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Herping ChallengesIntroductionA few years after this website was published, I compiled and posted on the forum a list of challenges that I thought might be fun for herpers in the state to try to meet. The challenges were revisited a couple of years later. Shortly after, I created this page so we might have a better place to keep track of these challenges. ~Kory Status
* Only historical records from the 1970's and before are known. Other Arkansas populations are known, or suspected, to be the result of released pets. Challenge #1: Find a W. Diamondback Rattlesnake north of the Arkansas River.Original Status (2005-JUL-02): I personally know of only a couple of known locations in Franklin County. Some tantalizing stories have crossed my path about even more northerly records, but none verifiable. I'll likely survey a few of these spots in the fall. Likely habitat is rugged, rocky terrain on SW-facing slopes; especially talus slides. Updated Status (2008-MAR-15): There is actually quite a bit to update about this challenge. As many of you know, our infamous Xena (a large female specimen) from Franklin County--and north of the Arkansas River--was tracked with the help of Dr. Steven Beaupre for 2+ seasons before unexpectedly expiring. Numerous efforts were put forth during this time span to find any of Xena's companions with no success. A few little surveying jaunts here and there have occurred since then. Several good potential localities have been noted, but it wasn't until Jeremy turned up a baby specimen in Crawford County in April of 2007 that success could be claimed again! This location is sure to have more "eyes to the ground" in the seasons to follow. Even with these successes, several AHS members still hold it as a personal challenge to find one in Arkansas...and many will not rest until they find their very own! Challenge #2: Find a Pituophis (i.e. Bullsnake or Pine Snake) in Arkansas.Original Status (2005-JUL-02): No known specimens are known from Arkansas. I've done some moderate survey work in the extreme NW corner without success. Just recently, someone told me that they had found Bullsnakes in Prairie Grove. While this seems unlikely, I am investigating. Likely habitat for Bullsnakes is natural prairie and/or open glade areas. Updated Status (2008-MAR-15): After now living in Benton County for a few years, I am even less convinced that Bullsnakes range into the state. This species seems to really like open habitats and even though we have plenty of such habitat in NW Arkansas, the heavily forested areas and fragmentation likely offers enough of a physical barrier to keep them out. Any occurrences, however unlikely, are more probable to come in from the west (such as west of Gravette or Gentry) than from the north. Future surveying efforts will focus on these areas. Challenge #3: Find a Ground Snake in Arkansas.Original Status (2005-JUL-02): Some recent discoveries have been exciting. In the AR Herp book, it says that the only known specimens are from near Sulfur Springs. While I've surveyed some glades in that area without success, other specimens have turned up in Carroll, Marion, and Polk counties. It is likely the species occurs in Boone County as well. Likely habitat is under rocks on open glades. Updated Status (2008-MAR-15): Several surveying efforts by AHS members have been put forth since the original challenge, but without success. I think just about every accessible glade around Sulfur Springs has been revisited and all of these glades are really overgrown with Red Cedars. It is unlikely the species still occurs at its historical locality there. A very large complex of glade habitats in Carroll County has been checked a couple of times and it may be just a matter of time before one turns up there. Challenge #4: Find a Slowinskii Corn Snake in Arkansas.Original Status (2005-JUL-02): This species, previously considered a subspecies of Corn Snake, was recently promoted to full species status. It is thought to occur extreme SE Arkansas. Updated Status (2008-MAR-15): AHS member, Lindsey, came to be in possession of a specimen captured in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, in 2007. Challenge #5: Find a Lined Snake in Arkansas.Original Status (2005-JUL-02): Potential locations would be the western edges of Sebastian, Scott, or Little River counties. Likely habitat is prairie or grassland/pasture. Updated Status (2008-MAR-15): While the Peterson Field Guide shows the species ranging tantalizingly close to the state, the more recently published (2006) Field Guide to Oklahoma's Amphibians and Reptiles doesn't have it within 3 counties! A brief and admittedly halfhearted surveying effort was put forth