Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Pierson,

Got a question for you. What have you found to be your best sampling technique for N.c.clarkii? What is you average catch rate? Any certian areas, micro-habitats within the salt marshes appear to be favorites? Basically any data you have on your collection techniques would be useful. Others more than welcome to speak up.

Thanks, Gabe

Walking around with flashlights in salt marshes is generally a good idea, especially right after dark sets in. We have had some luck driving roads that have brackish creeks running along them or bordering salt marshes. Normal time for us seeing them is between 7 at night and 8 or 9 in the morning though last time we were at the beach we found one in a creek a long a jetty that was out at about 12 mid-day. Look for an area with lots of reeds. It takes some time and persistence to find clarkii, but if you can find an area where they have been found, then most likely you will find one pretty soon. And sometimes, they aren't even found too near water. Our first one was found probably half a mile or so from the closest water source. But most of the ones we have seen have been on roads near salt marshes.
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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

We need to get us a male for the female I have man. I bet if we Fieldherped that abandoned rd where he was found we turn up a few more. Sirtalis and ofcourse Calligaster are the target snakes for next yr.TTYl.
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signature field has been edited to remove comments which circumvent this sites filter.

Edited on December 8, 2003 at 09:45:44 by phwyvern.

Soon man...Real soon.
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Andy Maddox
AIM: SurfAndSkimTx04
MSN: Poloboy32486@hotmail.com
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 have only found two roadcrusing through salt marsh, and both were DOR. I've had the most success by hiking through salt marsh at dusk but only when dusk and low tide coincide. I still don't find very many. In three or four attempts this past summer, I only found one. I think I've caught as many as four in a single night but my usual attempts turn up only a couple. I'll also note that I've found every single one of my live clarkii in a single stretch of salt marsh that is a few hundred yards long. I've released every single one I've found back into this tiny stretch of marsh they live in. My captives were obtained from a WC gravid female who gave birth a few weeks after capture.

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Pierson Hill

Herpetology and Herpetoculture

Thanks for the quick responses, I will make sure to post any success I have in the Alabama/Miss. area. Oh one last question, did anyone notice any seasonality differences in capture success? Just want to up my chances of success as much as possible.

Thanks agian, Gabe

I have only found them during the Summer months but then again, I have only looked for them during the Summer. I don't know what Spring or Fall would yield. If you find any, please post pics! I haven't seen many from your area.
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Pierson Hill

Herpetology and Herpetoculture

No problem...thanks agian. Hopefully I can find a few.

Gabe