Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just recently started field herping in my area ( northern WV ) and I am having a hard time finding snakes. I have found several species of frogs, newts, and turtles but no snakes. I came across a huge common snapper and some water turtles that I think were some kind of slider, I havn't had time to consult my field guide yet. Not far from my home is some nice water holes that I found red spotted newts and 2 or 3 species of frogs mating a few weeks ago. After checking on them a couple times a week I have got to see the tadpoles hatch and start to grow.

When I look up a field guide for my area it says that I might find Eastern Hognoses among other snakes. This is the one that I am most interested in. I just don't know when to look or in what kind of area they might be. I would also like to find a box turtle but I know that their numbers are dwindling in my area. Any suggestions would be appriciated.
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Thanks Dawn
1.1 Veiled (Moe and Isis)
0.1 Helmeted Iguana (Louie)
0.1 Southern Toad (Tiny)
1.1 Bearded Dragon (Joker and Jewel)
1.0 Rescued Adult Iguana (Gomez)
0.0.1 Water Dragon (Igor)
0.0.2 Crested Gecko (Lollipop and Bubblegum)
1.0 Boxer mix (Tucker the reptile guard dog)
3.1 Cats (Buffy, Spike, London, and Lilly)

Dawn,

You have set yourself a challenge in finding an eastern hognosed snake. They aren't rare, but they aren't found under trash, etc. like other species.

At this time of year, snake finding ought to be reaching its peak in your area. Try finding areas at the edges of towns where people dump trash. Abandoned and crumbling homesteads with lots of piles of tin and wood are good as well. Try flipping tin/boards in these areas and you will find some snakes.

Hogs are more often found out and about crawling. Look for a relatively sandy open area, surrounded by woodlands. Then try driving/riding/walking quiet dirt/sand roads in these areas in the mid to late morning.

You should be able to find some snakes, even if they aren't hogs yet.
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Chris Harrison

Chris is correct, but in case you are new to the terminology too, when he says flipping, he means lifting, looking and replacing as you found it. Not actually flipping. I wish we had a better term to use than flipping, it is misleading!

Ya I knew what he ment. I have looked for herps in the wild but usually stear towards the lizards and amphibians and turtles. I just recently got my first snake so naturally this made me curious about what was in my area and I would like to see some in the wild. I even replace animals to their original spot if I occasionally bring one back for identification and I never keep them more than overnight.
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Thanks Dawn
1.1 Veiled (Moe and Isis)
0.1 Helmeted Iguana (Louie)
0.1 Southern Toad (Tiny)
1.1 Bearded Dragon (Joker and Jewel)
1.0 Rescued Adult Iguana (Gomez)
0.0.1 Water Dragon (Igor)
0.0.2 Crested Gecko (Lollipop and Bubblegum)
1.0 Boxer mix (Tucker the reptile guard dog)
3.1 Cats (Buffy, Spike, London, and Lilly)

Thanks at least I know where to start. The area that I go to by my house is quite a mixture or terain. Of course there is the dense trees and water holes but there is also a couple spots that I think have some promise. One area has a couple rock caverns ( i guess that is what you would call them ) cut into a hillside ,one is about 8 feet wide and 2 feet tall and goes back in so far that I can't see where it ends even with a flashlight. The other is similar in height and depth but only about 3 feet wide. Both are lined with rock and have fresh water running down the hill between them. Another area is about the width of a two lane road and is all dirt and rock, it is an old right of way for power lines. Since nobody drives on it anymore it has ravines dug out of it from the rain running off the hill. Some of these ravines are 3-4 feet deep and almost as wide. What do you think do ether of these areas have promise. Yesterday I spotted some junk piles with old refigerators and such so I will have to check them out.
-----
Thanks Dawn
1.1 Veiled (Moe and Isis)
0.1 Helmeted Iguana (Louie)
0.1 Southern Toad (Tiny)
1.1 Bearded Dragon (Joker and Jewel)
1.0 Rescued Adult Iguana (Gomez)
0.0.1 Water Dragon (Igor)
0.0.2 Crested Gecko (Lollipop and Bubblegum)
1.0 Boxer mix (Tucker the reptile guard dog)
3.1 Cats (Buffy, Spike, London, and Lilly)