Herping; A Western Maryland Surprise!

Herping is a great way to spend time outdoors. Exploring the world for the reptiles and amphibians we share our world with will allow you to become familiar with many species. You'll often want to travel to new locations to encounter creatures that are new to you, and often you will be amazed at the incredible animals you encounter on these trips. But you don't always have to travel long distances to find a surprise or two. That's the great thing about herping. You can do it close to home as well, and that's a good thing with the high price of fuel these days. So Matt and Siobhan got together with a few friends to enjoy some time on a short drive from home. Not only was this a productive trip, but they came across a hognose snake in an area where they wouldn't have expected to find one. The also take a look at a threatened species of turtle, the Wood Turtle, which they were fortunate to come across on this trip. This adorable turtle then led them to another incredible find, a huge Red Salamander. They also came across a Milk Snake that had some really amazing coloration not commonly found on those snakes. The snake bite that Siobhan endured from him has to be seen to be believed. He opens his mouth to an almost complete 180 degree angle as he latches on to her arm!
#herping #Maryland #2022

[smetlogik]

You're doing something right when you send the wood turtle to get the next herp for you. Those were some really cool herps, nice find on the hog!

[TFerrazzo]

That Milksnake was a monster. Awesome video!

[coreyswhitetailwoods]

Man you guys are so knowledgeable with All the species you find. Very impressive! Who is the couple doing the herping? I'm only familiar with Mike Dana and Michael.

[DOUBLEO_ObsessionOutdoors]

Was this at "the spot" ? If so i saw a pic/vid of a melanistic hog from there last month could be the same one lol

[Stans-The-Truth]

40 years of herping in Western Md and I've only ever found 2 hognose. So yeah they not real common in Western Md.