Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have studied herps for about 37 years. I am not interested in collecting anymore, just photography. I am in the Yucatan (Cozumel) for a few days, and have a rental car to explore, probably in western Quintana Roo, and very southeastern Campache states. I´ve never done this on my own and wonder if it is relatively safe or if there are certain roads or situations I should avoid - very isolated areas - because of problems with ´´banditos´´ or other hazards. I will be driving slowly partly to spot the herps but also to avoid potholes, animals, broken down cars, etc. Lonely Planet says to not drive at night, especially in isolated areas. Is this more fear than reality, with low odds of a problem? I know of many people who have gone to isolated areas without problems, but I am out of touch with them now. I am not fluent in Spanish but can communicate reasonably well.

Any hints or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

herpetone

I have road hunted all over Mexico, except in the Yucatan. Generally the problem with roadhunting in Mexico isn't banditos - the problem is finding a quiet enough road!

Look for a paved road that doesn't really go to any major city/attraction. Then check it out to see what the habitat looks like. If you can find a road that parallels a "better" road going to the same general spot, those roads are sometimes quiet. Roads in the coastal lowlands are more productive than those in the mountains (not that there are any mts. on the northern Yucatan platform).

I find that roadhunting is better on roads that run between areas of "natural" habitat (forest, marsh, etc) on one side and agricultural areas (pastureland is better than a cornfield) on the other. Not always easy to find, but if you can, they can be good.

Be very careful of two things -
1. there are people everywhere, even walking along the quietest out-of-the-way roads.

2. cattle and other farm animals are allowed to roam free and often sleep on the roads at night.

I would avoid areas near the major tourist traps (ruins, beaches) as petty thieves and the like tend to work quiet fringes of those places.

Be patient - this isn't like roadhunting the desert. You won't see a lot of anything (except frogs), but if you keep looking, you might encounter some neat stuff!
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Chris Harrison

chrish,

Thanks for the info! I found a great road to Calakmul, a Mayan ruin area near Guatemala. When I drove it at night there was absolutely no traffic on it, which meant no road-kill. A night driver's dream! This toll road dead ends at the ruins, which are much less visited than most of the ruins in the Yucatan. I think that this is why it is less traveled. Most of this road goes through a biosphere reserve, so I didn't pick up any of the snakes that I saw. I just photographed them where I saw them. I did have to move a Phrynohyas that jumped under my tire, but that was on the main highway away from the reserve. No problems with banditos either.

Herpetone

I have spent alot of time in the Yucatan, mainly around Coba which is a large set of ruins southwest of Coz. The road to the ruins runs due west from the coastal road (you cant miss the signs)its a single lane blacktop that runs through the jungle, its relatively quiet (not many locals have cars out there)and runs through excellent habitat. Ive seen Cribos (10feet)corals, boas, and numerous colubrids on this road not to mention all kinds of insects, tarantulas and the like. If it has not been built up too much than you will see animals there, once you get to Coba stop at the lake and you can find crocs, turtles etc...Driving at night could be alittle hairy if you run into the wrong folks but its unlikely as the farther you get from the tourist areas the more friendly the people become. It is a GREAT place to herp, post any pics you get and take a shot of the road, I'd like to see what it looks like again!
CHeers
Brett

lateralis,

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I didn't have enough time to go to the Coba area. I did go to Calakmul near the Guatemalan border and saw some cool stuff for the short time I was there. The Highlight for me was a large Coral Snake, that was too fast for me to get a picture. I also saw a Dipsas that was brightly colored. Non herps were a Tayra, and some beautiful toucans, along with the impressive pyramids. I was hoping to find Triprion, and may have heard them (duck-sheep like calls), but am only guessing. Unfortunately, it didn't rain much at night. I will try to get some pics up soon.

Herpetone