Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I live in Alabama and was wondering since I do not have alot of luck road cruising if anyone has any pointers.
1. Like the time of night or day.
2. Do you have better luck on paved surfaces or dirt roads.

Any comments on the topic of road cruising would be appreciated.
Please help out this southern boy.

As a general rule in my area of FL, we try and hit our "spots" just before dusk and cruise them for a few hrs after. I have found scarlet kings as late as midnight, but only a few. Corns are almost always at the hrs around dusk. Yellow rats are earlier in the day and sometimes early in the morning. Try any roads in an area known for your target species and sooner or later you will see what you're looking for. Be prepared for plenty of dor.
Of course in your area you may have to adjust for particular species.
:Mark

i would like to add that road cruising in the dirt and finding snakes is all by (CHANCE).The asphalt or pavement will draw reptiles to the warmth after the night cools down . IMO you can keep cruising as long as the pavement is warmer than the outside temps.

good luck
jason

Wish I knew the secret! I've never been able to figure it out, myself. Dusk seems to be the concensus but it really depends on the species your after. We went after rubber boas last year. We had to wait until the campfire burned down and everyone was ready for bed before we even started looking. Then there was basically only a 2 hour window when they were out.

most people agree that road cruising at night in certain geographical areas of the U. S. is more productive than others? I have road cruise in Mo. , Ks. , Ala. , Miss. , Florida , Ark. , Ok. , Texas, NM. . The desert areas of the southwest has ALWAYS produced more herps at road cruising than the mid-west and southeast. Because of the very fact that one poster pointed out of the believe of the reptiles being opportunist in the form of seeking heat on pavement when temps cool down. Of coarse only so many herps will be in an area/arena to take advantage of this assumption but it has always been true for me. Only one factor has been common in relevance of both scenarios of the geographical syndrome and that is rain. Before and sometimes after of rain I have seen just about as many numbers no matter where I was.

Thanks for all the comments on this subject....
Please keep them coming. I think this is a good topic and would like to hear everyones opinion.

thanks again

...don't forget to check the lagalities of road cruising in the particular spot you choose. Remember that most if not all parks are off limits, some even for pics at night.
Be careful and check local laws.
:Mark

Go to Dauphin Island and let me know if you see any Indigos!!
I lived there until 1981 and used to see them occasionally.
1. the SE IMO sees more diurnal action, hunt in the mornings and at dusk, go out at night when the temps are right and you are going to get some warm rains, immediately after a storm has been VERY productive for me in AL. and Fl. no matter what time of day it is.
2. Paved roads in remote areas when in the spring and fall are probably better, your temps are not as drastic as ours here in the SW during the summer. Dirt roads are good too, never underestimate a dirt road in the right habitat.

Night...paved...south Texas...but depends on species you want to find...it's all good, though!
Hey Crimson King, what's up?
Todd