). For a snake that is seldom seen in South Carolina, I get almost as many questions about Coral Snakes as I do rattlesnakes, copperheads or cottonmouths.
First of all, as we often do, let’s take a look at that scientific name. The genus name, Micrurus, means “tiny tail”. (Micro = small, tiny or short. Oura = tail.) Snakes in this genus tend to have a rather short tail, which they often use as a distraction when they are threatened. They will lift their short tail and curl it to take attention away from their body and head.
The species name, fulvius, is derived from the Greek term to describe the color fawn, reddish, yellow (or a shade of yellow, orange). The species name was given when a faded and not-well preserved specimen was used to describe the snake. The red on the dead snake had faded to an almost orange color, instead of the vibrant reds we see on live Eastern Coral Snakes.
Next, why don’t we discuss the trick of identifying these snakes? As there are a couple of other snakes that look quite similar and have the same bright colors, combined with the toxicity of their venom, knowing how to correctly identify Eastern Coral Snakes is important. The rhyme, “Red on yellow kills a fellow. Red on black, venom lack” (or, “Red on black, friend of Jack”), is the easiest way to remember the identification of these snakes. While the Scarlet King Snake and Scarlet Snake look quite a bit like the Eastern Coral snake, their red bands and saddles touch black bands or saddles. (See this post’s photos for a better visual on the similarities and differences) Eastern Coral Snakes have banding with red touching yellow bands. This similarity is evidence of the most complex mimicry in nature. Also, Eastern Coral Snakes always have a black nose! If you look at the photos, you'll see the coral snake has a black nose; but, the Scarlet King Snake has a red nose, as does the Scarlet Snake.
Mertensian mimicry is mimicry in which the most harmful species mimics a less harmful species. This goes contrary to Batesian and Müllerian mimicry, in which less harmful, or even harmless, species mimic species that are much more harmful. (Don’t worry, we’ll discuss different types of mimicry in greater detail during a future visit with each other. I promise it’ll come back up again as we talk about insects found on the property.)
As always, if you cannot correctly identify a snake, you should always treat it as though it is venomous! That means give them respect and plenty of space.
The Eastern Coral Snake is the only venomous snake species in South Carolina that is not a pit viper. Instead, it belongs to the Elapidae family, which also includes such snakes as cobras, kraits, mambas and all Australian venomous snakes. Whereas the pit vipers have venoms made up mostly or entirely of hemotoxic proteins, which affect blood and tissue; Elapids have venoms made up mostly of neurotoxic proteins, which affect the nervous system. Their neurotoxic venom is more potent than hemotoxic venom and it takes far less of it to immobilize or dispatch prey when compared to the hemotoxic venom of pit vipers. For Eastern Coral Snakes, prey consists of other snakes, lizards and fellow reptiles.
Eastern Coral Snakes do not have the large, hinged fangs found in pit vipers. They have fixed fangs that are relatively short, often protruding only 1/8th of an inch from their upper labial scales (upper lip). Those short fangs are still very much capable of delivering enough venom to be a lethal dose, which is only about 5 milligrams for a healthy adult. Like other Elapids, Eastern Coral Snakes have proteroglyphous dentition. As we did the last time, let’s break that down to explain this scientific term. In ancient Greek, “proto” was the word for front or forward and “glypho” referred to a carved work. When the two Greek words are combined to describe dentition, it literally means, “having grooved teeth located in the front of the mouth”; which is ideal for describing fixed fangs that are located in the anterior of the mouth.
Despite what anyone may have said, humans are not too large for envenomation by Eastern Coral Snakes. They do not need to gnaw on us for an extended period of time and they do not need to bite between your fingers to cause you serious harm. Those small fangs can deliver their venom anywhere from your legs to your arms. However, Eastern Coral Snakes are the least encountered venomous snake in South Carolina and, like other snakes, they would much rather steer clear of humans. They cannot eat us; thus, they would rather not deal with us. Keeping that in mind, I was grateful to hear Sunshine say she doesn’t indiscriminately kill snakes. She doesn’t accept that whole “The only good snake is a dead snake” mumbo-jumbo. All of our native snakes, both venomous and nonvenomous, are good and they all serve a purpose.
