What
Texas Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature was in the 80s F and air was humid with occasional precipitation. Sky was overcast.
Lizard was found on a tall tree on the hillside in a thickly wooded area. It was a mottled gray with white side stripes and approximately 15 cm long. It observed us from a height over 2 m from the ground before scurrying higher up the tree.
Photo courtesy of Ellen Airhart.
What
Texas Coralsnake (Micrurus tener)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature was in the 80s F and air was humid with occasional precipitation. Sky was overcast.
The snake was seen slithering just under a layer of tall, flattened grass in a small open area.
Snake was an estimated 60-70 cm long and had bright alternating bands of yellow, red, and black. The red bands were particularly thick and spotted with black.
Upon seeing us, the snake moved quietly and quickly toward a more wooded area before disappearing into the brush.
What
Mediterranean House Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature was 89 F and the air was humid. Three geckos were seen crawling across the walls. Their pale, spotted skin matched the wall paint almost exactly.
Geckos were 5-6 cm in length.
What
Cliff Chirping Frog (Eleutherodactylus marnockii)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature was 89 F and the air was humid.
Other toads in the area included Bufo nebulifer and Gastrophryne olivacea. No actual Eluetherodactylus marnokii were sighted.
What
Western Narrow-mouthed Toad (Gastrophryne olivacea)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature was 89 F and the air was humid.
Small 1.5 cm toads could be found in the water occasionally. They were mud-brown with small eyes.
What
Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius nebulifer)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature was 89 F and the air was humid.
Multiple toads of various size were seen wandering the path around the pond. Two pairs of toads were seen mating at different spots in the pond.
Calls could be heard intermittently.
Photos / Sounds
What
Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta ssp. elegans)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature was about 75 F.
No clouds were visible.
Large female turtle was discovered in the road near the bridge on West Gate Blvd. The creek this bridge crosses was dry although some areas still had pools of water.
The turtle was 19-20 cm in length and had distinguishable red "ear" markings when it moved its head. The shell showed signs of scuff marks.
What
Northern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature was in the 80s F. Sky was overcast and air was humid.
Snake was found on bank of Barton Creek. Water was approximately 4' deep at this spot and was full of large fish.
The snake was dark black/brown with yellow eye stripes and a large, arrow-shaped head. Its body was hidden but its estimated length could range between 75 to 100 cm.
The snake's tail vibrated as we approached, producing a rustling sound in the grass, warning us of its presence.
What
Southwestern Blackhead Snake (Tantilla hobartsmithi)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature was estimated to be around 65 F.
Snake was found under rock in a shady creek full of stones and surrounded by cedar trees.
Snake was approximately 12 cm long. It had brown scales, a dark head, and a salmon pink belly.
Photo courtesy of Ian Wright.
What
Great Plains Ground Snake (Sonora episcopa)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature was in the upper 60s F.
Found around dusk under a rock. Surrounding area was flat and full of cacti.
The snake was approximately 15 cm long and had a broad, rust-red dorsal stripe.
Photo courtesy of Ian Wright.
What
Central Texas Whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus ssp. girardi)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature was estimated to be in the 70s F.
The snake was found on the side of a hilly road near a mesquite tree. It was approximately 50 meters up the road from the foot of the cliff.
The snake was around 60 to 75 cm long and had particularly large eyes. The scales were reddish brown with distinct white longitudinal stripes.
Photo courtesy of Ian Wright.
What
Texas Cooter (Pseudemys texana)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature was in upper the 70s F.
Cloud cover was about 20%.
Turtle emerged from the water and approached us, as if expecting to be fed. There were several children nearby who had picked up the turtle regularly.
Turtle was approximately a 25 cm long female with dark black head and limbs and distinct yellow stripes.
Photos / Sounds
What
American Water Frogs (Genus Lithobates)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperatue was in the 60s F.
Sky was overcast and misty.
Found numerous tadpoles in creek ponds next to cliff overhang. At least 20 individuals of approximately 5 cm in length were seen in the pond, feeding on the rocks. Countless other tadpoles (est. 1-2 cm) were seen as well.
Tadpoles were gray/brown with gray and black mottling as well as a white belly.
What
Texas Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature was an estimated 70 F
Low cloud cover:30%
Lizard was found climbing in plastic bin adjacent to home. It was an estimated 9 cm long. It was gray with black markings and white side stripes.
Photos / Sounds
What
Flat-headed Snake (Tantilla gracilis)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature was an estimated 70 F
Low cloud cover:30%
One (est. 15 cm) male was found under rock with a with a Scincella lateralis. It was dark tan in color with a white belly.
