Tree Serpents

Rough Greensnakes are excellent climbers.

One of the most beautiful and harmless snakes in Texas is the aptly named Rough Greensnake (Opheodrys aestivus).  Its genus is derived from the Greek ophios meaning ‘serpent’, and drys meaning ‘tree.’  It has a 22 to 32 inch long and slender bright green body, which fades to yellow or yellow-green on the sides near its abdomen.  Common to the eastern two-thirds of Texas, this snake is also colloquially called grass snake, green tree snake, and vine snake, but it gets its most recognized common name from its dorsal or topside scales, which are rough or ‘keeled’, having a ridge down the center rather than being smooth.

Primarily arboreal, the Rough Greensnake is found in open deciduous forest, pastures, and suburban gardens, most frequently those adjoining a watercourse such as a creek, stream, lake, river, or upland ravine.  It climbs into bushes, shrubs, and trees, favoring those with horizontal rather than vertical growth, both for protection and to forage for food.   It hunts crickets, grasshoppers, and spiders, as well as caterpillars of butterflies and moths.  Rough Greensnakes are diurnal, and they sleep at night coiled up on branches of vegetation.  Active most months of the year except for December through February, they take refuge in the cooler months hiding under rocks, logs, or debris.

Rough Greensnakes are also called 'grass snakes', due to their
bright green bodies that fade to yellow on their sides and abdomen.

One of the most curious facts about this snake, and others in this genus, is that they turn blue shortly after death.  Yellow pigment combines with blue pigment to give the snake its vibrant green color during life, but when it dies, the yellow pigment breaks down quickly and only the blue pigment remains.  Rough Greensnakes may be confused with Smooth Greensnakes (O. vernalis), but the latter, while similar in color, is shorter in length, has smooth dorsal scales, and occurs only as a relict population along the Gulf Coast of Texas.

While Rough Greensnakes become active as early as March, they mate in June and July, with females laying clutches of eggs in the second half of summer, typically in a depression under a flat rock.  Incubation is short – only 4 to 24 days – since embryonic development begins while the eggs are still in the female’s body.  These snakes can be most active in August or September, when the young emerge and are foraging for food, often in grassy lawns.  Be alert for these snakes when mowing grass at this time of year, as they are beautiful, harmless, and beneficial creatures!   

Hardy Brushfoots

American Lady nectaring on Elbowbush

Winter is hardly a notable time for watching butterflies, except for those in the Nymphalidae family known as the brush-footed or brushfoots.  Most of these species are medium-sized to fairly large butterflies that hold their wings flat when resting and have a reduced pair of forelegs.  This group is also commonly called four-footed butterflies, because they are known to stand on only four legs while the reduced pair are held up against their mid-section or thorax. 

In some species, these shorter forelegs also have a brush-like set of soft hairs called setae, and it is unclear why these forelegs have become vestigial, or appearing to lose most of their ancestral function.  One theory is that these forelegs may be used to amplify the sense of smell (yes, many butterflies ‘taste’ with their feet!), while others believe they are used to improve signaling and communication between individuals of the same species, while standing on the other four.  The latter seems to be the leading theory so far, as that ability would prove most useful in terms of reproduction and the continuing overall health of the species.

More remarkably, brushfoots are experts at overwintering, or the process by which they pass through or wait out the winter season.  While many insects overwinter as eggs or pupae, brushfoots overwinter as adult butterflies.  They take cover in places such as building crevices, under loose bark, or beneath fallen leaves or other plant matter.  These places shield the brushfoots from the adverse conditions of winter, and their activity ceases until conditions become more favorable.  

Mexican Plum

Texas Redbud

On the occasional warm winter day in Central Texas, these butterflies often emerge to bask in the sun and feed on various nutritional sources such as tree sap, rotting fruit, or animal scat.  They are also found on early blooming native shrubs and trees, including Elbowbush (Forestiera pubescens), Mexican Plum (Prunus mexicana), and Texas Redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis), all of which are typically blooming in February.

A Red Admiral nectaring with its wings closed 

While many brushfoots are brightly colored on their upper sides, their undersides are largely dull and cryptic, mimicking dead leaves and bark, offering them additional protection in their chosen overwintering sites.  Examples of the most frequently encountered and easily recognizable brushfoots in our area include the Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), and American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis).  

Question Mark

The Question Mark is fairly common in woodland openings, and is recognized by its deep orange wings spotted with brown and angled sharply at the edges.  Its cryptic underside is textured brown, resembling a dead leaf, and its hind wing is ‘punctuated’ by a curved silver line and dot also on the underside, which gives it its common name.  

