Cedars of Lebanon/Vesta State Natural Area (08 March 2009)

Nathan Haislip and I met up with my former advisor, Brian Miller, and his two sons, Joshua and Jacob, for some early spring herping at Vesta State Natural Area and Cedars of Lebanon State Forest. Temperatures were in the low 70s with mostly cloudy skies.  No large snakes were active but we had a successful day nonetheless.

Herps on the day:

     Aspidoscelis s. sexlineata (Six-lined Racerunner) 6     
     Sceloporus undulatus (Eastern Fence Lizard) 31
     Scincella lateralis (Little Ground Skink) 4
     Carphophis amoenus (Eastern Wormsnake) 1
     Coluber constrictor constrictor (Northern Black Racer) 1 DOR
     Diadophis punctatus edwardsi (Northern Ringneck Snake) 4
     Thamnophis sirtalis (Eastern Garternsake) 1 DOR
     Virginia valeriae (Smooth Earthsnake) 4
     Acris crepitans (Northern Cricket Frog) 2
     Bufo a. americanus (Eastern American Toad) 1
     Pseudacris feriarum (Upland Chorus Frog) several calling males
     Eurycea lucifuga (Cave Salamander) 6
     Notophthalmus v. viridescens (Eastern Newt) 40+
     Ambystoma maculatum (Spotted Salamander) 30+ egg masses
     Ambystoma opacum (Marbled Salamander) TMTC larvae
     Plethodon dorsalis (Northern Zigzag Salamander) 98


Sceloporus undulatus (Eastern Fence Lizard)


Diadophis punctatus edwardsi (Northern Ringneck Snake)


Virginia valeriae (Smooth Earthsnake)


Eurycea lucifuga (Cave Salamander)

All images property of Matthew L Niemiller unless noted otherwise.

To use any images on this site please contact me at:  mniemill@utk.edu

© 2009