Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello So. Calif.Herpers and Herpers in general,
Does anyone think there might be any So Cal snakes out this weekend? Boas, ect. It is still cool after the rain we just had but will be in the upper 60's this weekend.I have seen quite a few Lizards out allready so in my experience.

I believe there could be a couple thirsty and hungry juvies out.
Rosy's, Ringnecks, Gopher, Kings ect.

Your Opinions ?

Tony

If the temp gets above 65 degrees this weekend I think I'll make a few loops around caliente canyon outside of Bakersfield. I generally will see gopher snakes out first around that area.

Terry Parks

Just went for a hike on the hill behind my house in the San Diego area. There were several small lizards (nothing special) and one baby Gopher Snake flatened out catching rays between two rocks. Of course I did not have the camera at the moment. Ground was still very wet and the temps on the patio were 58 deg. The rocks that were exposed to the sun all felt warm to the touch though.
Good luck hunting,
Rick

That's great Rick. I'll have to make sure I take the camera when I go. I'm hoping to collect a female for this male pacific gopher I collected last year.

Terry Parks

-----
Terry Parks

How about SoCal amphibians, anyone seen any salamanders or frogs crawling about? I have yet to come across snakes, but I have recently encountered Ensatina, San Gabriel Mountain Slender Salamanders, Black-bellied Slender Salamanders, California Toad, Pacific Treefrogs, Side-blotched Lizards, and Western Fence Lizards.

Terry, after exploring Caliente Cyn, it would be interesting to hear what salamanders and frog you came across.

Will

Hi Will -
I'll take the camera and post pics if I see any reptiles and/or amphibians. A friend has seen severalsalamanders. I've seen banded geckos too.

Terry Parks

>>How about SoCal amphibians, anyone seen any salamanders or frogs crawling about? I have yet to come across snakes, but I have recently encountered Ensatina, San Gabriel Mountain Slender Salamanders, Black-bellied Slender Salamanders, California Toad, Pacific Treefrogs, Side-blotched Lizards, and Western Fence Lizards.
>>
>>Terry, after exploring Caliente Cyn, it would be interesting to hear what salamanders and frog you came across.
>>
>>Will

I've seen banded geckos too.

Aargh, that was my target species, and though Jan was a little early, I was just happy to see ANYTHING!

I'm always looking for females for my males. I'm not a CA resident, so I only occasionally make it out that way.
-----
Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

Hi Chris -
I had a pair of banded last year that I split up and donated. My partner has a California Native Reptile and Amphibian Propagation Permit for a couple species of snakes. He has a permit for commercial and noncommercial possession and breeding of Pacific Gopher snakes, Grteat Basin Gopher snakes, and rosy boas. I don't see banded geckos on the list for a commercial permit, but I think I could apply for a noncommercial one. My wife breeds leopard and madagascar geckos.
There's a little loop on the Caliente Canyon run I make that I can usually see a couple banded geckos. Of course, I won't see anymore after saying that. LOL. I'll check the regulations again and see how we might be able to help you get a few more females. I can donate most native reptiles and amphibians provided they aren't on the California prohibited list and any Federal Protected lists. I don't think they are on either, but let me check again.

Terry Parks

>>I've seen banded geckos too.
>>
>>Aargh, that was my target species, and though Jan was a little early, I was just happy to see ANYTHING!
>>
>>I'm always looking for females for my males. I'm not a CA resident, so I only occasionally make it out that way.
>>-----
>>Chris McMartin
>>www.mcmartinville.com
>>I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

won't see anymore after saying that. LOL. I'll check the regulations again and see how we might be able to help you get a few more females. I can donate most native reptiles and amphibians provided they aren't on the California prohibited list and any Federal Protected lists. I don't think they are on either, but let me check again.

That's pretty much what I had in mind, but didn't want to impose. I can't BUY them from people, but people can GIVE them to me (as how I acquired what I have now).

I'm primarily interested in abbotti, which is listed as a Species of Special Concern in CA, primarily due to its range being restricted to SoCal; but I couldn't find anything restricting its being collected other than I think there are a couple of places which are closed season year-round (defined by interstates and highways).

I post this here vs. sending a private email because I want everything to be above-the-board and in compliance with applicable laws, and I want someone to be able to vouch for me if the Federales ever show up at my door based on faulty intel!

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

You aren't imposing at all Chris -
There are some areas ijn California where collecting is either restricted or prohibited. You can't collect in any state or federal parks. There's some counties in California where some native species are not allowed to be collected. You can't collect certain species in San Deigo county for example.