This species should not be found in the lower piedmont area, but it is a great deal more common in Florida and the coastal plain areas of South Carolina. And I wanted to give a comparison to the far more common pit vipers to round out our lesson on the venomous snakes of South Carolina and the southeast
Pit Vipers At Harmony Hill
Though the calendar has now been flipped to the month of March and spring is right around the corner, in South Carolina it has been warming considerably and the signs of that annual rebirth have been popping up everywhere. Days are getting longer, but cooler temperatures are apt to come back to South Carolina perhaps once more before mid-April. Birds have begun their annual migrations north, but the warmth that has been around the last month has been sufficient to get snakes active. Being exothermic, or cold-blooded as I was taught in elementary school, snakes take environmental warmth and warm themselves to activate processes such as locomotion and digestion.
As we discussed in our last visit, there are 38 species of snakes in South Carolina, with only six of those being venomous. Now, there are many that refer to venomous snakes as poisonous, whereas you will hear me only refer to them as being venomous. There is a clear distinction between the two terms, from a biological and scientific point of view. The difference is found in the way a creature delivers toxins, be it actively through a specialized anatomical apparatus or passively through indirect means. Venomous animals, such as some species of snakes, spiders, bees and wasps use fangs and stingers to deliver toxins via injection. Poisonous animals, such as some species of frogs, toads, butterflies and moths are only harmful if eaten or touched. As each of the six species of venomous snakes found here actively delivers toxins through modified teeth known as fangs, they are venomous and not poisonous. Why don’t we start out with a look at some of our venomous snakes?
Five of our venomous snakes belong to a group known as pit vipers. An amazing group, the pit vipers have evolved an incredible ability that has made them the ultimate survivor and predator, especially under the cover of night. As their name implies, members of the Viperidae family, such as Pygmy Rattlesnakes, Canebrake Rattlesnakes, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes, Eastern Cottonmouths and Copperheads, have pits located on their faces between the nostrils and eyes, usually located below either of those facial features. These pits are highly evolved heat sensing organs that serve a number of uses. Being sensitive enough to determine changes in temperature gradients of as little as 1/1000th of a degree, the pits add another dimension of “vision” to the snake and allow it to “see” temperatures more accurately than most heat sensing cameras used by first responders.
Being able to see specific hot and cool changes upon the landscape allows members of the Viperidae family to not only see endothermic prey cloaked in darkness or camouflaged by cryptic colors, but also to find cool places during the heat of the day and warm places on cool nights. While doing snake research years ago at Carolina Sandhills NWR, one of the criteria I would look at when I captured a live snake laying in the road was the surface temperature of the asphalt versus the air temperature at time of capture. Overwhelmingly, we found their ability to detect the warmth of the asphalt roads inside the protected boundaries of the refuge gave them a chance to actively use them as warming surfaces.
Pit vipers also have the most evolved dentition found in the serpent world. They have solenoglyphous dentition. In ancient Greek, “solenas” was the word for tube or pipe and “glypho” referred to a carved work. When the two Greek words are combined to describe dentition, it literally means, “having teeth like tubes”; which perfectly describes fangs designed like hypodermic needles. Viperidae snakes here have independently movable front fangs that are markedly longer than any of their other teeth. In some cases these fangs are about half the length of the snake’s head, which isn’t a problem as they can open their mouths nearly 180 degrees. Viperidae actively inject venom by compressing muscles surrounding specialized venom storage cavities, called lumens. Though their hemotoxic venom isn’t as potent as the neurotoxic venom of the Coral Snake, they are capable of manufacturing and injecting much more in a single bite than a Coral Snake ever could. (More on that beautiful snake when next we gather this week!)
