Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently returned back to California from Texas. I was there for 10 days (in Belton) on my father-in-law's ranch. I have a three month old daughter, so my hunting time was a little limited.

I did, however, feed her at around 4:30am a few mornings and went out to hike until 8:00am (the coolest part of the day)...I saw nothing.

I waded down streams, I checked the banks of rivers and ponds, I flipped rocks, I chaecked old barns, I went through junnk piles, and I climbed trees...I saw nothing

I spent each day trying to read books about the snakes in the area and figure out how to find them. I even ended up on the phone with one of the hunters for the "rattle snake round ups".

8 days in I was sitting on the porch at around 2:30pm and I decided to walk around the ponds on the property - I finally found a ribbon snake under a rock by the outlet.

This is a pretty common snake I believe, but I have never been more excited to see one! And according to everything I read - this was the worst time of day to be looking. It was about 100 degrees.

I have a pretty good pic of a black widow also...

That's a real pretty ribbon with the red stripe and all. We have them in s. Texas but with a yellow stripe, the Gulf coast ribbon. It is very hot here, and I find most snakes at night road cruising in the hot months, but activity is limited to around 9:30-11:00 p.m. I do find some interesting stuff in front of T-storms though. Here is a female Mexican milk snake from May of this year.
Todd Hughes

Nice Find! I have never seen anything like that in the wild, but I would LOVE to!

Maybe next time - are there snakes out in late November?

I'll be back in Texas for Thanksgiving...either Houston or Belton I never know where the family will be.

Thanks for the picture,

Jake

The indigos breed in Oct-Nov down in s. Texas! I find a lot of stuff fattening up for the long(LOL) winter! Jan.-early march is pretty slow with some warmish days in between. Saw a diamondback rattler out two days after our first snow in over 20 years on Dec.25th! Afriend of mine caught the years first Mex. milk in Jan.! It's great down here.
Todd Hughes

Yup, finding snakes around Belton can be real frustrating!!!! My in-laws live there so everytime my family goes there we keep our eyes open. My father-in-law found a good size Texas Rat in their backyard in town this past May. The depredation caused by fire ants has affected the numbers I'm sure. Next time in Texas try to be here from late March to late June and go South or Southwest. I lived in Pearsall (54 mi. south of San Antonio)for 7 years and found 12 snakes in a short time cruising roads many nights. Did even better further South near Freer. There aren't the number of fire ants South and it is more open country.

Pat

Pat, what kinds of snakes are you finding around Pearsall?
Todd Hughes

I can't believe that I found someone who goes to Belton, TX! I like it there, but it seems pretty remote. Anyway - thanks for the tips. I am going to try and get out there during spring break this year. One of the guys who lives on the ranch said he counted 13 water snakes in one of the ponds during April this year.

My father-in-law also called to tell me a 5' rat snake crossed the driveway right in front of his car as he was comming home two days after I left!

Anyway - I'll probably be back there for Thanksgiving so let me know if you are visiting your in-laws then.

see ya,

Jake