Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Toby Brock and I went road cruising/flipping for a few hours yesterday despite the downright chilly temps. I was telling Toby of a dor p.g.m. that I saw the same day the front hit us (Friday) that had an enormous bolus sticking out of it, probably a cotton rat. We went to a new subdivision extension on the far west side of Corpus Christi where we saw another nice adult dor killed the day before. We also flipped a few Gulf Coast toads and a ground skink. They weren't buried up yet but under the ac. We got some funny looks from the people around Kingsville and the comment," You guys are looking in the wrong season!" Wish we could have flipped a rat or two but give it another warming spell between fronts and they will come back out! AAAAAAH, nothin quite like Texas on a wintery night!

We got some funny looks from the people around Kingsville and the comment," You guys are looking in the wrong season!"

Ha, that's funny. Most of the herpin' done here in n. MI is done in weather like you're having, 'bout 50*F. at night, 65-75*F. during the day. This is the kind of weather that is good for flipping. Of course, it depends on moisture too, and the species you're looking for. I think many of the locals just see snakes on the roads at night during the really hot weather of summer. I doubt they see many this time of year. Doesn't mean they're not there though. Many snakes are opportunistic and I think would take advantage of those winter warm spells you have. What I wouldn't give to be herpin' under those conditions. Today was 4*F. overnight and 29*F. for a high at our house. The water is frozen, of course. In South TX I bet the snakes stay pretty close to the surface even when they're brumating. I can't see the temps getting too cold underground.

Good luck finding those ratsnakes and please feel free to share photos of them. I'd love to find out more about winter herping in your area. Thanks...

TC

Terry,

The day Todd and I went flipping a/c, was very overcast, and I think the high was only in the upper 50's. It was a long shot for getting something close to the surface, and we knew it, but we were hopeful. We get plenty of warm spells and sunny weather during winter, though, and I am sure something will turn up, sooner or later. Man, 4*F would make me want to hibernate! LOL

-Toby

Haha, I WAS hibernatin' 'till Toby called me outta th' den! When I see toads up near the surface under ac, I know the snakes aren't too far down, especially if you target plastic or vinyl. That kind of ac holds moisture and also when skinks are above the leaf litter you will find snakes taking opportunity. I think the 2 dor's we found were days old but they couldn't feel the front coming or were hightailin' it and got caught out. Shame, these guys are seen by me more often than any other snake in our"winter", but they are S-L-O-W at this time. The fact that the one by my work had a huge meal in it tells me they can really handle some extreme temps, I mean, where was he gonna go to therm? He might have had a shop that was heated nearby for his home. Terry, as we find 'em we will post 'em! Not much story in a dor that a pic would have done justice. Enjoy the upcoming holidays and the best to you and yours!
Todd Hughes

Thanks for the notes, guys. I know it's not always going to be good conditions in winter, or produce when you think there are, but I'm just saying that I've seen snakes under pretty cool conditions too. The air temp can be less than 70*F. and they could be nice and toasty under cover, like black plastic or rock, etc, which heats up for them. Even sandy ground will probably be lots warmer than the air temp and they could be just below the surface. Anyway, it's often worth the look. I remember, Gus, down near Brownsville, talking about hitting the a/c during winter. He thought that was a great time of year. February might be a little less productive because the ground has had more time to cool, having to do with mass cooling. I'm not sure about the Gulf. Do those waters cool down much during winter there? Anyway, good luck finding stuff, and thanks for posting your notes on winter herping...!

Terry

Wish I were down there with you guys. I've been looking for a female for a few months now to pair with this male.

Todd,

According to the Weather Channel online extended forecast, it looks like we are in for a warm up, next week. Daytime temps in the 70's, lows in the 50's at night. Might be some good flippin', if the sun comes out.

-Toby

ps. Caught this little meahllmorum crossing a road in n. Nueces County, at dusk, 12/26/2005. Temps were in the low to mid 70's.

I love south Texas! Last year I got a lifer on the 27th of Dec. after the snow storm, an atrox crossing the snow! The atrox wasn't a lifer but a snake in snow sure was! I didn't have a camera then, like so many past stories, but my son was with me, just had a feelin' to check my splendida spot and it crawled across the road in front of us. I try to remember to charge my battery every night before I go walkabout now! I flipped that Calhoun co., Texas speckled king in Jan. under a pice of vinyl and he was sitting one layer above a broad banded water snake. Feb. is a tough month here.
Todd Hughes

Heheh! I am guessing you are talking about the south Texas blizzard of 2004, Todd. It was pretty warm last year. An atrox in the snow would've made a great Christmas card!

-Toby

oops, my bad, time sure flies when your hunting snakes!
Todd Hughes

Know whatcha mean! -TB