Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have heard that snakes are out more during a new moon...but is there a trend as regards to barometric pressure and time of night most are out? Has anyone made a journal of this?

Ps...In case anyone was interested I have noticed coral snakes are out moving within 1 hour of dark, and after it rains. I found 3 in 2 weeks! 2 males and a female. Both males took turns mating with her and then I released them. I'm keeping the female until she lays. She is really pretty and over 3 feet in length. Sure is hard finding ground snakes for her to eat though. She ate a skink today. I'll trade her for a gray-band!

How about a picture or two ?

OK. Here's a picture of the first male fornicating with her...

Picture of the second male. This may look foolish, but I have held all 3 corals previously with gloves and none attempted to bite or act aggressive in the least and are in fact very docile and calm after just a couple handlings. Riding a motorcycle without a helmet or unprotected sex is much more risky if you ask me (albeit a tad more exciting perhaps). Still, not a recommeded handling technique just in case. Disclaimer: always wear gloves with any venomous species.

Can and do happen. I know personally of several victims of coral bites. No walk through the park. I wouldn't recomend that even if the snake was put in the ice box for 10 minutes.
Remember 80 to 90 percent of venomous bites happen by those attemptimg to handle the snake. I'm sure you've heard this all before but I have to say something otherwise the little guy on my shoulder would get pissed.

Congrats on the findings...

Steve O

Yeah I would give the same warning as you. I would never even consider holding a crotalus, copperhead, cottonmouth, etc. that way. They tend to strike and have a temper. Once corals are out of "capture mode" response, and they get used to you, they have very gentle dispositions though. I don't really handle her anymore...strictly a beautiful visual specimen. Well, one last time with gloves to demonstrate a responsible handling technique:
(isn't she an exeptional specimen in both size and color?)

Sorry for the diversion...now back to alteras!!!

Maybe for corals, but those gloves wouldn't offer much protection from an adult pit viper.

Nice corals; I didn't realize they got that big.
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MichaelB

Thank you very much for the Coarl snake photos "happycamper " for I know that it takes time to do all that and at this time of year when we could be out looking for snakes time is of even more value. So again I thank you .

No problem. I had the first 2 pictures already taken. I have been so blessed so far about snakes finding ME this year! I found an earth snake and rough green in my front yard, a coral, patch-nosed and Texas brown snake in the back yard and a huge ratsnake in the middle of the road on my way to the store last week! Also found 2 checkered garters, baby blotched water, blindsnake and baby whipsnake while actually looking. But the most exciting so far was an indigo I rescued off the road (and released) north of Hondo, Tx 2 weeks ago! And I DO mean rescue: I had already pulled over and a truck was straddling the lanes and aiming for the snake's head. I jumped in the road and was waving my arms and shaking my head. He straightened out just in time to barely miss smashing it!

"Save a snake, skin a redneck"

Very pretty snakes. Are they very secretive more so than most snakes?
I dont much about them but thought though venemous were shy,secretive snakes.
Lia