Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A pretty basic question probably....

It's hot here in PA right now and I haven't been finding very much. I know that spring is generally the best time for herping, but does it pick up in Fall as well once the temps start to cool down?

trpnbils,
I thought by now someone from your region would have provided some input.

I am from Oregon and know that on the west coast, generally speaking there are two major periods in which species of snakes are more readily available under surface cover objects during daylight hours.

The spring is by far the best and longest season. Here in western Oregon, I begin going afield any time temperatures reach about 55 degrees F. and above for three days and with some sunshine. We usually get such conditions starting sometime in Feb. But ideal collecting conditions usually occur from about mid March through early to mid June. Further south in central to S. Calif., the spring season begins earlier and ends sooner than here in Oregon. Once it get warm to hot and dry, finding specimens during the day gets tougher and tougher.

The second season in the fall is much shorter. We have very seasonal weather on the west coast with much of June through Sept. being very dry and warm to hot and dry. Once Pacific storms begin to occur either in mid to late Sept. or early Oct., cloud cover occurs with some rain and temperatures cool down, the second season occurs. Depending on when the clouds, rain, and cool temperatures begin determines just how long the fall season lasts which can be as short as a month or as long as two months.

If in PA you frequently get summer rains, I suspect that the pattern of snake behavior would be different from here on the west coast. Thus, during stormy conditions in mid summer when there is considerable cloud cover and some rain, even though temperatures may be mildly warm, I suspect that various species of snakes would be active and available under surface cover objects. Just my best guess. Sorry that others from your region with experience have not responded.

Richard F. Hoyer

Richard, thanks for your reply. Half the time when I post on Kingsnake, I don't get any replies at all, which is why I don't put much confidence in this forum as a whole. For example, I put the same question on two other forums (with much less activity than this one) and got 5 replies in the amount of time it took to get one on here.

A note from south Texas, the heat is intense starting as ealy as mid march and that is one of the best times here. Fall is also good for juveniles. The heat turns many snakes crepuscular or downright nocturnal, although a lot are not considered nocturnal.
I hope someone from your neck of the woods replies, as this could be one of the best forums. Most of the other forums deal with C.B. animals.
Todd Hughes