Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello. I am 14 years old, and want to try field herping. I have been wanting to for years now.

So, where should I start? I know there isn't much in Massachusetts, but I think this spring/summer I'm going to Arizona or Texas. What are some good books to read for some backround info? What should I bring? What is a good camera to use? Any tips and hints are great too.

>>So, where should I start? I know there isn't much in Massachusetts, but I think this spring/summer I'm going to Arizona or Texas. What are some good books to read for some backround info? What should I bring? What is a good camera to use? Any tips and hints are great too.

There is enough in MA to get your feet wet. AZ and TX are good if you like snakes and lizards (well, TX has about everything).

I would start looking through field guides to find out what kind of animals are in the areas of interest. You can pick up info on preferred habitat, for example, to help you narrow your search.

As far as equipment goes, if you are flying to AZ/TX, you're going to be limited as to what you can bring. I have a collapsible snake hook for such trips, but it's not as good as a "standard" hook (not quite as sturdy when pinning venomous snakes, for example). A cheap and efficient alternative is a potato rake (can be found at hardware/garden stores and places like Sears). Good for lifting trash and snakes!

A good camera would be any one which can take good closeups. I have a Canon PowerMax G2 which does a decent job.

As far as tips and hints--search illegal dump sites. Legal dump sites are, in my experience, too "sanitized" to find much. Vacant lots where people dump large, flat things on the ground provide good cover for all sorts of herps. Be very careful when lifting objects, because you never know if a venomous snake is underneath! Also, replace objects exactly the way you found them so you don't disturb an animal's hiding spot.

Hope this helps!

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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

Thanks

At illegal dumpsites, watch out for nails in boards that have been tossed. People toss the boards as they tore them down, thus the nails are there and as sharp (as well as rusty) as ever. My foot has come up more than a few times with a board securely lodged in my foot through a nail that went through my show into my heel. Also watch for wasps and ants. They get to you occasionally. Andy
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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Burgundy baby, With your blue eyed soul, You play the hits and I'm on that roll, Capricorn sister, Freddie Mercury, Jupiter Child cry

I went to an abandoned neighborhood with Scott Wahlberg the other day and every board I flipped was full of fire ants. Makes me wonder hwy any herp would even bother to hide there.

That sounds like a good idea

>>Hello. I am 14 years old, and want to try field herping. I have been wanting to for years now.
>>
>>So, where should I start? I know there isn't much in Massachusetts, but I think this spring/summer I'm going to Arizona or Texas. What are some good books to read for some backround info? What should I bring? What is a good camera to use? Any tips and hints are great too.

Hey, Im 14 also. I'm from Illinois and I know the feeling. But from what I understand, there is quite a bit in MA. Try to get in touch with local DNR officers. I have a friend that works with the US fish and wildlife service that has been great help. Now he only trusts me because I dont collect. If you even mention the word collecting around them, forget it. But Peterson has a good field guide for eastern US herps. Along with the national audubon society field guide. Also, the site listed below is great.

Mike
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I have:
1.1 Kankakee Bulls
1.0 veild chameleon
1.1 corns
0.1 az king
1.2 tiger sals
0.0.4 fox snakes
0.1 3-toe box turtle
1.1 Crotaphytus collaris
1.1 Crotaphytus binctores
1.1 Korean Ratsnake
1.1 Goini kings

I'll call them, thanks for the info.

I also live in Ma. (N.E. Ma., Salem) and I do pretty well field herping. I don't find a huge selection with exotic species like in some places but still have a great time. He in N.E. Ma. I find E. Garters, E. Milks, Ringnecks, Black Racers, Brown snakes and even found a huge black rat 2 years ago (it was always my understanding that they don't appear this far east but you never know.) Let me know where you live and I may be able to help you out with an area and what you may be able to find. Take care, Scott.
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Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

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But at the same time, it is every citizen's responsibility to disobey unjust laws."
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