Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I will be going to Florida this spring and hope to find a Diamondback. I will be staying in the Gainsville area .I am only interested in photography.Any information as to were good areas to search might be will be greatly appreciated.

Carlo

Carlo....

Eastern Diamondbacks are truly impressive animals, worthy of much photographic attention. While I cannot be of much help to you in the "where do I find them?" department, (alas, they do not occur as far west as Az) I would recommend purchasing a field guide (there are some good ones out there) that discusses the habitats in which these animals occur. Hopefully, if your stated purpose is genuine (you can never be too careful these days) someone can help you out with specific locations to view and photograph...I think you'll also find that there are many other very interesting reptilian and amphibian animals that also share C. adamanteus' habitat and are also worthy of the camera....

Good luck

-Kris

Thanks Kris,I am a geniune herp photographer, and I understand about poachers. It is nice to know that many people are protective of reptiles, however it does get frustrating when you want to see these wonderful animals and photograph them but can't get solid information as to where you can find them. The last time I visited Arizona was three years ago, and I asked for help several times on different herp sites, but no one responded. I still had a great trip and found a patch-nose snake and a whipsnake, but was denied my goal of photographing a western daimonback or mojave rattlesnake. Thanks again for your response, and I hope you're correct and that I will find someone that will help me find a daimondback in Florida.
Thanks,
Carlo

Well, worst case scenario....next time you're out here in Az, if ya can't find any Mojaves, you can photograph mine! I doubt that tho....Hit this place at the right time of year, and both atrox and scutulatus are not (in ANY sense of the words!) "hard to find".......

-Kris

Thanks, Kris I may take you up on that offer someday.

Sincerely , Carlo

I have the same problem. I cannot seem to find any snakes outside of my immediate area. Nobody wants to help me, and I just want to get out there and see them. Im not taking any more long distance trips to find herps because I dont have much luck locating them.

On another note, I can help you find mojaves in California. We dont have diamondbacks, but we have some gorgeous mojaves.

Thank you metalpest, and thank you for your offer. I am interested. Let me tell you something about myself. I live in Santa Rosa, California, I make a living as a fly fishing guide and also enjoy photographing reptiles. I am very interested in meeting other people interested in reptiles that can show me where these animals live so I can do my photography. In return I would be willing to show people the reptiles that live in my area. If this is something you are interested in please let me know and possibly we can work something out this next spring or summer. Carlo

I have only seen our local wildlife. Im looking to find the following for photographs as well:

Red Diamond rattlesnakes
Sidewinders
a big Southern Pacific
Speckled/Panamint rattlers
Lyre snake
Rosy Boa
Night snake
Leaf-nose
Cal red-side garter

Drop me an email or something so we have contact info next spring.

I have sent an email to you before metalpest but you never replied. I am in Orange County and can help you find all those species in a day or two even now. You can find a red and southern in the same place within a couple of hours from where you live in the high desert. In the last two weeks I have seen around six or seven mojaves, a giant southern, and a billion gopher snakes. I know of places where Reds are as common as oxygen so if you really want to see some drop me an email. The mojaves are still out (as Im sure you know) I saw three on the night of the first.

Medalpest,I will stay in touch. Are you interested in Great basin rattlesnakes,long nosesnakes,Northern Pacific Rattlers, Horny Toads,Calif Mountain King snakes,Collared Lizards,Leopard Lizards? I have A great location for for these herps. My dream wish list Includes #1 Eastern Diamondback #2 Mojave rattlesnake #3Western Diamondback And a Gila Monster.

Carlo

I know I can help with mojaves. We have nice green ones as you saw in the pic. Ive seen one longnose adult and several babies, Id like to see more. And yes, mountain kings, I forgot that one. This area you speak of doesnt have any cal red side garters?

Metalpest, The area is About a four hour drive from my home,and it does not have Red sided gartners,however I have them in my back yard!The Mountain Kings are only a half hour away.

Carlo

I went on vacation in the FL everglades and found all kinds of reptiles and mammals. Some that I have never seen in real life,PUMA. If you go to Fl go to gator ally and take the exit for everglades city. Drive till you see a dirt road on your left and go road crusing. Dusk and dawn is the best time, cottonmouths, copperheads, pigmy rattlers, black snake, gator, a puma family as well as birds and other photographic material. Just watch out for the bugs if you go in the summer.

On dirt roads at night. Try not to run over anything.

in the palmettos

Near ponds and marshes just above the riparian vegetation. Look for small rodent trails in the brush.

I'd try going out in the state parks or Ocala Nat'l Forest.

Carlo,
Drop me an email. I live here in Gainesville and the Adamanteus have been crawling good for the past month. I recently saw a DOR 2 days ago out herping. Do not drive the roads at night for EDB's, they are diurnal and I and many people that keep and herp for them have never seen one at night. Morning-late afternoon is prime Diamondback time here in FL.

Joe

Joe, Thanks for the response.I will most likely be in Gainsville sometime In Mid April. Is this a good time to see adamanteus? I was in Giansville Two years ago and found a huge Florida Cottonmouth near Pains Creek.Last April I was on The South Carolina/Georgia border and I found a six foot Burmese Python On the Road! Someones lost or set Free pet. Joe I would like to continue to stay in contact with regarding coming to Florida next Spring.Im not sure on how to get your private E-mail, or threw this site.Please reply.

Sincerely, Carlo

Its one of those situation where I do happen to know somewhere that you might see them but I cannot (will not) tell you where because its not "my territory" so to speak. If you want to have a challenge, try to set up a time when you can buy one from someone and see their other snakes. HA! You may as well be asking them to cut off their own leg and give it to you! I was fortunate to see someone's eastern diamondback. It was all you picture it to be and more.

good luck!
:Mark

Mark ,hurt me ! Thats what Im looking for. I will be in Florida for only three days this coming April . What are my chances?

Carlo

You can do it! You'll be in a good area, I'd say.
:Mark

happy herping!
:Mark

I live in Gainesville and I could take you to some locations where we have collected our breeding stock. It is absolutely loaded with them. We found nine adult roadkills in one day on a 16 mile stretch of road, BTW don't bother with the Ocala national forest, I haven't seen one there in about 4 years (too many deerhunters). You can contact me directly at marnold35@cox.net. Mickey