Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all, having spent the last couple of years firmly anchored (not by choice) in the UK, I've finally booked an escape to Texas (coast nr. Galvaston and the Hill country) this coming November.

As far as I can determine, that's around your winter period in the US so I was wondering what I might epect to find out there at that time of year if I put in a little effort searching. I'm assuming (hoping) that being such a warm part of the States not everything will have dashed off to hibernate. Does anyone have any herping experience of the area at that time of year that they could share?

Regards, Lee.

Lee,

You might have some luck flipping stuff in the Galveston area and it might even be warm enough to roadhunt a little. I have seen watersnakes basking on several occasions during November and if the temps are warm enough it isn't unusual to see other herps out and about. Alligator will be basking in appropriate places.

In the hill country, it is quite a bit cooler in November. There are still a few herps around at that time, but it is slow. Rain should bring out amphibians and I have found that time of year good for Rough Greensnakes on roads in the mornings.
-----
Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

I used to live in San Antonio (south central TX) and winter herping was real good if you could find stuff to flip. You can also find stuff out crawling...probably ribbon snakes, rat snakes, patchnose, etc.

I agree with Chris and Eric, some good herping exists in Texas in winter, the further south the better! I find a lot of juvy splendida on the lower coast in winter as well as coachwhips, rough greens,basking turtles and gators, anoles, med gecks, skinks and Texas and Great plains rats. Look for speckled kings along the coast flipping tin and trash. Water snakes and Thamnopis can be found as well. Good luck and let us know how you did.
Todd Hughes

Hi Guys, thanks to everyone for taking the time to offer your valuable advice. It's much appreciated!

So it sounds promising! Rock and rubbish tipping is usually the most fruitful way of finding herps here in the UK so it's good to know that I'll be able to employ similar tactics.

Really looking forward to my trip now. I'll be sure to post pics of anything and everything I find when I get back!

Thanks again!

Regards, Lee.