Our smallest pit viper is the Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus milliarius). You will sometimes see it also spelled “Pigmy”. The scientific name means “Having the nature of a rattle and resembling millet”, referencing the tiny rattle (which is often nearly impossible to hear) and the cryptic coloration that can resemble grains of millet on its back. See the photo I took of a Pygmy 14 years ago to see the “individual grain pattern”. A very old Pygmy Rattlesnake can max out at a length of just shy of 2’, but the average length is between 10”-15”.
During the spring and summer of 2007, I captured and studied 111 Pygmy Rattlesnakes while conducting research. I found a Pygmy Rattlesnake which was 21” long and it was, by far, the largest Pygmy I’ve ever seen. They also come in a wide variety of colors; but, the pattern tends to stay the same, regardless of the overall color. (Side note, they are also pretty common in Florida. You may have seen a few down there.)
Pygmy Rattlesnakes are considered a much older species than the other rattlesnakes in South Carolina (or North America, for that fact). Their venom is weaker than their pit viper relatives and their head scales more closely resemble some nonvenomous snakes. And, with such a small rattle, the general consensus among biologists is that Pygmy Rattlesnakes predate the other pit vipers by several thousand years.
Our next largest rattlesnake is the Canebrake, or Timber, Rattlesnake. They are the same species (Crotalus horridus); but, are referred to as Canebrake Rattlesnakes in most of the Sandhill and Coastal Plain areas of South Carolina. When you get into the Piedmont and Mountain areas of the state, the snake is called Timber Rattlesnake. Their scientific name means “Horrible castanet”, which is both funny and sad. They do have a type of castanet on the end of their tail, but I would argue they aren’t horrible at all!
They are a beautiful tan or beige color, with dark chevrons down the length of their body. There is also a rust-colored line that runs along the spine of the snake. If you’ve seen them in the forest or in a field, you know how quickly they can disappear into the leaf litter or vegetation. There was a 3’ Canebrake Rattlesnake that would often hang out near one of the mist nets at a bird banding station I operated and, even with me knowing to be vigilant and have my awareness high, that snake would often be very near without me seeing it until I was close to it. (Thankfully, it was a very well-behaved snake, and it knew I wasn’t a threat.)
Our last, and largest, rattlesnake is the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus). With a common name like that and a scientific name meaning “castanet with diamonds)”, it goes without saying the large diamonds on the snake are the identifying feature. Unlike their western counterpart, the Eastern Diamondback does not have a black-and-white striped tail before the rattles. (This gives the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake the colloquial name “coon tail rattler” in much of its range)
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes are big. There is no other way to put it. It is not uncommon for a mature Eastern Diamondback to reach 6’ in length. The last time I checked, the largest measured was 8’ long. It is also not out of the question for these snakes to weigh in at 8-10 pounds. They are big snakes! And, like the Pygmy Rattlesnake, they are quite common in the palmetto and pine forests of Florida.
The genus, Agkistrodon, contains both the Copperhead and Eastern Cottonmouth. The genus name translates to “tooth like a fishhook” and implies the large fangs are, in fact, curved in shape. Let’s look at our last two pit vipers…
The Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) is, in my estimation, the most common venomous snake found in the lower piedmont area. They are most often found in drier, more upland areas from their cousin, the Cottonmouth. In fact, their family relation and that tendency has led to their colloquial name of “Upland Cottonmouth”.
True to their common name, they are a beautiful copper color overall, with darker hourglasses wrapping around their width. One quick aside, there are “northern” and “southern” subpopulations and the way to tell them apart is that “northern” Copperheads have spots between their hourglasses, while the “southern” Copperhead is cleanly colored in just copper and hourglasses. Where their ranges overlap and they interbreed, there will be intermediates with a nominal number of spots accompanying their hourglasses.
Copperheads are able to make their smelly musk into an aerosol and can spray it around themselves and towards a threat. I learned this lesson the hard way while doing the snake research at Carolina Sandhills NWR in 2007. I had a new Jeep Grand Cherokee and stopped in the road to catch a Copperhead in the middle of Wildlife Drive, only to have it spray a fine and invisible aerosol of musk at me. I was not at all affected, but the musk got into the air conditioning filter and vent of my Jeep and there were a couple years afterwards where you could smell hints of that musk after turning on the air conditioner for the first time in the spring. Lesson learned!
