A Canebrake Rattlesnake in Blue, Texas

A Canebrake Rattlesnake in Blue, Texas
— This article by Jerry Cates and Tim C., first published in October 2008, was last revised on 24 April 2016. © Bugsinthenews Vol. 09:10(01). —————————————– The photo at right was taken  by Tim C. Tim wrote: “I’m hoping you can ID this snake. I took the photo in Blue, near Elgin, from my driver’s seat. The ...

Duvernoy’s Gland Secretions in Colubrid Snakes

—This article by Jerry Cates, first published on 20 March 2010, was last revised on 24 April 2016. © Bugsinthenews Vol. 11:03(18). —————————————– The Colubridae family of snakes includes 320 genera and about 700 species. Until the 1920’s (some authorities say the 1950’s) these snakes were considered utterly non-venomous. Not harmless, just non-venomous, as the word ...

A Prairie Ring-necked Snake in Sweetwater, Texas

A Prairie Ring-necked Snake in Sweetwater, Texas
— This article by Jerry Cates and Curtis R., first published in July 2008, was last revised on 24 April 2016. © Bugsinthenews Vol. 09:07(10). —————————————– This small snake was captured and photographed by Curtis R. in Sweetwater Texas on July 28, 2008. He wrote: “Hi, Jerry—This morning my dogs were barking like crazy. My wife ...

A Western Ribbon Snake in Santa Fe, Texas

A Western Ribbon Snake in Santa Fe, Texas
—This article by Jerry Cates and Tammy D., first published in December 2009, was last revised on 6 July 2012. © Bugsinthenews Vol. 10:12(01). —————————————– Tammy wrote: Hello Jerry–I found this snake under some leaves in my yard in Santa Fe, Texas. Can you tell me what kind it is. Thank you — Tammy My thanks ...

A Broad-Banded Copperhead in Round Rock, Texas

A Broad-Banded Copperhead in Round Rock, Texas
— This article by Jerry Cates and Steve B., first published in July 2009, was last revised on 23 October 2013. © Bugsinthenews Vol. 10:07(01). —————————————– Steve wrote: “We’re having a pool put in the back yard of our home in Round Rock. My daughter and I were picking up branches after taking a tree down, ...

Sweetwater Texas, 2010 Rattlesnake Roundup — Part III

Sweetwater Texas, 2010 Rattlesnake Roundup --- Part III
— This article by Jerry Cates, first published on 15 March 2010, was last revised on 18 April 2016. © Bugsinthenews Vol. 11:03(17). —————————————– The hunting party proceeded to the next promising rattlesnake den down the canyon. As we traveled, the raw beauty of the place became more and more evident. Some will question such ...

Sweetwater Texas, 2010 Rattlesnake Roundup — Part II

Sweetwater Texas, 2010 Rattlesnake Roundup --- Part II
— This article by Jerry Cates, first published on 15 March 2010, was last revised on 18 April 2016. © Bugsinthenews Vol. 11:03(16). —————————————– March 12, 2010: At about 10:15 A.M., the Nolan County Coliseum loudspeaker announced that the rattlesnake roundup guided hunt was about to begin. All the registered hunters gathered at the back of ...

Opossums in Texas

Opossums in Texas
—This article by Jerry Cates, first published on 14 March 2010, was last revised on 25 December 2016. © Bugsinthenews Vol. 11:03(15). —————————————– At a relatively large retirement and nursing facility in Temple, Texas, the number of Virginia Opossums observed during 2010 increased considerably over similar observations in previous years. Possibly a lack of food, in ...

Sweetwater Texas, 2010 Rattlesnake Roundup–PART I

Sweetwater Texas, 2010 Rattlesnake Roundup--PART I
— This article by Jerry Cates, first published on 11 March 2010, was last revised on 18 April 2016. © Bugsinthenews Vol. 11:03(14). —————————————– March 11, 2010: The 52nd Annual Sweetwater, Texas, Rattlesnake Roundup is off and running, and BugsInTheNews is there. I arrived in Sweetwater last night, and spent the day touring the grounds at ...

North American Snake Marking & Coloration Guide

North American Snake Marking & Coloration Guide
— This article by Jerry Cates, first published on 7 March 2010, was last revised on 23 October 2013. © Bugsinthenews Vol. 11:03(13). —————————————– Note: Most of the photos shown on this page were provided by viewers who, in return for identifying the specimen photographed, granted exclusive use of their images. In turn, permission is hereby granted for all lawful, ...