A basking Red Admiral

Red Admirals are almost unmistakable, dark above with bright orange-red slashes and white dots on the outer part of the forewings, but intricately colored in mostly browns and blues below.  

A Common Buckeye warming in the winter sun

The Common Buckeye prefers open habitats, and can be identified by its overall golden brown color above, interrupted by large and striking multicolored eyespots.  

An American Lady resting on Elbowbush

Also preferring open or semi open habitats, American Ladies have an upper side with a mottled orange and brown pattern highlighted by white spots near the forewing tips, and the underside of the hind wings have two large eyespots in an olive background.  

The next time the weather is sunny and warmer, make a point to go outside and take a walk in the woods, a field or your garden, and see if you can find some of these hardy brushfoots!

A Charm of Finches

Lesser Goldfinches feeding on sunflower seeds, one of their preferred foods.

At times, winter in Central Texas may seem a bit drab, colorless, and dreary, but the season is usually brightened by members of a beautiful and diverse group of birds called finches.  These small, seed-eating birds have an undulating flight, and flocks of them often roam south in the winter.

A male Lesser Goldfinch

Found primarily west of the Balcones escarpment, Lesser Goldfinches (Spinus psaltria) are present year-round, but are more likely to be seen at bird feeders in the colder months.  At 4.5 inches long, males have an entirely black crown and back, white wingbars, and are lemon yellow below, while females have olive backs, black wings with whitish wingbars, and duller yellow underparts.  They can gather in groups of up to several hundred at a time, and are most commonly found in Texas and California.

A male American Goldfinch

The American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a slightly larger bird that is less common but typically present here from November to March. At 5 inches long, males have a bright yellow body, a black cap, and black wings with white wingbars.  Females are duller overall, with an olive body and black wings with prominent white wingbars. They are the only finch that molts its body feathers twice a year, in late summer and then again in late winter in preparation for breeding season.

A Pine Siskin

Most gregarious are the Pine Siskins (Spinus pinus), a 5 inch long finch with prominent brown streaking and yellow at the base of the tail and in flight feathers.  At first they may appear mostly grayish-brown, but they flash their yellow markings as they explode into flight or flutter while feeding.  Typically present from December through March, flocks of Pine Siskins may congregate at bird feeders one winter and be completely absent the next.  Their behavior is highly nomadic and their presence is erratic across North America in winter in response to available seed crops.  In fact, some individuals may stay near a dependable food source and breed far south of their normal breeding range, which is in Canada, the northern U.S., and higher elevations of the west.

While natural food sources are low in winter, these finches are most often seen at bird feeders that offer nyjer thistle and sunflower seeds.  Their conical bills are specifically adapted to pry open the outer covering of seeds, after which they shake their heads to loosen the husk, and then swallow the seed.  If you want to see these bright little birds at your feeders this winter, charm them by offering their favorite foods!

Help Find Coco - Missing African Grey Parrot

REWARD:  Missing African Grey Parrot in NW Austin

While this is not a typical post for this blog, we feel we’d be remiss in not trying to get the word out on Coco, an African Grey parrot missing in Northwest Austin since November 24th.  Please read this post and keep a look out for Coco.  If you have any information that would be helpful in locating Coco, please contact her owner directly (contact information at the end of this post).

Coco, an African Grey parrot, is a silvery grey bird with red tail feathers.
She is about 13 inches long, with a wingspan of 18 to 20 inches.

Coco’s natural diet consists of fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
These parrots can live 40 to 60 years in captivity.  They are
companion birds that are prized for their intelligence and ability
to mimic human speech.

A flyer distributed around town describes Coco.  She is tame and
may be enticed by a grape and a bit of cheese. 

From Coco's Owner:

Coco has been missing since Nov. 24, 2019 in Austin, TX in the area TX Hwy 360 and Spicewood Springs Rd. Two weeks after her missing date she was seen twice on Courtyard Drive behind the Tennis courts and Scout Island drive, which is about 2 miles away from where she flew away.  Then, a few days later, an African Grey was spotted flying with a flock of Quaker Parrots in the 360/183 area - I am positive this was Coco.  When the temperatures drop at night, she will seek warmth. She may fly also into any openings like garages or porches, so please watch out for her. She may sit on fences, birdbaths, high branches, but maybe even around garbage cans seeking food.  If you find her, please approach her slowly. A piece of cheese, meat or fruit will entice her for sure. Speak to her softly, calling her name and SLOWLY approach your forearm to her. She will step up onto your arm and just look at you. Please avoid any sudden movements. That would startle her and make her take off again. Coco is not sexed, but I wanted her to be a girl, therefore "she".  She is a pretty healthy strong parrot with a decent vocabulary for a 10-year-old birdie.

