Reptile & Amphibian Forums

can some explain to me the ideal weather conditinos for collecting alterna, and why those conditions affect alterna's movement.
thanks,
eliot
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1.0 Hypo Corn Het. for Amber
0.1 Spotted Python
and always looking for more!

it depends on whether or not you are field herping or burning cuts.
it looks like the alterna field herpers have hit the forum again. its a shame that something so trivial as field herping (not 4 letter words mind you) is so severely looked upon. it makes the moderators look foolish. the word field herping has become a common word used with looking for herps in the field. if you arent collecting you cant use the words field collecting you go to the word FIELD HERPING that covers everything you do looking for herps in the field

n/p
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1.0 Hypo Corn Het. for Amber
0.1 Spotted Python
and always looking for more!

That’s a loaded question in that you will get 10 different answers from 10 different people. I "think" that the generally agreed upon conditions are;
1.) The less moon the better (Full Moon Showing=USUALLY NOT good)
2.) Recent rain or at least moister under rocks is good
After these two conditions, things start getting a little opinionated.
1.) Some like a rising Barometer
2.) Some like a little breeze from out of the East
3.) Some say they don't like "Hot Rocks" (ones that have been heated too much during the day) and some carry thermostats to check this.
4.) Some like approaching storms but not during or after - I've seen this produce other spps. very well on the river road when the storm is coming out of Mex.

There are a few other conditions I've heard described as good or bad over the years. I've heard more than one person say that if there are lots of Tarantulas out, then the alterna won't be moving; who knows? I think it all boils down to what conditions existed when Joe blow found his alterna. He will henceforth describe those conditions as "good".
I'll say this though; I've been out on a pitch black night with recent rain (3 days prior) during breeding season, with a slight breeze and a rising barometer and NOTHING was moving. Then on what I thought would be a horrible night turns out to be a pretty good night. The only consistent thing for me has been full moons. I hardly ever go when there is a full moon showing. I have had very good luck on full moon nights right before the moon came up though. I know of people that have found alterna during what is generally accepted as bad conditions. So I guess snake hunting is like fishing, JUST GO if you get the chance and enjoy the solitude. If I remember correctly, you said you lived in Brackett so alterna country is just a short drive from your house like it is from mine. Have fun.......

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Snakes of Hudspeth County, Texas

what conditions existed when Joe blow found

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

Ooops, my bad....
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Snakes of Hudspeth County, Texas

>>Ooops, my bad....

I hope a smiley was implied, 'cuz it was on my reply!

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

smiley's are always implied in my posts...

Take Care, JPenney

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Snakes of Hudspeth County, Texas