Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know this has probably been discussed before but if anyone feels like taking the time to share info about gray-band sightings in New Mexico it would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
LG

ps...coachwhip found at night near Pecos bridge in Tex.

SURE!

Firstly, they are protected in NM.

They for sure range in Otero and Eddy county. They probably occur in Chaves county.

I believe the range west of the Rio Grande into NM. Some say BS, but they range west of the rio into Chihuahua so why not NM?

I also believe they range significantly further north into NM than is currently recognized.

If you are looking to do a little exploring try the following areas:

1) Potrillo Mtns. just for fun - they may not be there but it's a hunch

2) 506 in Otero county

3)southern foothills of the Caballo mtns. in Dona Ana county.

4) The road that cuts through SW Chaves county SE of Lewis Peak.

If you found one in in any of those areas it would be significant

Forky

Joe....I wish you give give this guy some valuable info. (LOL)!! Hi Joe, hope this are going well for you.

And... that red Coachwhip is good looking!

Ken Diehl

I wasn't aware they were found in Otero county but I'm not suprised a bit. Where they found in the Guadalupes? How many have been found there?

I've spent alot of time in Chaves and Otero counties in those areas and I would agree that area around Lewis peak and possibly much further north in Chaves is good habitat. I used to work in the instrumentation and controls business and traveled alot of back roads in Eddy, Otero, and Lee counties. I worked with oil and gas companies and the potash mines. I'm pretty sure I found a DOR near Sitting Bull falls in 1988 or 1989. I was flat as pancake and looked to be several days old. I had no idea what it was back then but I'm pretty sure now. I wish I'd had a camera.

I've often thought they may even range to the Felix river north of hwy 82 in Chaves cnty. 506 in Otero might be worth a try too.

As for the rest of your list. Whew! Oh ye of little faith. I guess if I was gonna try the Portillos I'd range even further west to the Florida mtns. and Tres Hermanas too. I'm not sure I spend any time at all east of the Rio in Dona Anna cnty.
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Vichris

Vichris Variables

>>I wasn't aware they were found in Otero county but I'm not suprised a bit. Where they found in the Guadalupes? How many have been found there?

Firstly, I've never hunted alterna in NM. I camped in Dog Canyon once in the 80's, had a look around at a few spots, and that's about it.

Supposedly there is one "official" Otero county animal but I don't have the locality. NM, and the folks who hunt NM are treating the alterna range like a national security issue. There are plenty of rumors though that indicate a good number of alterna are being found in Otero county.

>> I've spent alot of time in Chaves and Otero counties in those areas and I would agree that area around Lewis peak and possibly much further north in Chaves is good habitat. I used to work in the instrumentation and controls business and traveled alot of back roads in Eddy, Otero, and Lee counties. I worked with oil and gas companies and the potash mines. I'm pretty sure I found a DOR near Sitting Bull falls in 1988 or 1989. I was flat as pancake and looked to be several days old. I had no idea what it was back then but I'm pretty sure now. I wish I'd had a camera.

Ah, Sitting Bull Falls! Yes, I love it. I've been insistent to several friends there are alterna there, and I guess a healthy population of them too. SBF is a no brainer. THere are alterna there without a doubt.

>>I've often thought they may even range to the Felix river north of hwy 82 in Chaves cnty. 506 in Otero might be worth a try too.

I haven't looked at that area, or tried to analyze it at all. I will though!

>>As for the rest of your list. Whew! Oh ye of little faith. I guess if I was gonna try the Portillos I'd range even further west to the Florida mtns. and Tres Hermanas too. I'm not sure I spend any time at all east of the Rio in Dona Anna cnty.

Seriously, most of my list was just wild guesses since literally no rock solid information is coming out of NM - jusr rumors. I do have two more interesting leads that date back over thirty years. One is the Elephant Butte area and the other is that area west of the Rio Grande and south of Silver city. Maybe the Florida Mtns! Why not? I've never been in the Potrillo or the Floridas to have a look so it was just a hunch from old info and looking at maps.

Lastly, I think if we collectively could establish a much larger range in NM, and establish alterna can be found with some frequency there, maybe, just maybe, they will delist them!? I still don't know if I'd go look for them there, but someday I will go have a look at these areas just for fun. I know much more about alterna in ole Mexico than I do in New Mexico!

Forky

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>>Vichris
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>>Vichris Variables

I agree that if they had more data they would likely not need to protect the animal at all. I think it is easy to say that as a species they do not need protection. There is a very large range down into Mexico, and the vast majority of it is not collected at all or developed. And the way they protected them as soon as one animal was documented says a lot to me. It was a knee jerk reaction with no documentation that there was any need for protection. And now any animals that are seen are so hush hush that no data can be compiled to see if protected status is warranted. Plus the chances of the state funding a study to de-list them is about zero.

It is just frustrating to think about. I remember years ago hearing that the state needed a specimen to protect them, and they fully intended to do that as soon as that specimen turned up. Which they did…

If anybody has any idea on how to get them off the list until data can show a need for protection. Then we should all get behind it and run.