Like its cousin, the Cottonmouth, young Copperheads are born with lime green tails that they use as bait to lure in prey. They will hide under leaf litter or vegetation and wiggle their lime green tails out in the open, attracting everything from frogs and toads to worms that they hope to dine upon
Finally, in our long lesson on the pit vipers of SC is the Eastern Cottonmouth, or Water Moccasin. Their scientific name of (Agkistrodon piscivorus) and means “fish devourer with fishhook tooth”. They are, without any competition, our most aquatic venomous snake in the Harmony Hill area. They love to be in and around slow-moving water, like creeks and swamps. While they can be found around ponds, they don’t tend to like large water and aren’t found around lakes that often. They can also be found in dry areas, but that is when they are moving from one aquatic area to another.
Harmony Hill is on the very northern edge of the range of this species. They will eat anything that will fit in their mouths and I do mean ANYTHING that will fit in their mouths. While they make a very good living eating fish, they will eat very young turtles, alligators, mammals, birds and other snakes. While doing the snake research, I captured a couple of Eastern Cottonmouths with large, circular scars on their sides (about the size of a dime). I was confused as to what may have caused the scars, particularly since they were somewhat the same size and found on separate snakes. I posed the question to a herpetologist friend who said it was likely the result of catfish barbs that were poked through the snake, from the inside… a last gasp of survival from a catfish being devoured by the snake.
This species has the reputation of being aggressive and, to hear my grandmother tell it, they would all but follow you home and set your house on fire. She told me tale after tale of Eastern Cottonmouths chasing people to bite them. Turns out, she wasn’t exactly right. Cottonmouths will stand their ground and don’t retreat like other snakes. They will gape their mouths open, showing that cottony white mouth and even reinforce it with a hiss. However, they don’t chase, and they don’t readily bite. The vast majority of bites are in response to being harassed or when people are trying to kill them.
I’d like to point out that situation appears to be a common thread among many snake bites from the species we’ve learned about today. They don’t actively seek to bite humans and most snake bites are the result of the snake defending itself.
Snakes: Evolutionary Marvels!
“I just don’t like them.”
“They look creepy.”
“I hate them.”
“I’m scared to death of them.”
“They are the most evil creatures on Earth.”
These are actual responses I’ve been given concerning one of my favorite animals. Whether those attending the many nature walks I lead or simply individuals contacting me to identify what they’ve encountered, when I say how much I like and appreciate snakes, I invariably get some version of these answers from the majority of folks. There is no single group of animals that evokes such a reaction among people in this region. I had someone tell me, as a point of fact, it was due to snakes being cursed after the infamous Garden of Eden incident. But, you know me well enough to know I’m going to look a little deeper into the culture and ecology of it.
This subject came up with fellow anthropologists at a conference once and neither of us thought that a tale from the bible explained fully the image of snakes in human culture or the root of any negative image of snakes by humans. Many cultures around the world and throughout human history have, in fact, seen snakes as less than desirable. This is far from a rule of thumb; however, as there are many cultures that view snakes in very positive ways.
Greek mythology tells of Asclepius, the god of healing and medicine. Asclepius, the son of the god, Apollo, was raised by a centaur and taught the art of healing. While a phenomenal student, it wasn’t until a snake whispered the deepest secrets of medicine in his ear that Asclepius became legendary among both mortals and gods alike for his ability to diagnose and to heal. According to the Greek tales, snakes were revered for being keepers of the knowledge of medicine, wisdom, and even resurrection. They were sacred creatures in Greek culture and far from the bane of all creation they are portrayed as in much of American culture. Even in modern times, we see the Rod of Asclepius used as a symbol of healing. The logo of the American Medical Association is that of a staff entwined by a snake, tracing the origins of medicine back to the myth of Asclepius. This particular topic will come back up when we discuss milkweeds in the coming installments, as we tie species together (even those you may not think are related).
