"Spring
yielded good results. Much of this we attribute to conditions that
were optimum for locating snakes under artificial cover. Through
much of April and May we had mild sunny days and cool nights. This
coupled with generous rainfall that provided good surface moisture
led to a great deal of surface activity. Obviously gravid females
were found during this period. By June these conditions rapidly
gave way to much warmer temperatures and a marked reduction of precipitation.
July, August and September proved to be both drier and hotter than
the norm with the end result being an over all reduction in kingsnake
sightings than in the typical summer. With the harsh conditions
it appeared to us that the snakes were probably spending the bulk
of their time in subsurface refugia. One hatchling kingsnake was
discovered in September. The summer drought had a negative impact
on our ability to locate kingsnakes in the early Fall during the
latter part of September and October. This is usually the second
activity spike that occurs in the annual cycle, but despite more
tolerable temperatures the parched soil kept us from seeing kingsnakes
in the numbers that are usually expected during this time frame.
November brought colder than normal temperatures and the end of
surface activity for the year. We noted a reduction in kingsnake
sightings at some places that formerly yielded good results. We
feel this may be the result of natural succession and that perhaps
excessive canopy cover may be detering kingsnakes from utilizing
these sites to the same extent. The largest specimen observed in
2005 was a male that field measured 57"
Phil Peak
"2005
was interesting. We had dry times and hot times that seemed to drive
kings into hiding during August and other summer months. We also
had an odd spring as we found kings a-plenty, but our experience
at some proven sites threw us a curve ball and we are beginning
to suspect that OPEN areas are very much needed as our proven sites
are filling in with vegetation."
Will Bird
In
2005 - 855 live snakes were seen in the field in Kentucky,
of which 72 were Lampropeltis.g.nigra. |
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Graphic
by Will Bird |
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