DrewWild

08/05/2026

Excuse the language lol 😂

08/05/2026

08/05/2026

The Southern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor priapus) is a fast, nonvenomous snake found throughout the southeastern United States. These snakes are active during the day and are often seen in open habitats like fields, forest edges, brushy areas, and even suburban yards.

Racers are important predators because they help keep populations of rodents, lizards, frogs, insects, and even other snakes in check. Despite their speed and sometimes defensive behavior when handled, they are not dangerous to people and usually try to escape rather than fight.

Adults are typically about 4.5 feet long, though some can exceed 5.5 feet, and hatchlings are much smaller at around 8 to 12 inches long.

Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Coluber
Species: Coluber constrictor
Subspecies: Coluber constrictor priapus

08/04/2026

Wildlife Spotlight Series: The Eastern Racer (Coluber constrictor)

Over the next several days, we’ll be taking a closer look at one of North America’s most misunderstood snakes.... the Eastern Racer, also known as the North American Racer (Coluber constrictor).

This fast-moving, nonvenomous snake is found across much of the United States and is represented by several subspecies, each adapted to different habitats and regions.

Throughout this series, we’ll explore:
The different subspecies of Coluber constrictor
Where they live and what habitats they prefer
Their unique colors and patterns
What they eat and their role in the ecosystem

Despite their scientific name containing “constrictor,” these snakes do not squeeze their prey like other constrictors. Instead, they rely on speed, eyesight, and quick strikes to hunt.

Geographical range of Coluber constrictor subspecies; adapted from figure by Gary Nafis

08/04/2026

The Eastern copperhead is definitely one of North America's most misunderstood snakes.

People often assume they're aggressive, but that's not the case. Copperheads typically rely on their exceptional camouflage to avoid being seen.

If you encounter one, the safest approach is simple: give it plenty of space and let it move away on its own. Copperheads want nothing to do with people.

Their reputation is far worse than their actual behavior, making them a good example of a snake that's feared more than it deserves.

08/03/2026

Not wildlife related. Just a great memory I'd like to share with you all.

A lot of you may not know this, but I used to spend my Friday nights on the sidelines photographing high school football. Them days are long behind me but do enjoy when then pop up on my Facebook memories.

Some photos stay with you, not because they won awards or went viral, but because they captured a feeling you can't recreate. This image is one of those for me.

I spent countless Friday nights on the sidelines chasing moments. Touchdowns, tackles, and celebrations. They all tell part of the story. But every now and then, a quiet moment says even more.

Years later, this image still takes me right back to those Friday nights, camera in hand, waiting for the next story to unfold. Some photographs never lose their impact, and this one never has for me.

08/02/2026

How can someone look at this and not think we need to protect the environment around us?

It's hard for me to look at something like this and not think about how important it is to protect the world around us. Every small creature has a place in the ecosystem, and every patch of habitat matters. This little Prairie Lizard is perfectly adapted to its environment, but it can only thrive if that environment still exists. Conservation isn't just about saving the big, iconic animals. It's about protecting the countless small lives that make our natural world so incredible. Sometimes all it takes is slowing down long enough to notice them.

08/01/2026

Gray tree frogs are more variable in appearance than green tree frogs. They can look gray, brown, green, or even nearly white depending on temperature, light, and surroundings. Instead of a clean side stripe, they usually have a mottled or blotchy back that resembles bark or lichen, and they often show a pale spot beneath each eye. Their skin also tends to look rougher or more granulated than that of green tree frogs. Gray tree frogs use a wide range of habitats, especially wooded areas, forest edges, suburban yards, and places near breeding ponds; they are often found higher in trees or on bark where their camouflage works well.

Green tree frogs are the easier one to recognize at a glance because they are typically a solid green color with a pale white or cream stripe running down the side of the body. They usually look smoother and less mottled than gray tree frogs. In the field, they are often associated with warm, wet habitats such as swamps, ponds, marshes, ditches, and other water-rich areas with plenty of vegetation. They spend much of their time climbing on reeds, shrubs, trees, and other plants near water, where their color helps them blend in.

07/31/2026

Here is a fantastic example of natural camouflage. The gray treefrog blends into the bark so well that it's easy to miss at first glance.

07/30/2026

If a snake needs to be moved, it should be relocated safely and responsibly to suitable habitat. Choosing compassion over fear helps protect our native wildlife and promotes a healthier ecosystem for everyone.