Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am going down there pretty soon, and I am hoping to do some road hunting. I just want to know what species I need to watch out for?

Thanks...

Better to worry about robbers & thugs that also roam the roads,than the Rattlesnakes.

Al
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Confidence is what you feel before you comprehend the situation.

I know what I am getting into down there when it comes to drug cowboys and robbers, but I wasn't positive about what species of venomous are down there.....

Well, I'd say from a Gringo whose wife and entire family is from various areas of Mexico, you might be a tad overconfident. Looters, robbers and other villainess types are all over the place; probably the most popular occupation at the moment. On top of that, throw in kidnapping and you have quite a career choice in the making south of the border....heck, even a lot of Mexicans from the U.S. don't want to travel down there! Half kidding aside, though, there are some great folks and my recommendation would be to make sure you are with folks who know the area well (but it sounds like you know everything there is to know). You'll be in areas that are in close proximity to quite a few crotaline species so have fun and be safe.

>>I know what I am getting into down there when it comes to drug cowboys and robbers, but I wasn't positive about what species of venomous are down there.....
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

The drug thing was kind of a joke.

I have actually been down there a few times before. I know the area, roads, friends, etc. I just haven't been road hunting down there before. There are some safe roads, and some you couldn't pay me to go on. That is the reason I have not done any road hunting down there previously.

I surely do not know everything, but I have traveled 3rd world countries before. I probably came across wrong, but I was asking what species of venomous are down there, not what kind of people. I guess his post just rubbed me wrong, even though it shouldn't have.

From most of the books I have read that area seems like there is definitely crotalus and corals, but it seems to be on the border area for some of the pit vipers and was curious if anyone had some first hand experience....

Anyways, here is to a safe trip!

My girlfriend spent last summer in Guerro. It is a very beautiful area. It is a fairly cold are with its high elevation. I would also say to get the book by Campbell and Lamar.

You would probably have more luck herping if you travel a little more south into the southern and more coastal states.

I would feel comfortable herping in the area but maybe I am over confident.

np

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"The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere." Campbell and Lamar
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Shane's Herp Lifelist
http://www.geocities.com/shane77@sbcglobal.net/my_page.html

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