Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone - My family will be joining me in Las Vegas for my 30th birthday. They said they would do whatever I wanted, so I'm making them all go heping with me! What could be more fun than snakes and roulette? My family is actually very "outdoorsie" and will have a great time. I am planning on hiking in the Red Rock Canyon area one day and I wanted to try night driving. I've only been once before and I would love any tips on the area or the technique that anyone has to offer. I think I understand the basics.. temps from 65 - 80, look on the edge of the road, drive slow...etc. I can't really figure out how to stay out of the way of traffic though. I am not familiar with the area at all, so I'd love it if someone knew of some good roads where I wouldn't be making people mad if I were driving slow and stopping all the time.

thanks,

Jake

I also have a huge spot light in my truck - is that frowned upon...shining a big light on the side of the road?

Cool that you want to do some herping in Vegas. We considered it on our last trip there but couldnt get time to do so. We only slept for like 6 hours the whole weekend (jacuzzi suite, that keeps you out of bed). I dont know the area, but I can give you some tips.

When you cruise, you want to hit a secluded road. You will find more snakes and fewer will be roadkills. I pull over whenever cars approach so that I dont get hit. I prefer roads with shoulders to pull over all the way on. Be careful for soft sand on the shoulder, I got stuck once. Long flat straight roads are best, you can see the traffic better and you know there wont be any surprises like you might get going around a turn on a canyon road.

Oh, yeah, have fun!

i will also be in las vegas oct 10-15. i dont know the area at all but if someone could tell me specifically which road to look, i would love to rent a car for the night and road cruise one night, thanks a lot!

www.mcmartinville.com/chris/reptiles/trips/nevada/index.htm

I THINK you need a fishing license in NV to legally pick up herps. I have a link on my site to where the regs WERE at www.mcmartinville.com/chris/reptiles/trips/equip.htm, but I can't seem to get the link to come up right now.

I'm not very well-versed in the area, but even a blind dog finds a bone once in a while, and for this dog the bones have been on the road south into Valley of Fire State Park (link on my site). Be advised, though, that the park is officially closed at night (as Red Rock Canyon may be as well), but the road through the park is a major highway. I got stopped by a ranger once to let me know the park was closed.
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

I drive from Flagstaff to Las Vegas and back four nights a (5:30PM till 6:00 AM)week, and I can just about guarantee you it will be way too cold for snakes after dark, unless we get some kind of crazy heat wave. Nocturnal activity in Southern Nev. is already nil. Last good moon snakes were moving there, this last good moon ( past 2 weeks)things were quite cool and I didn't see a single snake in Nev. Don't want to rain on the parade but I thought you should have some warning. But this way you can have the best of both worlds, herp during the day, enjoy the Las Vegas scene at night!

where during the day? flipping rocks or road cruising? please email me at: wismarzx6e@hotmail.com thx, troy.

I have nver herped in Nevada during the day. But based on what I know of the area N.W. of Kingman, which is vert similar habitat, I would hunt rocky slopes and look for basking herps in late Oct.

I just got back from Vegas on Monday, and I am surprised to see your response. It seemed to be abnormally hot over the weekend (at 3:00 AM it was still above 80). I went driving a little out by Red Rock and saw a bunch of young elegans (not to mention several cerastes). I wasn't out long, but there certainly were snakes out. The temp was about 73-76 near the canyon, while it was over 80 in the city.

Levi

you have to remember last weekend was unusually hot. I'm not trying to be at all negative or discouraging, just telling what I see. I have been doing this four night a week drive for almost 16 years now. Even though I live in Flagstaff I am actually employed in Las Vegas and I also attend a company picnic the last weekend of October every year. I can say the weather is unpredictable and the Mojave desert can be quite chilly. There have been several picnics where everybody had to wear jackets even at mid day, and others were in shorts weather.

Jake,

You may want to check out the "Lizard Catching In Las Vegas" section of my website. I have three years worth of pictures posted. I usually go in the spring, but you should still find stuff.

Tim

Third Eye