Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got "Texas Snakes" by John E. Werler and James Dixon. It is a textbook size 437 pg. hardcover and full of great info on all Texas snakes. Anyone wishing to add to their library a great snake text should look into this one. My only complaint was that it didn't really give captive care tips, but one should be able to figure that out after learning the habitat, behaviour and diet of species which is covered quite well. Great work authors! It has 10 different pics of alterna variations by the way...

I have that book as well. Several years ago Lance and I were on the river road and we stayed in a room next to Coach from NY.
He showed me the book and I was almost embarrased that I didn't have that particular book. Being a Texas Resident and Native I went out and purchased it first chance. It really is a good book.

Take Care,

Steven Owens

I'm curious as to who D. Miller is, the individual referenced in this book who is recorded as having collected 85 alterna within a 9 mile radius of Langtry (pg. 150)!!! :0

ps...Funny you mention the name Lance in your post, that is my name as well.

Dennie Miller is the person. Former collector, Sul Ross student/graduate and director of the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute. A real good guy and part of Lampropeltis alterna history in the Trans-Pecos.

http://www.kingsnake.com/alterna/alterpap.html

I had read his thesis (see above link) long ago but forgot the author's name (or didn't really pay attention to be quite honest). I just went back and read it again...that was some good research!

You would know Bob. R. Haase was there way back in the 70's and 80's when D. Miller was doing his study. He is one of the OLD TIMERS.(OLD GOATS)
Hope to hear from you soon Bob.
Later
Rick

Oh now here we go with the old goat calling again!!

I thought you were the old goat Rick!!

Hey Hugh. I am just one of many. To see another, look in the mirror.
Later Bud
Rick

HA!!! too funny. I am getting so old I see a couple of old timers in the mirror (when I can find it!!!).

I remember the first time I saw the thesis. Tully Farley allowed me to borrow his to make a copy. I must have read it over 50 times the first year I was out. Trying to figure out what works best, what factors are important, what areas were good. Reading the thesis was almost like getting a snapshot to what it was like hunting alterna in the 70s. It must have been amazing. Dealing with less eficient cars, lights that are nothing compared to the 3 million candle power job today. Not many places to stay. Overheating all the time. The animals may be less common now but I am sure it is much easier to hunt these days.

Thanks D. Miller for such a great thesis paper.

Take Care,

Steven Owens

that i bought 2 dozen to resale. I tried to meet up with Mr. Miller at Sul Ross but got stuck viewing the pickled collection instead ( he was out of town ) so I bought about 12 tee shirts ( remember those with the alterna on them ) and some ball caps with the same Chihuahuan logo. On the earliest visit down, we had to stay in the Calvary Post in Lajitas and sign in for dinner because everything had to be taken out of the freezer except for a little produce that the south of the border residents traded. I don't know if our cars were any more dependable than the are now. We never had problems with our 60 or early 70ties vehicles. But think of the gas price with only 2 gas places around ( well what, 3 now ) down in the 170 area. I remember 47 cents per gallon and of course that was HIGH for that area ! At Lajitas i remember a land office that in the early days also sold liquore, the Calvary Post ( later the first place setting of the " NEW " Easter Egg motel at the junction of 118 and 170) and the old Lajitas trading post store. Also a very few businesses on 118 going toward the Park entrance : the Study Butte store, the old rock shop, a church. Hey, I know someone out there that was down there before me. Probably a couple names I can think of.............