Also, as another aside, there are some medical establishments and groups using a logo with a staff with two snakes display a caduceus, belonging to Mercury (or Hermes, depending on which tale you read). The mix up with the staffs may go back to the practice of alchemy. The staff with two snakes, or caduceus, appears to have been adopted by US military medical corps in the early years of the 20th Century; but the AMA logo is the staff of Asclepius. This also seems to be something that only occurs in America, as the rest of the world pretty uniformly uses the staff of Asclepius for medical practices, not the caduceus of Mercury (or Hermes).
Have snakes always been seen as vile and putrid in America? The answer to that question is, quite simply, “No”. Several Native American cultures have stories of snakes being administers of justice, immortality, and transformation. Various First Nations’ tales depict the Lightning Snake, He’-e-tlik, as an enforcer of Nature’s Moral Code. Should anyone forsake the rules of proper hunting or fishing, or should they needlessly harm or kill any animal, He’-e-tlik would disfigure them. He’-e-tlik was so powerful that he was the constant companion of the Thunderbird, Tootooch. Tootooch, the most powerful creature to have ever lived, hunted Orcas by unleashing his friend, the Lightning Snake, upon them. He’-e-tlik was indeed well respected by those residing in northwestern North American.
In the American southwest, The Pima depict the rattlesnake as the most gentle and meek animal on earth, calling him Soft Child. One version of the Pima tale says all creatures were given the chance to decide what gifts they would be given by the Sky Spirit to protect themselves. While some chose claws, teeth and cunning, the rattlesnake only asked for a way to let others know he was there, since he was low and could be easily stepped upon. The Sky Spirit, in granting his wish, gave the rattlesnake its well-known rattle as a warning to the other animals. Unfortunately, the rattlesnake was so meek that some of the other animals mocked him and poked fun at him nonstop. One animal in particular, the rabbit, would always seek out the rattlesnake to tease him.
Seeing the way the rattlesnake was treated, the Sky Spirit came down one evening and visited with him. In an effort to level the playing field, the Sky Spirit gave the rattlesnake fangs tipped with lightning bolts, knowing the snake would only use them as a last resort. The next day, the rabbit came poking and kicking the rattlesnake until he could no longer take it. No matter how much the snake rattled and warned the rabbit, the teasing did not cease. In less time than it takes to blink an eye, the rattlesnake struck the rabbit with his lightning fangs and killed him. To this day, the rattlesnake is so gentle and meek that it will always rattle to warn that it is there, in the hopes it doesn't have to use the lightning bolt fangs it has.
Clearly, not all cultures painted snakes in a negative light; with many having great respect for them. What about how we respond of snakes? Where does that come from? For that answer, we’re going to have to go back much farther than the 10,000 years that saw early North American settlers and the rise of ancient Greece. For that answer, we’re going to have to go back about 80 million years ago, before primates diverged into the suborders Haplorrhini and Strepsirrhini.
Our ancestors were tree-dwellers and their biggest predator predated them by about 40 million years. Snakes have made a very good living hanging out in trees and eating whatever they can get in their mouths. Stealthy hunters, snakes are extremely adept at sneaking up to primates and preying upon them. Even today, snakes continue to hunt and eat primates. Our ancestors had to develop an acute awareness and ability to locate danger, such as a reptilian predator.
Recent studies have shown that primates have a much more acutely developed recognition of snakes. The pulvinar portion of the primate brain, which is responsible for receiving and processing signals from the eyes, has 91 extra, highly developed neurons when compared to other mammal pulvinar. These extra neurons are responsible for directing our attention, such as recognizing and being alerted to the presence of a snake. It allows us to recognize and spot the shape of a snake in our surroundings. Individuals with damaged pulvinar portions of their brains have increased difficulty focusing and become distracted with little or no reason. On a side note, I really could’ve used that excuse as a child when I couldn’t sit still in class or didn’t pay attention at home. “But I have a damaged pulvinar!”
