Corn Snake

Thirsty Amelanistic/Albino Corn Snake, Elaphe guttata

The Corn Snake, a species of rat snake, is a diurnal, medium-sized snake that can vary in coloration, but usually contains dark-edged blotches down the back. The origin of the name 'corn snake' is debated. It could be due to the pattern similarities with maize, or it may be the common find of these snakes among fields of corn where the rats and mice are plentiful. Quite popular in the pet industry, these snakes are native throughout the eastern United States. Unfortunately, in the wild, these snakes are often confused with the copperhead and killed, much like its cousin the Texas rat snake is often confused for a cottonmouth and killed. As with any snake, it is best to leave them alone and let them hunt in peace. All snakes, venomous and non-venomous, have a role to play such as eating the rodents that spread the life threatening hantavirus.

In keeping with the impromptu video theme this week, I've included a video of Casper, the amelanistic (albino) corn snake taking a drink of water.

Giant African Millipede

Thirsty Giant African Millipede, Archispirostreptus sp.

The Giant African Millipede, mentioned previously, is one of the largest millipedes in the world. It is a harmless detritivore, not to be confused with the stinging centipede. When kept in captivity, the cage sides of many arthropod such as the millipede and tarantula are misted. This gives another, often preferred, water source to drink from in addition to a shallow water dish.

If you would like to enlarge the video for a better look, try this uploaded version!

Blue Jay

Flock of singing Blue Jays, Cyanocitta cristata

The Blue Jay is a common sight and sound along the eastern half of the United States and parts of southern Canada year round. This bird is readily associated with its harsh, loud jeer call, but also contains a less heard whisper song that can last for minutes. Blue jays are birds that often form loose flocks, especially as the colder weather arrives, much like the American Robin. Most do not migrate, but there are records of migrating blue jays usually near shorelines which is where flocking is most likely to occur. While resident blue jays also flock, it is much more loose and less predicable.

Another cause for flocking occurs through a behavior known as mobbing. It is not exclusive to blue jays, but can be seen in other songbirds including the American robin, chickadees, crows, the tufted titmouse, and cardinals. A loud congregation of these species is often an indication that a raptor is being mobbed by a flock of songbirds. The victim is often a residential raptor such as the suburban adapted Eastern Screech-Owl. Although mobbing is a risky behavior, there are hypothesis that this could be related to nest-defense, a way of warning young of potential dangers, or possibly even a source of fun for certain species.

This video contains what I think is the described song of the blue jay. If I had not seen them, I wouldn't have guess it was actually blue jays. This is not a mobbing congregation, but likely the local residents flocking together as the weather changes.

Wheel Bug

Mating Wheel Bugs, Arilus cristatus

The Wheel Bug, one of the largest true bugs and the largest member of the assassin bugs, is both intriguing and beneficial. While mentioned earlier, it is the fall season that this reclusive bug is most likely to be spotted. The wheel bug has one generation a year and dies during the winter months; however, those found in the warmer southern climate may survive the winter. The arrival of autumn is when the goal of the female is to mate and lay eggs. After laying between 40-200 tiny brown eggs in a small shrub or tree twig, the female dies. The eggs will overwinter then hatch the following spring thus starting a new cycle and generation of wheel bugs.

I found these two wheel bugs earlier today, but had nothing but my phone on me. The picture is not great, but it's rare enough for me to see one wheel bug let alone two, and mating!

Picture-winged Fly

Picture-winged Fly, Delphinia picta

Picture-winged fly is the common term used for the diverse Ulidiidae family who all share a characteristic pattern of the wings. The species Delphinia picta can be distinguished by a distinctive front two white triangle pattern on the wings, and the rowing motion of the wings while it walks. Seen between spring and fall throughout most of the eastern United States, Delphinia picta breeds in decaying organic matter and frequently scavenges decayed vegetation, and sometimes even dead caterpillars.

A thank you to Chris Mallory who helped me identify this!

Spider Webs

Spider web of unknown creator.

Spider webs are as various in architecture and silk variety as the species of spiders that build them. Some spiders, such as those in the orb weaver family, spin classic web shapes. Other spiders like the Zebra Tarantula constructs a "web" covering for its den as a trip wire and uses its silk for adhesion purposes. A web is not always spun for the purpose of capturing prey as most tarantulas also line their burrow walls with a web-like construction. Web-building is an innate program with no visual cues and little plasticity that can be divided into stages. Much of this innate behavior relies on the central nervous system where variation can cause drastic changes in the web construction process. While weaving is a complex behavioral pattern, it is governed by a simple set of rules.

Guest Photo: 'Blonde' Cardinal

A 'blonde' female cardinal by Michele Dudas.

The Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis, is one of the most recognized songbirds in the United States and the state bird in seven different states. It can be found year round in all but the west and northwest portions of the country. While often confused with the House Finch, the male cardinals are larger and more colorful, and both genders have the characteristic prominent crest. The female cardinal is unique in being one of the few female North American songbirds that sing. This species has adapted well to the suburban setting and are common visitors to backyard feeders.

In the above photograph is an extremely unusual "blonde" female cardinal. The reason for the coloration is unknown. As the eyes are not red, and it is a sectioned white, it likely isn't a hypomelanistic, or partial albino cardinal, either. She was apparently a frequent visitor to the feeder, but has not been seen for a few years.

Guest Photo: Shorebirds

Corpus Christi by Adam Braun

Shorebirds belong to the Charadriiformes, a diverse order of birds that generally live near water and feed on invertebrates or small animals. Within this order is the suborder Charadrii which is referenced as shorebirds, or waders, which can be further divided into the families Haematopodidae, Recurvirostridae, Charaadriidae, Scolopacidae, and Jacanidae. 

While the beaks vary in shapes and sizes, most shorebirds have a characteristic small body with long, thin legs and three unwebbed toes pointed forward. These toes are fringed like scales to increase surface area which is effective in allowing wading without falling. The strong niche overlap and limited resources for many of these birds has led to significant interspecific competition. The diversity of beaks, leg length, and foraging behavior are all results of divergent evolution due to the partitioning of resources. In general, shorebirds can be found in open areas of a wide range of habitats including beaches, wetlands, grasslands, tundra, and mountains beyond the treeline.

Guest Photo: Sharks

Off the waters of Belize by Brittany Young.

One of the most notable aspects of a shark are the way they move. The thunniform mode of locomotion is characterized by a rigid head and body with rapid oscillation of the peduncle. This adaption maximizes swimming efficiency and can be found in roving predators. A fusiform body shape, narrow necking of the tail base, ridged lunate tail, and streamline form optimize this swimming locomotion in sharks, but especially in the Lamnidae family.

From the lecture Energy costs of locomotion and fish swimming by Guy Carton.

This week I'm experimenting with having a guest photo for all three days. If it goes well, I hope to do it more frequently. There are many different topics I'd love to touch base on, but have no photography to go with it such as sharks and general aquatic ecophysiology. 

Variegated Fritillary and Wheel Bug

Variegated Fritillary Caterpillar, Euptoieta claudia and young Wheel Bug,  Arilus cristatus

The Variegated Fritillary Caterpillar can be distinguished from other fritillary caterpillars by the white-striped markings. With the exception of the Pacific Northwest, this species can be found throughout the United States into Mexico, and has been reported in the higher elevations of Argentina; however, they only overwinter in the south. They have multiple broods per year and can be found on common garden flowers such as violets, pansies, and passion vine as both larvae and adults.

One of the largest true bugs and the largest member of the assassin bugs, the Wheel Bug gets its name for the spiny ridge on the thorax. Of the four species of Arilus, only Arilus cristatus is found within the United States. Their relation to stink bugs can be discerned by the pungent scent exuded when disturbed. The wheel bug will prey on a variety of soft-bodied insects including hairy caterpillars. The saliva of this bug contains toxic enzymes that paralyze, kill, and dissolve the insides of the prey. This allows the wheel bug to drain the prey using its piercing beak.

Autumn Sage

Autumn (Greg's) Sage, Salvia greggii

Autumn Sage, also known as Greg's Sage or Cherry Sage, is a perennial, semi-evergreen shrub native to the rocky soils of Texas and Mexico. It may grow close to 1 meter in height and width with flower color averaging red, but also including purple, orange, white, and pink. This species is a long, constant blooming plant with heavy blooming in spring and fall, and scattered blooming in summer. As a native to Texas, it is both drought tolerant and heat resistant. With the addition of attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, Autumn Sage has gain popularity in landscaping.

The Greg's Sage happened to be a great replacement for the roses that we had to remove due to Rose Rosette. If planted in the right zone, it grows great in sun or partial shade with little effort and plenty of beautiful blooms.

Yellow-bellied Marmot

Yellow-bellied Marmot, Marmota flaviventris

The Yellow-bellied Marmot is a hibernating, thickset rodent found within the Sciuridae family alongside Prairie Dogs and Ground Squirrels. They can be found from Colorado westward, and north to the southern portions of Canada. In general, the elevation of their habitat is higher the further south in the range they are found. Much like other communal rodents, the yellow-bellied marmot has an alarm call system which is used when a potential threat is observed. The sound may be a chuck, trill, or whistle and varies depending on the stimulus. The alarm is set off once that particular individual is back at their burrow minimizing the risk involved in sounding the alarm.