Reptile & Amphibian Forums

well in a few eeks ill we be going to port aransas texas if you no anything about herping there and what i might find please respond

check this site out
http://www.lifesci.utexas.edu/research/txherps/

nate

email me at antelope297todd@aol.com, I will help you out
Todd Hughes

According to HB12. So if you don't have land to walk on, then you are out of luck.

Sorry I can't offer better news.

Steven

There are a few places to view herps in Port A, although they aren't traditional flipping spots.

The port aransas birding center has a really cool boardwalk from where you can get cool views of Red-eared Turtles (from above) as well as basking alligators. If you are lucky, you might spot a Gulf Saltmarsh Snake there as well. Here's a pic of one I took from the boardwalk there last month -

Here's the boardwalk. It is actually a cool wildlife watching spot as most of the wildlife is very tame, including birds, turtles, alligators, nutria, etc.

Paradise Pond in port A is also a cool little boardwalk area. It has a lot of Red-eared Turtles and some stinkpots. Again, a few pics from last month -

As for roadcollecting being illegal, so is speeding. I don't think anyone is going to be giving tickets for that in that area.

The road that runs south out of Port A towards Mustang Island goes through some neat coastal dune habitat. In the day you could find neat stuff like Holbrookia propinqua on the dunes and at night that road might produce a few snakes (if it isn't too busy).

If you have chance to travel, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge a few miles north of there is a great spot to see herps. There are lots of gators, and herps often cross the quiet refuge roads if you watch carefully.

There are lots of frogs in the ponds, of course -

being eaten by gators -

Here's some snakes from the refuge roads..

Western Mudsnake -

Gulf-coast Ribbonsnake -

Texas Ratsnake -

The ubiquitous cottonmouth -

and the elusive Texas Scarlet Snake (good luck finding one of these, but if you do, get a photo!)

The best advice I could give, however, is to email todd (antelope). He lives in the area and I'm sure can set you on some good places.
-----
Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

so were all those snakes found at port. and are there coral snakes there those are my favorite!!!! yet ive never caught one but this is pretty random but i caught my first coachwhip today thats pretty i no yall have probaly caught alot but thats good for me lol and what crotalids live on the island sorry for the randomness of this post lol

I have not found corals on the island, but they may be there. Flour Bluff and west of Corpus holds plenty, where the scrub oaks start. As for crotes the wdb is abundant, be careful walking the dunes, they are there in the late afternoon therming for the night hunt. I really caution you to watch your step! There are some massasaugas reported further south but I haven't found them. The Holbrooki are disappearing with the clearing of the land for the resorts and golf courses. Sad, I haven't seen one this year. I did run across a coachwhip today, he was very light and surprisingly didn't want to fight but hid his head. Be sure and view the sea turtles as they are a sure bet from the jetties. You may have a hard time road cruising these critters, as they are being killed and forced back into the leeward side of the island deep into no man's land.
Todd Hughes

Chris,
What type of camera do you shoot your pics with? They are nice and clear.

Jason Mc

um my dad has a canon reble xti

I plan on purchasing an XTi this week. I'm still kind of stuck between the Canon and the Nikon. I figured I would purchase the Canon, and if I did'nt like it, I would return it.
It sucks trying to figure what camera is best for you, especially when they cost so much.

Jasonmc

i can ask my dad wich one he thinks would be better for wild life photography if thats mainly what your using it for