When studied, primates have shown instantaneous recognition of snakes. Further reinforcing this instinctual response is linked to specific recognition is that it’s even seen in primates that were raised in labs. These primates had never seen a live snake before the experiment. With further research, it was proven the reaction to snakes is not learned, but is hardwired from our primate ancestors. It is a perceptual bias; that is, we recognize the shape and presence of snakes faster than other objects in our environment. Even those of us without an irrational fear of snakes have similar pulvinar responses.
You’ll notice this is the first mention I’ve made of fear. Living in the lower piedmont, people have scant reason to fear snakes. There are 38 species of snakes in SC, with only 6 of those being venomous. The 6 venomous snakes found in SC are: coral snake, copperhead, eastern cottonmouth, pygmy rattlesnake, canebrake (timber) rattlesnake, and the eastern diamondback rattlesnake. Of those 6, only 3 are fatal to healthy adults: the coral snake, canebrake rattlesnake and the eastern diamondback rattlesnake. Copperhead and eastern cottonmouth bites may be fatal to very young, old, or those with compromised immune systems. The last time I checked, there are no recorded human fatalities due to the bite of a pygmy rattlesnake. All snakebites that could occur in South Carolina are treatable, with quick and proper medical attention.
Since 2010, there have been 25 fatalities linked to venomous snakebites in the United States. Two of those fatalities were caused by nonnative exotic pets, a Monocled Cobra and a Black Mamba. Seven others of were due to improper and careless handling; one by someone attempting to determine the sex of the snake and four were during snake handling religious ceremonies. Just one fatality has been reported in South Carolina in over 90 years and that was a good friend and colleague, Wayne Grooms. Wayne was hiking at the Cuddho Unit of Santee NWR and, while walking along an area of riprap along the Lake Marion Shore, he was bitten by a Canebrake (Timber) Rattlesnake. Wayne was 71; but had a couple of health issues. He passed away within 15 minutes of being bitten, which is EXTREMELY FAST AND HIGHLY UNUSUAL for a snakebite from a Canebrake (Timber) Rattlesnake.
As a comparison, according to NOAA there was an average of 26 deaths each year related to lightning strikes in the United States from 2010 - 2019. That’s more people each year from lightning strikes than in the last 11 years from snakebites. So, you are far more likely to die from a lightning strike than from a snakebite!
Yet, with the likelihood of a fatal snakebite being so low, people still fear and hate snakes. Perhaps it's the way snakes move. Slithering around on their bellies, their locomotion is alien to us. We identify with animals that walk. Though they once had legs, vestigial pelvic spurs prominent in large snakes show the remnants of a pelvis and femur bones, snakes left walking behind in favor of burrowing, utilizing smaller spaces, and even swimming more efficiently. Admittedly, watching a snake as it crawls along the ground or swimming in the water gives pause. But, that is no justification for the level of hatred leveled at snakes.
Six states still host “rattlesnake roundups”. Atrocities and circuses woefully disguised as educational events to teach, these roundups are nothing more than public butchering of rattlesnakes on a wholesale level. Last year, at a roundup in Sweetwater, Texas, an appalling 3,900 pounds of rattlesnakes were slaughtered in the name of tourism and festivities. For a period of weeks or even months, rattlesnakes are flushed out by spraying noxious gasoline in their burrows and are gathered in drums and barrels. When the roundup comes around, the snakes are paraded around, killed, and skinned for those in attendance. Claiming they are trying to reduce the possibilities for snakebites, people with little or no education in natural history search far and wide for animals that pose little threat to them. Most carry guns for protection; lest the snakes they are harassing and capturing attempt to protect themselves. Now, if you’re looking for the most evil creature on earth, may I nominate zealous, uneducated people with guns out hunting for rattlesnakes?
This was, as last week with owls, and introduction to the myth and even the physiology of snakes, as well as how humans and primates process being around snakes. In our next visit, we’ll take a closer look at a few of the 38 snake species found in South Carolina. With any luck, by the time we’re done, you will all see that snakes are not vicious beasts out to kill you. Instead, they are incredibly interesting, even beautiful, animals that aren’t deserving of fear and demonization. They are, however, deserving of respect and conservation.