Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I started a new job and have been commuting from San Diego to Bakersfield every weekend. Last two weeks I've pulled of the highway for a little dirtroad night herping.I've found Mojave greens, a beautiful great basin gopher and a good size glossy plus numerous small lizards that were too fast to identify. Have pics but haven't posted pics in years and need to brush up. Anybody familiar with the area know where i might find sidewinders? I will be honest and say I would probably take one for personal collection. Thanks.

Try sandy areas like washes, dry river beds, dunes etc.

Matthew

The're out there esp. if you're heading up into Kern by the 14. Have found several up the 14 off the side roads just past California City.

reako45

Reako, thanks for the info. I was out last night closer to mojave. Slow night.Temp was only 70 and big bright moon. Only snake was 1 m.green.

Mojave and the area Reako mentioned should be jumping once this damn moon gets out of here! Many of the snakes in the mojave area dont come out on the full moons! Ive been dying to get out, but dont even waste my time when the moon is big. I am trying to figure out a way to get rid of the moon! LOL

Jason,
Thanks for the info. Still getting it dialed in out there. Only way is to go do it. What's the minimium night temps for good activity? The other night 70 degrees felt a little cool. The one mojave I found was really sluggish. I extracted the one in the pic from under a thick bush during the day. He's still pissed off. Anyway if you see a white chevy silverado out there on friday or monday nights, say hello....John

Don't expect too much activity after the moon goes away because August is a very slow month regardless of the conditions. Hatchlings start appearing in late Aug or early Sept. You "could" have some good nights finding quite a few hatchlings in September. Activity really drops once the temps reach the very low 60's, and anything above 85*. I've still found them in the low 90's and upper 50's, but its never "going off" at those temps. If a decent rain falls out there in Sept. that night should be great. My greatest nights have all been in Sept. fallowing a rain. That's when you start seeing a lot of adults again. Good luck.

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I had great luck last year after Sept. rains & a couple of Tropical depressions went by here in Texas.

Matthew