during the early spring of 2007. If they are here, some places to return to for an addition look would include the areas around Bates or Hartford. Both places have railroads, with plenty of ties to flip. Challenge #6: Find a Texas Horned Lizard in Arkansas.Original Status (2005-JUL-02): Thought to be extirpated. (Kory: Here's my story about this lizard... When I was in elementary school (in Madison County), a classmate brought one in for show-n-tell that they had caught. There is was. I saw it and knew what it was. I've never seen another.) Likely habitat is any area with sandy soil and plenty of ants (their preferred prey). Challenge #7: Find a Great Plains Skink in Arkansas.Original Status (2005-JUL-02): Only known from 2 locations; one in Benton County, one in Scott County. Likely habitat is prairie or open grassland/pasture. Favorite hideouts are under boards, pieces of tin, etc. Challenge #8: Find a Chicken Turtle in Arkansas.Original Status (2005-JUL-02): This species doesn't seem to "like" traditional live turtle traps; specimens have been sparse. Likely habitat is any SLOW water; no streams. It is easily confused with other aquatic turtles. Look for a long, striped neck and striped "seat of pants". Updated Status (2008-MAR-15): Dr. Steve Dinkelacker's lab (UCA) has been working on the species since 2007. Some localities are known with "workable" numbers. I guess you just have to know where to look. Challenge #9: Find a Coastal Plain Toad in Arkansas.Original Status (2005-JUL-02): Known only from a single locality in Union County. Best way to find would probably be at night during or after a rain in breeding pools (i.e. roadside ditches, small ponds, etc.). Challenge #10: Find a Plains Leopard Frog in Arkansas.Original Status (2005-JUL-02): Known only from a single vouchered specimen from Mississippi County. The other likely location would be Benton County. Likely habitat is near water in prairie or grassland/pasture. It is easily confused with the Southern Leopard Frog; look for a dorsolateral fold that is BROKEN NEAR BACK LEGS. Challenge #11: Find a Plains Spadefoot in Arkansas.Original Status (2005-JUL-02): Known only from 2 locations; one in Conway County, one in Yell County. Best way to find would be after a HEAVY rain in breeding pools near open grassland with sandy soil. Updated Status (2008-MAR-26): After very heavy rains (with some areas hitting 8+ inches!), Kory was able to make a trip down to one of the known locations---which is actually in Pope County, not Yell County as previously reported. Numerous specimens were observed in a breeding pool in the middle of a field. It is still a little unknown as to how rare this event actually was. It could be that it is just a matter of some rain and being at the right spot? Either way, it is one more challenge to mark off our list. Challenge #12: Find a Dusky Salamander in NW Arkansas.Original Status (200-JUL-02): A species of Dusky Salamander was recently re-discovered in the Spavinaw Creek Drainage in Benton County. I have done just a little survey work myself without success. Likely habitat would be at the SOURCE of clear, cold, spring-fed creeks; such as spring water seeping from rocky crevices. Look in crevices, under rocks, under moss and leaf litter, etc.; especially at night. Updated Status (2008-MAR-15): A couple of AHS members turned up specimens in 2006. Since then, the cat has kind of been let out of the bag with an eventual publication indicating that the population was introduced, likely from a local fish farm. Challenge #13: Find a Coral Snake north of the Ouachita River.Original Status (2008-JAN-31): Current records are all found south of Ouachita River (Hempstead, Nevada, Ouachita, Lafeyette, Columbia and Union). Challenge #14: Find a Spotted Dusky Salamander on Crowley's Ridge.Original Status (2008-JAN-31): Feared to be extirpated. Records from the 1960's indicate large populations in existence, but recent efforts to survey these historical sites have proven fruitless. Updated Status (2008-MAR-15): A short effort during our spring 2005 field trip at a historical location proved unsuccessful. Challenge #15: Find a Kiamichi Salamander in Arkansas.Original Status (2008-MAR-15): Found only on Kiamichi and Round Mountains. While Kiamichi Mountain is wholly in Oklahoma, a very small portion of Round Mountain cuts into Arkansas and this where the species should be found. An expedition early in the spring of 2008 surveyed the area without success, but a return venture later in the season should be successful. Challenge #16: Find a Yellow Mud Turtle in NW Arkansas.Original Status (2008-MAR-15): Closest records are just into the corner of SW Missouri. The species probably does occur in Arkansas. Set some turtle traps! |