Terry Parks

>>won't see anymore after saying that. LOL. I'll check the regulations again and see how we might be able to help you get a few more females. I can donate most native reptiles and amphibians provided they aren't on the California prohibited list and any Federal Protected lists. I don't think they are on either, but let me check again.
>>
>>That's pretty much what I had in mind, but didn't want to impose. I can't BUY them from people, but people can GIVE them to me (as how I acquired what I have now).
>>
>>I'm primarily interested in abbotti, which is listed as a Species of Special Concern in CA, primarily due to its range being restricted to SoCal; but I couldn't find anything restricting its being collected other than I think there are a couple of places which are closed season year-round (defined by interstates and highways).
>>
>>I post this here vs. sending a private email because I want everything to be above-the-board and in compliance with applicable laws, and I want someone to be able to vouch for me if the Federales ever show up at my door based on faulty intel!
>>
>>-----
>>Chris McMartin
>>www.mcmartinville.com
>>I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

Will,
Last weekend I found two Slender Salamanders in the same rock pile.
I'll let you know how it goes as far as the Ampibians this weekend.

Tony L.

Hey Tony,
I went out two weeks ago when it was close to 70 out to one of my favorite spots in the Santa Monica Mts that usually turns up plenty of SoPac rattlesnakes, gophers, and ringnecks. I came away with lots of alligator lizards and not one snake. Let me know if you do turn anything up though. I'm anxious to get out!!

John

P.S.- Where are you in SoCal? I'm in Burbank.

Hey Yani,
Thanks for the reply. I will let everyone know about this weekend. I live in Huntington Beach. I take my JEEP out and go herping as often as I can.

This weekend I will venture out to a couple of spots in riverside county.

Tony

I posted my report on That Other Site with my findings from 9-10 January. (gophers and kings, plus a few lizard species). Here's a couple of pics:

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

Nice pics Chris -
They give me the itch to go already. Here's a glossy snake from last year.

Terry

Terry:

I have a question for you concerning glossy snakes near Bakersfield, related to a project I am working on. Would you mind sending me an email (rwh13@csufresno.edu) or post your email address here and I'll contact you. Many thanks in advance.

Regard,

Bob Hansen

Yes thanks Chris,
I read your post on that other site.Thanks for the pics.
I have been Herping for many years and have found and documented my findings, temps and times spiecies ect.
I found reptiles and amphibians all months of the year.

I am just asking for opinions of fellow herpers to see what there opinions on the weather temps, Clarity of the sky,Ground temps and moisture ect.
To mainly further educate fieldherpers like us all.

Tony

>>I have been Herping for many years

With a screen name like SoCal Herper, I FIGURED you knew what you were doing, which is why I questioned why you'd need help!

Me, on the other hand--I just try my luck and see if anything shows up; a lot like the way I fish!
-----
Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

Cool Chris,

If you ever come this way look me up I'll be happy to take you for a hike or to some nice locations for herps.

Tony

a
-----
Andy Maddox
AIM: SurfAndSkimTx04
MSN: Poloboy32486@hotmail.com
Yahoo:surfandskimtx04
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

Half the fun is throwing a line in and seeing what comes up! Especially in the ocean.

At the risk of diverging even further off-topic,click here for some of my fishing pics (by no means all-inclusive), click here and scroll towards the bottom for the biggest one I've caught yet.
-----
Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

1 Rosy
3 Cal Kings
5 Gopher snakes
15 Helleri (so pacific Rattlesnakes)
1 Red Diamondback (Ruber)
3 Ringneck Snakes

1 Legless lizard
TMTC Alligator lizards, skinks, Uta's, and fence lizards.

Yes there are animals to be found.... You will have to look hard though.. Good Luck

Fundad

That's a nice list Fundad. I love seeing rubers. They are really nice looking snakes.

Terry Parks

>>1 Rosy
>>3 Cal Kings
>>5 Gopher snakes
>>15 Helleri (so pacific Rattlesnakes)
>>1 Red Diamondback (Ruber)
>>3 Ringneck Snakes
>>
>>1 Legless lizard
>>TMTC Alligator lizards, skinks, Uta's, and fence lizards.
>>
>>
>>Yes there are animals to be found.... You will have to look hard though.. Good Luck
>>
>>Fundad

Very Nice...

This weekend should be fun... Clear and in the 70's all over So.Cal.
I'll post my sightings

Tony