Turtle Journal

Large Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) in SouthCoast Bog

Turtle Journal explored the SouthCoast wetlands surrounding the abandoned Goldwitz cranberry bog in Marion on Thursday afternoon.  As we crossed a hard-packed, dirt road, we startled a large garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) — the Massachusetts state reptile – basking atop the warm roadway.

Large Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)

And, yes; the snake startled us, too.  Its color scheme blended perfectly with the compact sand, and as it lay motionless, the snake was nearly impossible to detect … until it began to slither toward the swamp.  We compared its length to our boot size to obtain an eyeball approximation of 2.5 feet.

Rufus the Turtle Dog Tracks Garter Snake

Rufus proved particularly amused by the snake.  Reading her mind, I saw a cartoon bubble exclaiming, “Wow!  A stick that actually throws itself.”  She thought she had found the perfect doggie toy.

Garter Snake Slithers into Abandoned Cranberry Bog

Sliding down the bank, the garter snake slipped into the flooded wetlands.  It swam into the middle of the swamp and found a tangle of reeds and grass stocks on which it could continue basking in the 55 degree sunshine.  With sighting of the garter snake, Turtle Journal has observed most of our Spring signature species and we feel comfortable proclaiming that the Spring season is in full swing … at least until the next nasty snow storm strikes the Great White North.

Yellow Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)

Nighttime March rain affords the key impetus for yellow spotted salamanaders (Ambystoma maculatum) to venture from woodlands to wetlands for their annual mating aggregation known as a congress.

Scooping Salamanders from Dark, Busy SouthCoast Roads

Thursday evening brought torrential downpours with mild 50 degree temperature.  The Turtle Journal team piled into the all-wheel-drive vehicle and patrolled flooded SouthCoast streets, spending the night scooping up slithering salamanders from dark, wet and busy roadways.

Weighing Yellow Spotted Salamander

Before releasing a sampling of these salamanders, we gathered sciientific data and examined them thoroughly.  Specimens ranged from as light as 16 grams to as heavy as 28 grams. 

Measuring Yellow Spotted Salamanders

The smallest salamander measured a little more than 15 centimeters from snout to tip of tail.  The largest specimen stretched nearly 18 centimeters.

IF YOU HAVE AN iPAD & CAN’T SEE VIDEO, CLICK HERE.

Examining Yellow Spotted Salamander

We examine each salamander in detail.

Yellow Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)

No matter weight or size, each salamander seems packed with energy and filled with determined resolution to reach congress.  My goodness, with a smile like the one pictured immediately above, Turtle Journal might even consider voting him into office.

Closeup of Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)

Nothing in Nature says springtime in the Great White North more than a chorus of spring peepers.  Even with ice still clinging to the edges of pond, creeks and bogs, the gradual warmth of late March spurs these tiny critters to combine their voices into a symphony of hope … punctuated by the gutteral tones of a section of throaty wood frogs.

Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)

Last evening, March 28th, gentle rains blew into the SouthCoast of Massacusetts with a warming breeze.  The Turtle Journal team waited until dark, then trekked over to an abandoned bog to savor the concert.

IF YOU HAVE AN iPAD & CAN’T SEE VIDEO; CLICK HERE.

Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)

Alas, spring has arrived and irrepressible Nature has gained ascendency.

Yellow Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) Heading to Congress

A bitter, seemingly interminable winter has lingered in the  Great White North.  Most ponds, creeks and bog channels remain largely iced.  Yet, after midnight, a spring rain descended on Massachusetts’ SouthCoast with gradually warming temperatures that reached into the low to mid 40s.  So, in the wee hour darkness, Sue Wieber Nourse of the Turtle Journal team ventured out to a nearby wetlands to see if these conditions would spark a salamander congress.

Yellow Spotted Salamander on First Day of Spring (March 20)

Crossing a dirt roadway separating swampy woodlands from bog channels where we have documented an annual congress in previous years, a handsome yellow spotted salamander slithered through the soaking darkness.  Sue saw this moving “twig” in the glare of her headlights and managed to snag him before he disappeared into the bog.

Ventral Side of Yellow Spotted Salamander

These are lovely creatures who, for us, create the surest mark of emerging Spring.  We returned to the bog later in the morning, but did not find any signs of spermataphores or egg masses.  Also, we found no wood frogs. which we normally observe in these same bog channels.  Still too early and too cold, I fear.

First Crocus at Turtle Journal Central Blooms on First Day of Spring

There was another Spring surprise for us this morning.  At Turtle Journal Central, our first crocus of the year bloomed on this first day of Spring.