A second male (est. 13 cm) was found under an adjacent rock. It was redder in color especially on its belly which was almost pink.
The ground was moist and not far from a compost pile and garden.
What
Little Brown Skink (Scincella lateralis)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature was an estimated 70 F
Low cloud cover:30%
Skink was found under rock with a Tantilla gracilis. The ground was moist and not far from a compost pile and garden.
Skink was golden colored with a black and yellow stripe along its sides. Its back legs were longer than its front ones.It was about 6 cm in length.
What
Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta ssp. elegans)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature was in the 80s F
Cloud cover was approximately 50%.
3 small,(5 cm) turtles were found in a lily pond. 2 swam deep to the bottom of the pond while one remained on a stick floating on the surface. Turtles had yellow/green shells with bright yellow stripes and a red "ear."
What
Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature was in the 80s F
Cloud cover was an estimated 50%
Anole was approximately 10 cm in length and bright green with blue around the eyes. It remained still among a tall green grass that matched its color.
What
Texas Cooter (Pseudemys texana)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature was in the 80s F
Sky was bright with 40% cloud cover.
2 turtles were seen on bridge foundation but entered the water upon approach. 2 additional turtles were seen in the water. 9 turtles ranging in size from 15 to 20 cm on a log. Shells were dark and heads had bright yellow striping.
What
Texas Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature was an estimated 77 F
Cloud cover was 90%.
2 individuals were found in large, dense patches of aloe approximately 10 m from each other. The patches of aloe vera were an estimated 6 sq. m in area. Lizards were grey with a white stripe along their sides. Tails were particularly dark.
What
Texas Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora lineata)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature 64 F
Skies were overcast and ground was damp.
Estimated 45 cm snake found under large rock. It moved quickly to escape after being uncovered. Had distinct stripes on top and along sides as well as a brown head. Noticeable large scales on nose.
What
Blanchard's Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
No cloud cover and bright moon.
Temperature was an estimated 65 F
Right at dusk, numerous A. blanchardi could be seen along the water's edge, hopping into the water as I approached.
Frog was about 2.5 cm in length and was greenish/grayish in color with dark splotches (especially on the legs and white belly). It had a rust brown splotch on its back and forehead. Calls could be heard by other individuals with a CI of 2.
Photo courtesy of Ian Wright.
What
Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius nebulifer)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Toad was found under manhole cover at the foot of a street light. The manhole was about 6" deep and filled with dirt and leaves. The toad remained still and then crawled under a large crack in the concrete wall of the hole.
What
Mediterranean House Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Gecko seen on window screen. It observed us and then escaped into a crack in the wall. It was approximately 2.5-3" in length. It's tail was a different color from the rest of the body, suggesting it had been lost before at some point.
Photos / Sounds
What
Speckled Kingsnake (Lampropeltis holbrooki)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Snake was spotted in grassy area near the water. It was an estimated 2' in length and quickly fled (it can be seen in the edges of the photographs). It was black with a white belly and white specks. Frog calls could be heard in the surrounding area and the snake may have been out hunting.
Photos / Sounds
What
American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature was an estimated 75 F
Cloud cover was 85%
Alligator approached walkway and followed us closely, as if expecting to be fed. It was an estimated 8' long and had patches of algae growing on it.
Photos / Sounds
What
Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Seen inside greenhouse on dagger plant.
Temperature: estimated 78 F
Anole was olive brown with green tinted legs that turned brown with time. It's tail looked as if it had grown back at some point. The anole remained still while it was observed.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Temperature in the high 70s F
Cloud cover less than 40%
Snake was seen a few meters from a large debris pile where 3 other atrox were found. Debris contained large sheets of metal that made for good cover.
The (est. 1.5-2') snake was curled up in 3" grass in the open. It did not hiss or rattle but remained still, flicking its tongue occasionally. A leaf cutter ant could be seen crawling over it.
Close up shot courtesy of Ian Wright.
Photos / Sounds
What
Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta ssp. elegans)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Time: 10:45 AM
Temperature: approximately 70 F
60 % cloud cover and slight breeze
Water was clear and green.
Some fish and ducks present.
Female with 3 males following her (trying to get her attention) spotted near the bridge. On the dam, numerous turtles could be seen sunning themselves.
Construction site nearby.
Photos / Sounds
What
Cliff Chirping Frog (Eleutherodactylus marnockii)Observer
nspctrspacetimeDescription
Weather was cool and damp with an overcast sky.
The frog was about 1.5 cm long with yellow and brown mottling and a pink/red tympanum.
Found inside manhole for water valve. Hole was 6" deep and contained damp soil, twigs, and leaves. Snails, slugs, and a small roach were also present.