A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Preservationist and herpetofauna enthusiast. Just wrapped up my MS in Integrative Biology.
Georgia, USA
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Thanks everyone :) I was very fortunate to get to see one of the beauties in the wild. If not for the brilliant red (which I think is characteristic of most juveniles of this species) it probably would have never been spotted at night. Karen, that is very unfortunate that you had to see one that was no longer living, and even more so that your guide was so misled. It's a sad fate for snakes... the ones which aren't dangerous at all tend to mimic other venomous species in order to ward off predators. Too bad that backfires when it comes to humans... I'm sure we are the only species which go out of our way to mess with and take out those animals which have some sort of defensive mechanism that in most cases wouldn't be wasted on humans unless put in a situation where they are left with no choice.
What a beauty!
Wow, that is just incredible! Doesn't even look real! Amazing find!
Jakubko, this individual was probably around 10-12 cm. I did not realize I had no information on this species until I saw your comment! Thanks!
I know... I'd love to know just how old this one was!
Thanks Smith Zoo!!
Nice!
AfriBats, it doesn't seem that I have a lateral view photo... they were all taken at about this same angle so as not to disturb it too much. Thanks for the suggestion though. I've changed the name back to just the genera. And Karen, I'm on that right now!
AWESOME!! By far the coolest animal that still roams the southeast US. I'd absolutely love to stumble upon one of these beauties. I haven't seen one in the wild since I was really young... there are only a few patches in western GA where they supposedly still inhabit. Guess I should make a trip to 'Bama :)
Aww, young softshells are so much fun! My brother had a keen eye for ss hatchlings when we were younger and I can't remember a time when we didn't have at least one digging into the aquarium sand and just sticking their little heads out. They are not always the nicest, but I kind of like their spunky attitudes. I can't say I blame them if they are irritable. It seems almost wrong to be a turtle and not have that nice, keratinized shell for protection.
