A worm snake hatchling, Carphophis amoenus. Apparently he hasn't learned yet that he is supposed to be "highly secretive." He was wiggling his way across the trail yesterday afternoon. I scooped him up to get a closer look and then put him back down so he could go about the business of life - which for a worm snake happens to be eating earthworms and other creepy crawlies.
This baby was about 4 inches long. Adult worm snakes range in size from about 7.5 to a whopping 12.5 inches. Most of the ones I have seen have been about 8 to 9 inches.
A baby eastern fence lizard, Sceloporus undulatus. Despite being less than 1.75 inches long, this lizard was king of his cement bumper.
We've been seeing an increase in fence lizard populations this past year. When Hurricane Isabel blew through in 2003 she knocked down thousands of trees, creating the open areas with plenty of sunlight that fence lizards find so appealing. It has been interesting to observe the shift in plant and animal species following such a major weather event -- but I do miss the mature beech forest that Isabel flattened, exactly two years ago today.
5 comments:
Sweet snake...nice pen too. Boy fence lizards are masters of camo. On an oak tree they disappear.
Are venomous snakes venomous as hatchlings or does this develop later?
SGJ, venomous snakes are venomous from birth (all of our venomous snakes give live birth). There have been some studies that suggest the venom of juvenile snakes of certain species, such as rattlesnakes, may actually be more potent than that of adult snakes.
Thanks. That makes sense - I guess when they are tiny they would be a tasty snack for all sorts of things if they weren't mightily venomous.
cool snake Swamp, I love snakes!
Our lizzard population has exploded here. The whole front of the house is crawling with babies. Most not even a inch long, and there are hundreds! It would be nice to get a picture, but they run.. do baby lizzards play? Because I never see one sitting still. Even if I'm sitting very still watching.
I haven't been out back to inspect the privacy fence, if the front has so many... there is no telling what it looks like back there.
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