Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I always keep an eye out for snakes on the road locally where I live. Well, anywhere I go really, but particularly in my own county. It's York County here in SE Virginia.
I passed another DOR E.King today. The activity doesnt surprise me because of the rain we just had.
I hate to admit that my count is now something like 8 DOR's and one AID (Alive In Driveway). That's a terrible ratio I'd really like to change.

When AC is not available, where does everyone think that kingsnakes go ? Should I be rolling logs?
-----
Tom

"The more people I meet, the more I like my snakes"

The thing to remember is that these guys are pretty fossoreal and spend a lot of time underground. AC in my opinion does two things, it provides a window to this world AND as safe place for them to thermo-regulate. As a window, going to AC is pretty hit or miss so from that perspective not having AC isn’t a real big deal. If you look at AC from the perspective of warming behavior your luck begins to improve and AC is nice to have but you can still look for places that offer safe opportunities to warm up. I have the best luck in open grassy weedy fields adjacent to woods in the early morning. Bushes and or hedge rows that allow light through but cover from hawks are good places to head for. IN York County I would imagine along the base of the sunny side of a stone wall might be good too. Two glitches though. After about 9 - 9:30 its pretty much over and once the weeds and grasses get any height to them your chances of spotting one becomes pretty nill so by mid May its pretty much over too. After that you're pretty much limited to hitting the woods and peaking under bark which can be quite productive. I've heard that rolling logs is good too but personally have never had any success doing that.

I agree with Tony here. The a.c. can be a "half-way house" if you will, between the above and below ground ventures.
It is also not necessarily a waste of time to re-check your spots again on the way back home. You may have just caught them "out of the house" when you didn't see them on the first flip earlier. I have found kings under boards that I had flipped earlier on in the day on occasion.
:Mark

-----
Surrender Dorothy!

www.crimsonking.funtigo.com

Hey Mark, have another Currituck construction site rescue for you if interested. Nice looking female breedable size...

Very nice Tony. That one has a nice happy on the back of its head.
-----
SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS

Sometimes I'm amazed at how symetrical the head patterns of kings can be. With easterns the contrast is striking but the intricacy of brooks really blow me away.

You bet...
p.m. sent
:Mark
-----
Surrender Dorothy!

www.crimsonking.funtigo.com

yeah dors suck unfortunately you cant do anything about them. and actually thats why i dont really roadhunt that much as its sooooo heartbreaking especially this time of year. im a day flipper kings are pretty fossorial by nature ive always had luck around bodies of water lakes,ponds bayous, etc. and logs or rocks that are exposed to direct sunlight have been fruitful often they can be found on the crawl in the am and at dusk look for food species ie skink,lizard pops along with other snake pops if they are there and established the kings are there to, good luck easterns are the best,,,,,,,,,thomas davis

Tom,

Can you find some abandoned lots near water? I would make my own luck and start laying some stuff out.

You also ought to get the Delorme atlas for VA and study your area. You can find some great spots by looking for the dotted red lines running through wet areas and also by looking for abandoned rail roads.

I lived in Newport News for a year in the 1990's and I know there are tracks that run right along 64 and Jefferson Ave (???).

- Peter

The tracks that run through Newport News are very closely monitored, in some sections by CCTV, because of two intentional AmTrak derailings back in the 90's. I'd stay off them.

Guttersnack, contact me via email. Maybe we can get together and go herping. I live in Newport News.

My brother was stationed with the guy that did that! What a nut case he was! Also about setting AC out its a good idea to get permission first some land owners see it as lttering or dumping.

I've heard rumors of Mole Kings in Newport News. Have you ever seen any?
Thanks,
-Phil

I havent heard a single thing about mole kings in Newport News. Now that you've brought it to my attention I'll be a little more keen to keep an eye or ear out for them though.
-----
Tom

"The more people I meet, the more I like my snakes"

"Guttersnack, contact me via email. Maybe we can get together and go herping. I live in Newport News."

I think I did once already
No sweat. Done. How about tomorrow morning? (tuesday?) yea it's a bit late at 11pm to plan it now, but hey, it's worth a shot right?
-----
Tom

"The more people I meet, the more I like my snakes"

I've seen them basking, for lack of a better word, on the sides of a trail through a densely wooded area with a pond on the other side here in Virginia Beach. I hope this helps a little.
-Phil

No snakes at all. I was up at 6:30 and drove around until 9.
By then it was really sunny and hot. The morning was a bit cool and moist.
Today....was box turtle day....
I scooted 3 off the road, including one baby, and then later in the day caught an awesome looking male trucking across my backyard.

Enjoy!

-----
Tom

"The more people I meet, the more I like my snakes"