MIDWEST

April 2005

Click on any photo to see a larger version

2 of 6

From Southern Illinois it was on to Central Missouri where my newest herping buddy, Wayne Brekhus, introduced me to Midwestern glades --- hillside prairies surrounded by woods, with scattered rocks providing cover for all sorts of herps.

Cutting across an open field I startled something that whipped away through waist-high grass. Followed the movement and caught a glimpse of a pale, slender form as it disappeared beneath a fallen tree. Wayne came over and we rolled the log to find our first snake of the day.

Yellow-Bellied Racer

Coluber constrictor flaviventris

Spreading out, we searched for stones to flip, and I was introduced to the quintessence of midwestern herping: Turn a rock, find a Ringneck. Turn a rock, find a Ringneck. Turn a rock . . .

At first it’s kind of fascinating, the frequency with which they appear under virtually every bit of cover. Then you realize they’re unavoidable, and the surprise is when you don’t find them. Eventually, when dozens become hundreds (the Kansas experience), you become numb, falling into a pattern of lift, look --- sweep away the snakes --- lower the rock, repeat.

Prairie Ringneck Snake

Diadophis punctatus arnyi

Under one rock we found an exception, a different species that had the place all to itself. I laid down on the ground and positioned my camera to take a picture. As I’m looking through the viewfinder, a Ringneck races in from the right, crawls over the Earth Snake, poops right beside him, then exits to the left. As I said, they’re unavoidable.

Rough Earth Snake

Virginia striatula

Took a break from flipping stones to check out a small pond. Nearly stepped on this Ribbon Snake, its belly bulging from a recent meal.

Western Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis proximus

In addition to snakes, other herps can be found hiding beneath the rocks, including lizards like this attractive Racerunner.

Prairie Racerunner Cnemidophorus sexlineatus viridus

This one gave us fits, by far the most difficult snake of the trip. It just wouldn’t stay still for a photo, constantly squirming and trying to bury itself in the soil. After forever it finally paused and allowed me to take its portrait, which I barely managed to squeeze off in the midst of a thunderstorm.

Western Worm Snake

Carphophis vermis

At one point we’re far apart when I hear Wayne calling, “Eitan!!” I go running in his direction (with a bit of flying, too, as I trip on some buried barbed wire) and see him crouching over a rock, holding on to something I can’t see. He’s shouting with excitement, and as I get closer I understand why.

With Ringnecks so plentiful, you quickly form a search image of tiny black snakes curled beneath the rocks. So imagine the shock when Wayne lifts this rock . . . and the tiny black snake turns out to be a six-foot Coachwhip!

Eastern Coachwhip (black phase) Masticophis flagellum

It was a rare find on this glade, and certainly a highlight of Wayne’s herping career to date. He was thrilled, and I was delighted to be there as a witness. Besides, better he should get musked than me.

Finished the day by some bluffs near a river, hoping to see Copperheads or Rat Snakes, but the only resident at home was a Racer lounging on the porch. Had a nice dinner, said my good-byes, then headed west for the Great Plains of Kansas.

MIDWEST

April 2005

Terms of Use

2 of 6

Herp Trips