Weekly Photography Challenge Thread (see first post rules and then the poll at top before entering)

lol dude loves car rides.. lol

 

You didnt quote my entry last week

 

Thats cool

 

Thanks!

 

It wasn’t on purpose

 

We need different topics, I just don’t have many reptiles around me. That is okay though, I enjoy seeing what others post. Good topic

 

I did find a salamander the other day tilling garden but it was over a week ago. Still a little early for snakes and turtles. But no biggie

 

It's all good. I probably wouldn't have won any way.

 

Probably not.



just kidding

 

Gee thanks

 

Keep trying, I’m sorry I missed yours

 

Sounds good

 

Reptiles

No, your mother in law don’t count

 

Reptiles, preferably unharmed

 

Did you let him finish?

 

I didnt let it hump my leg...

 

Your loss.....

 

Just a reminder to everyone that herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) are protected species in some states, in that the take of a herpetofauna species (killing an individual) falls under fish and game laws. If the species is not a recognized game species, it is illegal to kill or harass an individual. If the species is a game species, then you are permitted to take that individual so long as you comply with the established game and fish laws (ie. being properly licensed, using an approved method of take, etc.). Most do have a clause that allow for take of venomous non-game species and game species out of season in self defense, but you better be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you had no other choice. All in all, make sure to check you state's regulations before taking a herp.

This is similar to the regulations around bird species - hunting is permitted for game species; however, it is illegal to kill a bird that is not a game species. And further, depending on the migratory status of the bird, it can be a federal offense.

Herp identification can be really tricky, and make sure to know what you are killing - @Tacman19 looks like the one pictured was a northern cottonmouth, but those can and are often misidentified and are actually water snakes (non-venomous). Anyone who illegally takes an individual can face serious fines and jail time for affecting threatened and endangered species. Besides that, herps are rapidly declining as we continue to degrade their habitat. While eliminating a threat is necessary in certain instances, it is better to avoid the conflict if it is possible. Herps play a vital role their ecosystems, and those ecosystems are incredibly valuable to us and to broader inter-ecosystem functioning.

Also, here's a non-entry from this past summer. Common map turtle from up in the Adirondacks. While the turtles are starting to come out up here, it was too cold this week to grab a photo! Great topic though @codyjphoto