Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I will be riding my bike in the everglades at the end of the month. Was wondering how the herping is doing. Will snakes be around and about at the end of Sept? Id really like to see a few of them and take some great pics. Are the water snakes still out? Does anyone know any great tent camping areas in the everglades. Thanks

Within Everglades National Park, there is an area called Long Pine Key that has a number of campsites. It is a pretty nice area on a small lake and is dominated by slash pine forest. In September, you will probably have the campground all to yourself, but there is a reason for this...it is the wet season and the mosquitos and horseflys can be unbearable this time of year. Make sure you bring plenty of bug spray. It will also be very wet and hot. Eventhough the pinelands are some of the highest ground in the everglades, even they get flooded in the fall. The combination of bugs, rain, and hot nights usually makes more pretty unpleasant camping.

But on the brightside, there should be plenty of snakes out and about. Watersnakes are very common and can be found just about anywhere all year around. When it is really wet like it will be in Sept., don't be surprised to see cottonmouths in the middle of a slash pine forest. Hope this helps some.

-Joe

I agree with the the last post, bring bug spray...and I've been to flamingo at the end of the main road in everglades nat. park and during the fifty mile drive from there to the gate we ran over no less than a half a million frogs and watersnakes,dodging what we could like the bigsnakes and frogs but you are shure to see many at night on the main drag... have a blast JB

Really there was a ton. What month was it. Also Im not too familar with the roads in the everglades, is there a good map i can buy of S florida. Also can you ride a big on that road? What other kinds of snakes did you see, or where they all waters.

If you are going to go Everglades National Park, you don't need to buy a map. When you stop at the entrance to pay the fee ($10 per week) just ask for a map, they're free. The National Park Service has a really good map that shows all park roads and trails. It also shows the location of different habitats (pineland, cypress, sawgrass, freshwater marl prarie, hardwood hammock...). This map can also be accessed online as a pdf file from the Everglades National Park's website.

I don't know the rule regarding bikes on the main park road but I've seen people riding there before. Be advised that it is just a two lane road with cars driving in excess of 60 mph. As jodscrovy said, watersnakes (all 3 species) and frogs are everywhere, including all of the roads. Cottonmouths, garters, ribbons, and racers are also very common. You could find just about any species that resides within South Florida within the Park. Good luck...

-Joe

Any other good spots in S Fl?

Loop Road at night i imagine

but BUGSPRAY is Golden

and DO NOT take a snake hook or bag or get caught messing with an animal because miccosuke police will confiscate your car and then you will be in a bad one.

ive never had any troubles herping the everglades. sure, we've gotten pulled for swerving for frogs, and stopping for wildlife, but with a valid explanation (it's not illegal to herp, as long as you do it within the laws of the area you're in) every officer has let us on our way. i would not recommend going there if you're collecting though, in which case i wouldnt be surprised if you car was confiscated. we've always been hounded by rangers in the park, but as long as we're only taking pics and not otherwise disturbing wildlife, we're free to cruise all night.

anyway, i know this was an old topic, but i hope the trip went well.
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-Mike Martin
North Carolina