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A thorny devil from the Great Sandy Desert about 360 km north-west of Alice Springs, Northern Territory Australia. Over seventy species of reptiles occur in this area.
The thorny devil or thorny dragon (Moloch horridus ) is an Australian lizard, also known as the mountain devil, the thorny lizard, or the moloch. It grows up to 20 cm (7.9 in) in length, and it can live for 15 to 20 years. Most of these lizards are coloured in camouflaging shades of desert browns and tans. Their colours change from pale colours during warm weather and to darker colours during cold weather. The thorny devil is covered entirely with conical spines that are mostly uncalcified.
The thorny devil also features a spiny "false head" on the back of its neck, and the lizard presents this to potential predators by dipping its real head. The "false head" is made of soft tissue and if lost does not regrow.
The females are larger than the males. The thorny devil's scales are ridged, enabling the animal to collect water from any part of its body. That water is then conveyed to its mouth. So when they need to drink water, they just touch water usually by their limbs, and on the basis of the capillary principle water is transmitted to the mouth through their skin. For more information see: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorny_dragon
Thorny devils are not venomous or aggressive. They feed on ants. See www.alicespringsdesertpark.com.au/kids/nature/reptiles/de...
A photo of the whole animal is in the first comment.
A Thorny Devil (Moloch horridus) moves across a desert sand-plain as the sun rises on what will be an oppressively hot day on the Barkly Tableland in the outback of Australia.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, Laowa 15/4 1:1 Macro Lens and a little diffused flash.
...this way comes. Crotalus horridus, also called timber rattlesnake, canebrake rattlesnake or banded rattlesnake. This one was by no means in a posing mood, but I managed to capture a few good shot in the spring of 2017.
A Canebrake Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) from Angelina County, Texas.
Snakes are among the most despised, vilified, and persecuted groups of animals in the country. They are often seen as a dangerous threat or disgusting nuisance. As a result they are wantonly killed, with many adopting a philosophy that "the only good snake is a dead snake." They are even intentionally killed in places far from homes or human activity. I know that many of us have seen evidence of this on quiet sandy backroads, including roads in protected areas such as National Parks, Preserves, and Forests - where tire tracks provide evidence that a driver swerved out of their way to hit a snake that had nearly made it across the road. I have even seen where they then back up over the dying animal several times to ensure that the deed is done.
The reasons for this disdain are likely varied, but it is a shame - one that I find infinitely frustrating as someone who admires these incredible, important animals. Pictured here is a beautiful timber, or canebrake, rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) that I had the good fortune of encountering with my close friend James Childress on his land in Angelina County, Texas. Rattlesnakes are among the "worst of worst" for many people. There is much lore surrounding their aggressive temperament and the danger they pose. Unsurprisingly, those who know their true nature find the opposite to be true. While, like humans, each snake has a unique personality, rattlesnakes are not prone to attack humans. Venom evolved as a prey acquisition mechanism. As it takes time to take effect, it is completely useless as a means of defense. And, because venom is metabolically expensive to produce, and the snakes depend on it for survival, they are highly reluctant to bite. That is why snakes of the genus Crotalus have evolved the rattle - a means of warning potential predators (and intruding humans) that they pack a punch. In other words, they provide us with every opportunity to retreat and avoid them. In fact, the VAST majority of individuals in the United States that are bit by venomous snakes in a given year are bit while intentionally approaching, handling, disturbing, or trying to kill the animal.
It is true that some rattlesnakes are reluctant to rattle. I have found, however, that those individuals tend to be particularly docile, and typically make no effort to bite, even when being handled or disturbed. Canebrake rattlesnakes are particularly quiet and calm. James and I stood a short distance from this snake, watching as it slowly and silently moved across the forest floor - a gentle giant of the forest that bore us no ill will. When disgust and fear are replaced by admiration and awe, one can see how truly beautiful these animals are. And they're beneficial. With so many species feeding on rodents, they provide natural pest and disease control. I accept that many will never change their opinion about snakes, but I hope that with good information and exposure, that some who once feared the serpent may come to appreciate them in time.
(Crotalus horridus). Angelina County, Texas.
