Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It has been really hot here in the San Francisco Bay Area (well, hot for us NorCal people), with some days hitting the low 80s. I have been stuck inside an office, in front of a computer, all day and really needed to see some green grass, smell that earthy air, and just get away from the City (as well as escape this horrible depression that has come over me recently). When one of my best friends texted me earlier today stating that he wanted to hit the field(outdoorsy guy, but never was too keen into herping), I opted to try out luck at road crusing.

Driving past prime herp habitat, I was able to convince my pal to help me lay down some boards, as it was still fairly light out. Emptying my trunk of the old pieces of wood (and countless spider eggs....ugh), we got back into the car and continued on.

No more than 5 minutes later I spot a shiny piece of rope moving off the asphalt....

SNAKE!

I pull off to the side and jump out, frantically searching for what could have been anything....

Well, it wasn't just anything...

Yup....a fully confluent, adult Coast Mountain Kingsnake (L.zonata multifasciata). My favorite North American snake.

Needless to say, I was beyond thrilled. Amongst all the cuss words and "Z dancing" I did, I managed some pretty horrible pictures (see above for the only two post-able ones).

What an evening.

nice find zach. you have better luck than me when it comes to finding lampros. it seems all i ever find are pacific gophers, ringnecks, and copious amounts of garters.

and yes, it's been way too hot on the peninisula recently (he types while sitting in boxers at his house in south city...). my bedroom faces east, so it's been in the 80's by 7ish every day recently.
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westmextricolors.wix.com/west1

i work with tri-colored west mexican lampropeltis. some morph, some hobby, and some locale.

everyone is entitled to their options, but no one's opinion will ever change how i feel about the snakes i keep and breed.

"nice find zach. you have better luck than me when it comes to finding lampros. it seems all i ever find are pacific gophers, ringnecks, and copious amounts of garters.

and yes, it's been way too hot on the peninisula recently (he types while sitting in boxers at his house in south city...). my bedroom faces east, so it's been in the 80's by 7ish every day recently."

Thanks! It is all about the right habitat at the right time of day.

Pacific gophers, rings, and garters are always cool! Seeing that you are in San Mateo county, any luck with SF Garters?

It has been ridiculously hot these past weeks. I am in SF proper and it is still too hot!

Btw, I checked out your website. Very nice snakes.

Great find! and road cruising too, congrats! still looking for my first zonata here...dave

Thanks, Dave!

Believe me, I did not expect to ever see one of these gems on the asphalt!

Zach, I always love your posts, and enjoy seeing your herp conquests.

I am ecstatic for you!! What an awesome find!!

Two things:

Killer Discharge shirt.
Did you go to Tommy's Joint to celebrate after your find?
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Genesis 1:1

Thank you! I have kind of slowed down on keeping snakes in captivity and have found much joy in finding them in the wild. Anytime I see a wild getula or zonata, I freak out!

Discharge is one of my favorite bands! Never Again!

Haha, I LOVE Tommy's Joint! Can't beat their sandwiches and turkey wings!