Reptile & Amphibian Forums

When “night-driving” what are better conditions, New moon or some moon (e.g. half moon)? During a FULL moon, I seldom find snakes on roads. Therefore, I am thinking no moon is best. However, do some snakes need at least a little light to see where they are going? In addition, if snakes are more active during New moon phase, than wouldn’t smaller snakes wanting to avoid being eaten by the larger snakes, avoid being active during the New Moon?

Mammals/owls need some moon to see, so it is obvious that they have a harder time hunting during new moon phases. Thus, snakes wanting to avoid being eaten by mammals/birds are more active during new moon phase.

Pit vipers (Rattlesnakes) need no light to hunt, because they have heat-sensing pits. Therefore, total darkness of the New moon phases is preferred.

However, how about the smaller snakes that do not possess heat sensing pits. Black-headed snakes for example, they do not have pits and are vulnerable of being eaten by larger snake that are active during new moon phase. Wouldn’t it be an advantage for them to be active during a half-moon phase rather than FULL or NEW moon phase? Thus, small snakes wanting to avoid mammals/birds during the full moon, and larger snakes during the new moon phase, would prefer to be active during around a half moon phase.

I am interested in theories or opinion regarding what moon phase would is best to find small snakes on roads.

Note: It is understood that mammals/birds are active during all phases of the moon, im simply stating that they have harder time hunting during new moon phase. The same can be said for large snakes, they too are active during all phases of the moon. I’m just saying that they are more active during new moon phase.

I am of the belief that the first 2 weeks of a new moon phase is the preferred time to be out looking for reptiles (and other wildlife) day or night. In my experience they are more active and more abundant, could it be the gravitational pull from our moon, lighting, or some ecological factor we cannot experience from our perspective?
In the 70's I could drive across the Tamiami trail, where I grew up, and see snakes galore during this phase of the moon. As the cycle edged closer to full the contacts with wildlife decreased rapidly. Likewise with hunting hammocks and the glades on foot.
Out here in the CA desert 22 years later its the same scenario, although I have found some spectacular Crotalus during a full moon both here and in AZ, both were infrequent exceptions to the "rule" Carl Kauffeld mentions the capture of a Tiger rattlesnake during a bright full moon by one of his colleagues, so who knows. Meanwhile I save gas and wear on my boots by only searching during the the fortnight following a full moon.
Cheers
Lateralis

What moon phase is best for finding Black-headed Snakes?