On March 14 we gathered to look for reptiles with Mike Cardwell, an expert on snakes and venomous creatures. Mike is doing research on rattlesnakes at Effie Yeaw Nature Center and in El Dorado County. It was an overcast day so we didn't know what we would find, especially since we've seen very few reptiles at Sutter's Landing. This was FORB's first reptile walk.
This nifty camera can go down holes, very useful for finding snakes. Photo courtesy Kathy Kayner
We started in the parking lot where Mike gave a wonderful talk about snakes and his research. We learned what to do if you're bitten by a snake (go to the hospital) and he passed around a rattlesnake tail, camera that sees into burrows, and showed the equipment used to track snakes: a transmitter that is inserted into the snake and the tracker that beeps. Here is Mike's blog about his research Effie Yeaw Nature Center Rattlesnake Study. Finally, here is Dale's blog post about Mike's work in the American River Parkway.
After the introduction we headed toward the river. We took the middle trail and looked around logs and other debris for reptiles. It seemed we were going to come up empty when the sun began to come out and Mike spotted a fence lizard on a log. The lizard obliged by remaining in place for many minutes while people gathered around and took photos.
Then we got a summons from people up the trail: a rattlesnake!! A young rattler was curled in the grass under a log, minding its own business until all the eager naturalists came along. Mike had the right equipment, a blunt hook, and calmly picked up the snake for display. The young snake didn't seem at all concerned; it relaxed on the hook and posed for photos while Mike gave a snake lecture and answered all our questions (no, young snakes don't have more potent venom, they have smaller venom sacs so their bites are usually less dangerous). After the talk Mike released the snake with the reminder that it has a whole family, including parents there in the grass.
We walked back along the beach, enjoying the birds along the way. Another magical FORB event.
After the introduction we headed toward the river. We took the middle trail and looked around logs and other debris for reptiles. It seemed we were going to come up empty when the sun began to come out and Mike spotted a fence lizard on a log. The lizard obliged by remaining in place for many minutes while people gathered around and took photos.
Then we got a summons from people up the trail: a rattlesnake!! A young rattler was curled in the grass under a log, minding its own business until all the eager naturalists came along. Mike had the right equipment, a blunt hook, and calmly picked up the snake for display. The young snake didn't seem at all concerned; it relaxed on the hook and posed for photos while Mike gave a snake lecture and answered all our questions (no, young snakes don't have more potent venom, they have smaller venom sacs so their bites are usually less dangerous). After the talk Mike released the snake with the reminder that it has a whole family, including parents there in the grass.
We walked back along the beach, enjoying the birds along the way. Another magical FORB event.
Fence lizard basking on a log. Photo courtesy Kathy Kayner
Young rattlesnake found curled in the grass. Photo courtesy Kathy Kayner
Closeup of the young snake. Photo courtesy Tom Paniagua / loneforestwolfphotography.com
Mike Cardwell gave a fascinating talk about rattlesnakes and answered lots of questions, while the young snake just laid quietly on the hook and relaxed. Photo courtesy Robert Sewell.
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