Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Sometime in the future I would like to travel to the U.S. (from Sweden) and do some herping in Arizona. I am particulary fascinated with rattlesnakes and would like to get all the input I can on the subject. Favorite places to go? What rattlesnake species (and other snakes )have you observed, and where? When is the best time of year to go? Any and all information is very welcomed.

Cheers,
Mats

Hello Mats:

I live part time in Tucson, AZ. The best time is in July/ August when they are moving by night. I do have to say that anytime between April & October is generally good, if you know where to go and at what time of day. With in 1 to 1.5 hrs by car from Tucson you can find six..maybe 7 species of rattlesnake, plus lots of other reptiles.

If you plan a trip let me know and maybe we can go together, best if you have a guide, plus I have an excuse to go out herping.

Cheers!

Al
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Save a Rattlesnake...Skin a Sweetwater Resident!

Al, I may be headed down to Tucson to look at some land this coming week, might head to the SR's and Tucson Mts, care to hook up?
Lat

Hi Lat:

I was there last week but currently on the East Coast at my companies HQ. Last week I had not luck...too cool, so cool I didn't even see any lizards running around.

I was planning to hit some spots at the end of May....when I know it will be HOT!

Al
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Save a Rattlesnake...Skin a Sweetwater Resident!

Thanks for the info. I will definitly not go this spring/summer, because it's too soon. At the very best, I can go in September/October (depends on how this years breeding season goes). Hopefully I will find some friends here that are interested in joining, but if you like to join us too (guide us ) that would be great.
I would love to see C. lepidus, C. molossus, C. cerastes and maybe even C. pricei and C. willardi. Any idea on how easy/hard it would be to find any/all of those? I mean, how common are they within the range and how difficult is it to herp their respective habitats?
Of course, other Crotalus species would also be great to see but these are my favorites
By the way, I found the list of possible species within "The 100 mile circle" at: http://tucsonherpsociety.org/circanim.html

-- Mats --

Hi Mats:

Please don't take this personal..it's just the way I have always treated this topic.

I know where to find them all, however, it's just that some of them are very rare ( C. willardi) and I promised the Biologists studying the populations not to disclose the locations. Although they are protected by State law people still illegally collect them because they bring a BIG price.

The less people know where to find them the safer they are.

The some of the others (8 species) are in greater numbers and easier to find right in Tucson. No big deal about their locations, they're city dwellers...living the easy life.

Cheers!
Al
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Save a Rattlesnake...Skin a Sweetwater Resident!

I don't take it personally, and I do agree with the policy of not spreading the locations of some rare species. It would certainly be a thrill and a memorable experience to see any rattlesnake species in the wild, regardless of it's rarity.

-- Mats --