Reptile & Amphibian Forums

never seen a living wild snake in all that time. Of course I lived in the urban sprawl of Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa, but even on my few trips out to parks and camping... nada. I'm in the Tampa area now, does anyone have any suggested sites for finding kings? I have zero intention to collect, I have my hands full with my two captive born kings. I'd really just love to see some kings in the wild. You guys post such awesome pictures.Anywhere near the USF area would be preferable, I'd even drive to a neighboring county if required, and yes I understand that chances are if I go out I might not find anything haha. You can't knock for me trying though! Thanks guys.

Funny , I went to Orlando near disneyworld and found a ratsnake right in the parking lot of a taco bell at night. there was an adjacent dirt lot next door. So i guess it came from there.

part of the thing about finding snakes is you will to get an eye for them. i mean seeing them. Most pople don't noctice snakes on the road or on the shoulder of the hwys. Probably lots of folks walked by that corn at taco bell. it was right in front of the door. but since us herpers get a trained eye we see snakes when other people just miss them.
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www.Bluerosy.com

"Pray for Obama. Psalm 109:8".

"They that can give up essential liberty, to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty or safety." -Benjamin Franklin

LOL!! Man, too funny. I can go out herping all day and not see a thing. Go weed my flower beds in suburbia and find dekays snakes right outside my house LOL!! One year I had a RES lay eggs in the side flower bed, a three foot southern black racer cruise through the yard, and found a baby water snake in a holly bush of all places LOL!!

Yeah, a while back when a friend and I were bass fishing in a huge lake, I was all busy scanning the banks and overhanging trees for snakes as we were cruising along. I saw a Banded Water Snake in such thick cover it was ridiculous sunning itself on a tiny ray of sunlight that passed through the thick vegetation. When I told him to let's start heading over there to the bank because I see a snake sitting there motionless, he was absolutely BLOWN AWAY that I could actually identify a snake sitting still from that distance amidst all that thick cover.

I was like......"eh!(shrug) you develop "an eye" for this stuff over the years grasshopper..LOL!
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Tha's a great point Rainer. When my kids and I would go to parks together we'd spot snakes from the boardwalk or whtever and I'd be busy trying to get a photo when others would amble up. Generally we'd dummy up and just let them look, and most times they'd never know there was a snake there anywhere. After they passed I'd get my shots.....
:Mark
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Surrender Dorothy!

crimsonking.piczo.com/

...was out last month in 45F weather! Not far from you at a condo pool area.

You would be really lucky to find a king anywhere in that area.
:Mark
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Surrender Dorothy!

crimsonking.piczo.com/

I used to work at an office supply store in a large strip mall in Amarillo. We had snakes in the foyer and in the store on more than one occasion.
We also had birds, and foxes and once a skunk (I was NOT there for that one, thank God) get in the store.
I've also found rattlers in drainpipes off the side of the local roads sometimes. And in the parking lot of my first apartment, a goodly colony of skinks lived under the maintenece building.

Don't get downhearted living in a city, there's still stuff to find
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We wouldn't have 6 and a half billion people if you had to be beautiful to get laid.
6.6 African House snakes
3.2 reticulated pythons
.1 corn snake
4.2 Florida Kings
1.2 speckled kings
1.2 ball pythons
0.0.1 Argentine boa

Now is a good time to go flipping debris to check for snakes. With the temps warming up they are probably coming out during the day to sun, then retreating to handy hide areas in debris piles, beneath boards and tires, etc. As far as "where", I would say any where in your area that is near wooded areas with water resources and has heavy debris and cover for the snakes to hide within. Just a general herping rule that applies to just about everywhere. Drive the outskirts of your area and look for old and abandoned buildings, construction sites, etc. in rural or newly developed wooded areas.

I put out some boards in my backyard when I bought the house...I'm hoping to find stuff under 'em this year.
I've found skinks, and toads, and a ribbon snake justdoing yardword over the last 2 years.

My folks have the jackpot though in Houston; they've found mud snakes(I'm fairly sure that is what it was), texas rat snakes, buttermilk racers, speckled kings and more amphibians than I can shake a stick at. All in their backyard. And coons, possums, etc.
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We wouldn't have 6 and a half billion people if you had to be beautiful to get laid.
6.6 African House snakes
3.2 reticulated pythons
.1 corn snake
4.2 Florida Kings
1.2 speckled kings
1.2 ball pythons
0.0.1 Argentine boa

I live in a heavy populated residential area here in Baton Rouge. However, my neighborhood has a manmade lake that drains to a local creek, and there are nice green areas around the neighborhood. I have found Redeared sliders, a southern black racer, dekay snakes, and a water snake in addition to anoles, toads, and house geckos. I am VERY surprised I have not found a speckled king or ribbon snake yet LOL!!