I am offering a generous reward to the person who finds her and gives her back to me. I am still crying my eyes out, blaming myself endlessly... Thank you all for your generous support in helping me find Coco!!!

Sibyllehohendorf-shoemaker@hotmail.com
512-968-7587

Gone to Seed

The seed heads of Illinois Bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis)
contain nutritious seeds that are the favorite of Bobwhite Quail.

Often used as an informal figure of speech meaning to deteriorate or go downhill, ‘gone to seed’ can have a negative connotation.  But each seed contains a new beginning: a tiny plant just waiting for the right conditions such as water, warmth, and a good location, to germinate and grow.  Seeds and seed heads form fascinating shapes, varying sizes, and intricate patterns, often adorning the fall and winter landscape.

Texas Star or Lindheimer Daisy (Lindheimera texana) has a five-pointed
seed head in the shape of a star. 

Plants have many ways of dispersing their seeds, and most have evolved over millions of years.  While many of the methods are tried and true, certain seeds have developed in very particular ways to take advantage of such methods, and some plants only release their seeds in response to specific triggers. 

The feathery seed heads of Scarlet Clematis
resemble small galaxies.

Wind helps seeds float or flutter away, often aided by seed structures such as thin wing extensions or long, feathery tails like those on the endemic Scarlet Clematis (Clematis texensis).  Texas Bluebonnets (Lupinus sp.) employ the expulsion or explosion method, where the small, pebble-like seeds are forcibly expelled when the dried pods twist open in the warm sun.  Similarly, Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii) has hood-shaped capsules enclosing seeds attached to a hooked stalk, ejecting the seed from the capsule when it dries and breaks open. 

The hood-shaped seed capsule of Flame Acanthus.

Gravity plays a part in many plants seed dispersals, where weighty seeds fall off the plant and roll to a new location.  The best example of this are the round, heavy fruits that simply fall off a plant when ripe, such as those on Mexican Plum (Prunus mexicana) or Texas Persimmon (Diospyros texana).  If the fruits have a tough outer shell, they may travel some distance from the parent plant, and if they have a soft skin, they may break open where they fall and scatter the seed or seeds within.  

Mexican plums are a favorite food of wildlife.

Some plants produce very light seeds, seeds with buoyant fluff, or seeds with air trapped in them, so they can float away from the parent plant that grows in or around water, like Common Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) or Black Willow (Salix nigra) or Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides).  Others employ the assistance of animals, which can come in the form of seed or fruit eating (where the seed can pass undigested through the animal), seed caching or burying, or seed transportation. Common examples of seed and fruit eating include Cedar Waxwings and American Robins consuming juniper and yaupon berries, and seed burying is a common practice of both ground and tree squirrels, who eat and cache acorns. Often unbeknownst to the animal, some seeds can be covered with tiny hooks or spines that catch on a passing animal’s fur, eventually transported to and rubbed off in another location. 

The cottony seeds of an Eastern Cottonwood.

This fall and winter, let the seeds linger, at least until early spring. Not only do they provide much needed food for wildlife, but leaving them allows for some beautiful and mysterious patterns in your winter landscape, and the promise of renewing the cycle of life that begins again each spring!

Night Bloomers

Berlandier's Trumpets

Many night blooming flowers have white or light-colored blossoms, a strong fragrance (although not always to human noses), and open by night and close by day.  These flowers are extremely important nectar sources for pollinators, and they are attracted to these flowers’ nectar mainly by scent.  Two of our best night blooming native plants are Berlandier’s Trumpets (Acleisanthes obtusa) and Jimsonweed (Datura wrightii).

Closeup of Berlandier's Trumpets

Also known as Vine Four O’Clock, Berlandier’s Trumpets is an upright perennial herb or climbing vine up to 6 feet long, easily controlled but often clambering over shrubs and small trees if left unchecked.  Its opposite, bright green leaves are triangular shaped, about 1.5 inches long, with slightly wavy edges.  But it is its white to light pink trumpet-shaped flowers, about 2 inches long, that bloom from April to December, producing a fragrant scent when open at night.  Berlandier’s Trumpet does well in full sun to part shade, is drought tolerant, and easy to grow and maintain.

