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what is better no moon full moon or half moon?...

>>what is better no moon full moon or half moon?...

Opinions vary but in desert environments, my personal belief is the less moon the better.
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HCU
Snakes of Hudspeth County, Texas

agreed, no moon is better. slight breeze is better. light shower or right before or after is better. In summer.
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Todd Hughes

In my experience, New Moon (no moon) phase is best. And this includes during the day. Over the past 35+ years, I've noticed and documented this trend. Long ago, I thought this was due to the animal being vunerable to predation at night. But when I've compared field notes, the trend includes success during the day. Anyone else want to put in 2 cents?
Bob

Rick Shine did a study on Arafura Filesnakes a few years back where they were trapping filesnakes (which are completely aquatic) in traps. Their trapping success was highest around the new moon.
So there is quantifiable data to confirm what most herpers know - more herps move around the new moon (i.e. dark of the moon) than during the full moon cycle. I think the best time is the week before the dark of the moon.

Of course, I've caught snakes on full moon nights as well.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

>>Rick Shine did a study on Arafura Filesnakes a few years back where they were trapping filesnakes (which are completely aquatic) in traps. Their trapping success was highest around the new moon.
>>So there is quantifiable data to confirm what most herpers know - more herps move around the new moon (i.e. dark of the moon) than during the full moon cycle. I think the best time is the week before the dark of the moon.
>>
>>Of course, I've caught snakes on full moon nights as well.
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>>Chris Harrison
>>San Antonio, Texas

One snake that seems to defy the rule is atrox (diamondbacks). I see them out under any moon, go figure.
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HCU
Snakes of Hudspeth County, Texas

For me there hasn't been a difference in west texas. I've seen as many snakes on dark nights as lit nights. Many people stay home when the moon is bright so they obviously aren't seeing anything.

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Steve W.

I live in west texas and I see snakes no matter what phase it is. There is less activity on the roads, but hiking and shining cuts will still produce. Moisture and wind seem to be more important than moon phase for my personal results. Just in the last few weeks with a bright moon, I have seen alot of blacktails, trans-pecos ratsnakes, glossies, longnose, mojaves, diamondbacks, blindsnakes, and a lep in the Guadalupe mountains and Heuco mountains. Stuff will be out, but you wont see anything on the couch!

LOL, that is so true!
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Todd Hughes

Over the next few months I intend to put this to the test. In the past (Sept. 2006 & Apr. 2007) I saw the most snakes I'd ever seen on full moon nights, and had a friend w/ similar results in Oct '06... HOWEVER all snakes seen, but 2 were babies (Crotes & colubrids). I'm guessing that there are alot of other factors that went into us having such good nights besides moon phase, but it will still be fun just to get out and test theories.

reako45

such as hundreds if not thousands of hatchlings emerging at the same time and dispersing during Sept. I would say that feeding and mating cover the spring numbers. Both crazy times in a snakes life, the need to fulfill these urges overpower all others.
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Todd Hughes