Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Went out motorcycling and found:

L. z. multifasciata, juvenile.

TMTC Diadophis punctatus, all sizes and color morphs.

TMTC Crotalus virdis, all babies and all crawling out of the same rock pile. Musta been over twenty of 'em scattered out over as many rocks.

Masticophis flagellum, sub-adult--my first for this species.

4 Pittuophis catenifer, all different sizes, one with a major attitude--fake "viper-head" display, hissing, striking repeatedly, tail vibrating. Actually came TOWARD me to bite me on the foot. Figured he was out to impress somebody, maybe a lady snake...

3 L. getulus: one baby coastal (chocolate and vanilla) phase, one large adult coastal, both from Summit Rd. area, one charcoal black and bright white juvenile found on Mt. Hamilton.

1 C. bottae, juvenile.

TMTC Elgaria, Gherronotus (sp?), Batrachoseps, Taricha, Ensatina,
Eumeces, Sceloperus, etc.

Hey there Bay Area Herper: I would love to go out with you sometime, I'm in Livermore and do a little bit of motorcycle herping myself, mostly I do it in my car though but love to do both.

Last year I caught my first (Bay Area local) Longnose and Glossy, since then I've caught a few more. I'm a catch, photo, and release kind of guy. Anyway, if you're interested, give me an email:
Curt
boarat@hotmail.com

So, are we talking on or off road motorcycling??

Strictly on-road.

Interestingly, most of the species were in rock debris at the roadside. This counts for the boa, ringnecks, Mt. Hamilton phase calking, and zonata. No need to trash habitat flipping embedded rocks when the best of the area is within twenty feet of the pavement's centerline. They'd likely be roadkill if it weren't for me...

This isn't to say I don't enjoy tramping through the scrub. After all, herping is but an excuse to get into some truly rough (read: rarely trodden)terrain. Others can go to the gym and PAY to lift heavy stuff. I'll get my muscles stretched (and my neck burned) for free, thank you.

I havent't tried it yet, but I have a feeling that hot weather road cruising will be more enjoyable on two wheels than four.

Regards.

You found a coachwhip??!! Skyline or Hamilton? I've never found one in the Bay Area.