Jimsonweed

Jimsonweed is a 3 to 6 foot tall stoutly branched herb, with alternate, coarse, large gray-green leaves that are broad at the base and pointed at the tip.  While its foliage is often described as rank-smelling, its flowers are sweetly fragrant white trumpets, up to 8 inches long, sometimes tinged with purple at the edges.  It blooms from May to November, and its flowers open in evening and close during the heat of the day.  

Jimsonweed Bloom

The fruit of this plant is a very distinctive spiny, globular capsule up to 1.5 inches in diameter, which opens fully when ripe.  Jimsonweed has several other common names such as Sacred Thorn-apple, Angel Trumpet, Devil’s Trumpet, and Sacred Datura. Some of these names refer to its use as a hallucinogen in Native American ceremonies, but it is important to note that all parts of this plant are toxic to humans.

Jimsonweed Fruit

Both of these native night blooming species attract several species of Sphinx moths (sometimes known as hawkmoths or hummingbird moths) as well as other pollinating insects such as long-tongued bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.  But it is the Jimsonweed that has mastered the art of mutualism, with its partner the Carolina Sphinx.  

Carolina Sphinx

While it is common for this plant to benefit from its relationship with the Carolina Sphinx (Manduca sexta) in the form of pollination, in turn it provides nectar for the adult moth and is the host plant for the moth’s caterpillars.  These large caterpillars (known to gardeners as ‘tomato hornworms’), consume many or all of the Jimsonweed’s leaves. But the plant is prepared for the attack, storing resources in its massive root enabling it to produce more leaves for the next generation of caterpillars.  In effect, Jimsonweed grows its own pollinators to ensure its reproductive success!

Aquatic Apalones

Spiny Softshell Turtle

The genus Apalone is thought to come from the Greek apo meaning ‘separate’ and the Anglo-Saxon alone meaning ‘solitary’, as well as the  Greek apalos meaning ‘soft’ or ‘tender.’  All of these terms apply to the members of this genus, which is comprised of the softshell turtles native to North America.  Turtles of this genus exhibit marked sexual dimorphism, or the condition where the two sexes of the same species exhibit different characteristics beyond their sexual organs.

Females grow to twice the size of males, in terms of carapace or shell length.  In males, the claws on their front feet are longer than those on the back feet, enabling them to better hold on to the female while mating.  In females, the claws on the back are longer, for digging into sandbanks in order to lay her eggs.  Lastly, males have a thicker, stout tail that extends well beyond the edge of its carapace, but the female’s tail is relatively thin and barely extends beyond the carapace.  From a behavioral standpoint, the female is much more solitary, wanders more, and requires deeper water, while the male often congregates with juveniles in sandy shallows and while basking along exposed banks.

Spiny Softshell Turtle

There are two species of softshell turtle in Texas. The more common Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera) is found throughout the state, while the Smooth Softshell Turtle (Apalone mutica) is found only in parts of the eastern two-thirds of the state. The Spiny Softshell’s olive-gray or tan carapace is leathery and flat, and has small spines along the front edge, which explains its species name.  At home in rivers, lakes, ponds, and other bodies of water with muddy or soft bottoms, its spends its time feeding on aquatic insects, fish, and crayfish, basking or floating at the surface, or buried in soft, shallow substrates.  Its long neck and snorkel-like nose allows the turtle to breathe at the water’s surface without having to leave its buried location. Females typically grow to 22 inches, while males top out at 8.5 inches in length.

Smooth Softshell Turtle

The Smooth Softshell’s olive-gray to brown carapace is also leathery and flat, but lacks any spines, bumps, or projections.  This characteristic is reflected in its species name, which means ‘shortened’ or ‘docked.’  It also prefers bodies of water with soft, sandy bottoms, and basks on banks, logs, rocks, or under shallow water with its long nose exposed.  Primarily insectivorous, it will also consume vegetation and small invertebrates and fish.  Smaller than the Spiny Softshell, females grow to 14 inches and males to 7 inches in length.

One odd but amazing fact about softshell turtles is that they are believed to absorb 70% of their oxygen through their skin.  The other 30% comes from pumping water in and out of their pharynx or throats, which contain many tiny projections of tissue with small blood vessels that provide a huge surface area for oxygen absorption.  This adaptation allows them to remain underwater for several hours.  Now that’s one highly aquatic Apalone!