Another image of the beautiful snake from yesterday's post. This view highlights their camouflage. I worked with the contrast in post to highlight the subject a bit more, but when coiled in a solid carpet of leaves, they become nearly invisible.
Thorny Devils (Moloch horridus) have to be the cutest little lizards I've ever seen. They're very common in central Australia, but not so easy to find because they are masters of camouflage.
Not only can they adapt their colour to suit their surroundings, they live in spinifex bushes that are sharp, spindly and afford great protection. They can also be found anywhere where ants are plentiful.
The Thorny Devil has a hearty appetite and can quickly consume thousands of ants per day. They tend to move to a location where they are able to just open their mouth and the ants will go marching right in. This way they don’t have to go to great lengths to find food. This lizard stands between two termite mounds, making it the perfect place to hang out for a meal.
Timber Rattlesnake- Crotalus horridus
New Jersey
Summer 2016
www.matthewjsullivanphoto.com/
There are a lot of things I don't like about this shot but its a momma Timber cooking up babies at a birthing site so its worth sharing. Hopefully the new generation will be born healthy in the fall :)
*All my photos from now on will be downsized like crazy hence the reduced sharpness. Have found my photos being used in way too many places without permission or compensation so now will not be posting any sort of his res images.
In Chugach State Park just south of Anchorage, McHugh Creek tumbles from the mountains over boulders among the devil's club (Oplopanax horridus, Araliaceae; syn. Echinopanax horridus, Fatsia horrida) and elderberries.(Sambucus racemosa)
This was my 2nd Crotalus horridus of the year, found in classic ambush mode, waiting on dinner. They will stay like this, sometimes for days, waiting for a squirrel or chipmunk to come along. This one never moved an inch as I took 70+ shots of him with various lenses, flashes, and angles. So cool!
Crotalus horridus, also called timber rattlesnake, canebrake rattlesnake or banded rattlesnake. This one was by no means in a posing mood, but I managed to capture a few good shot in the spring of 2017.
Thorny Devil portrait. A desert icon.
Image taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mark 3 DSLR coupled to a vintage Rollei QBM mount Carl Zeiss Distagon HFT 16/2.8 lens with an adapter from Leitax. Hand-held with manual focus and settings.
A Thorny Devil (Moloch horridus) from the Barkly Tableland in outback Northern Territory. These things take ones breath away.
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Virginia, U.S.A.
This past weekend, I crossed paths with this beautiful and enigmatic apex predator of the Appalachian Mountains. In over 25 years of hiking and backpacking, this is only the second Timber Rattlesnake I’ve ever encountered. Described by Carl Linnaeus back in 1758, Crotalus horridus—Latin for “terrible rattle-snake”— it earned its name more from reputation than behavior. Though venomous, it is remarkably restrained, striking only when provoked. This quiet strength made it a powerful symbol during the American Revolution, famously coiled on the Gadsden flag beneath the warning: “Don’t Tread on Me.” Its temperament was believed to reflect the American character: I do not retreat, nor do I attack without cause. Tread softly.
Timber Rattlesnakes play a vital ecological role in the forest, helping regulate populations of small mammals like mice, voles, chipmunks, and squirrels—many of which are vectors for Lyme disease and other pathogens. They also in turn support healthy forest biodiversity while serving as prey for hawks, coyotes, and other opportunistic predators.
According to the IUCN Red List, the Timber Rattlesnake has an adult population roughly estimated around 100,000 but its population is decreasing across most of its range. For example, the Canadian population in southern Ontario is extinct, having been last recorded in 1941. In all of the northeastern states, it is either declining or already extirpated.
IUCN Red List Assessment (2007): Least Concern (but assessment needs to be updated)
Devil's club is a large understory shrub native to the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. It is found from southcentral Alaska south to Oregon, and eastward to western Alberta and Montana. The plant has large palmate leaves, 20 to 40 centimetres (8 to 15+1⁄2 in) across, and erect, woody stems covered in noxious and irritating spines. It grows to 1 to 1.5 metres (3+1⁄2 to 5 ft) tall. The fruit are shiny red drupes in elongate clusters. The plants are slow growing and take many years to reach seed-bearing maturity; this makes them very sensitive to human impact as they do not reproduce quickly.