Herping Eglin at Night

Kelly took Kirk and I out to see his research area at Eglin. We went a little before sunset to get some birding in, and then stayed to see what we could find in the marshes after dark. The birding was glorious in the day, but the night was magical. Chuck-wills-widows and Barred Owls were calling, in addition to all the frogs.

Two-toed Amphiuma (Amphiuma means)

We waded through an emergent marsh under a powerline corridor. The water wasn't too deep in most places. We found some Grass Pickerel and some frogs. We were looking for Sirens, but we never found any. Kelly did find us a Two-toed Amphiuma, though. I had never seen one, so I was excited. The photos of him are not ideal, but we could see him helplessly flailing his legs.

Two-toed Amphiuma (Amphiuma means)

These eel like salamanders can get pretty large. There are reports of almost four feet long individuals. This one was much smaller. An old name is 'conger eel'.

Eastern Mudsnake (Farancia abacura abacura)

After a while of looking, we had about decided to wrap it up. Kelly went back to look at something, and came back with this gorgeous Mudsnake. Calling it a mud snake might be an appropriate description of where it resides, but does nothing to describe its appearance.

Eastern Mudsnake (Farancia abacura abacura)

This snake also had a very unique feel to its scales. Even after it dried, it feel as smooth as snot. Maybe that is where the idea that snakes are slimy came from. We held it for a while, and then watched it swim off in the marsh.

Eastern Mudsnake (Farancia abacura abacura)

Eastern Mudsnake (Farancia abacura abacura)

Northern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)

Of course, we kept our eyes open for Cottonmouths (aka Water Moccasins). We each found one. This was the smallest one and the one that Kirk found along the fence. It had the nice yellow tail of a juvenile. Kelly's Cottonmouth was the biggest, and we respectfully admired them safely.