Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am interested in this species, I have only found them twice in the wild with both experiences being far away from rocks, outcrops or cliff face. They were both on the flats quite distant from "atypical habitat" in any direction. I wondered if any others could share their experiences with them. No need for EXACT locales but a general observance of the surrounding habitat would be appreciated.
Cheers
B

For me lyres have always been an incidental find in looking for other snakes. Usually boas, specks and greenrats. In general they tend to be more common in rocky terrain but can be found out in the flats up to a half mile or more away from large boulders.

Lyres tend to be a late mover at night and usually are one of the last snakes active. (in my experience)When they are active they can be very plentiful. I can give you a few areas out here that you will see multiple lyres in an evening. I have seen 5-6 in a night several times.

Rich G and I found a range extension for these snakes this year but we have yet to write it up. Both of us just too busy to deal with it. Some day we will.

...that claim they're out on the freeking dunes sidewinding Ok... Im just parodying Al Franken there...lighten up!
I wanna see a jpg of a lyre locale that aint rocky. I double dog dare ya.
Ive never fd more than 1 in a nite either, but I cant stay up as long as most of you!
I did manage to back over one.. being too lazy to turn around on the palms to pines hwy... one fateful nite!
Ive always fd them associated w/ rocks/outcrops/etc...never brushy or woodland areas in the bottomlands w/ alluvial soils...

away from the rocks, and its the second one that has been found in unusual habitat (for this species). Probably just migrants moving around or finding new territory. Most reports Ive gotten back related to my post have all stated the same, rocks, hills, cuts, and late at night are the parameters. Most have also included high numbers of these guys being seen in one evening, 5-6 or more, so it really comes down to finding the right place and working it over pretty well it seems. What about pictures? I have an animal that is unusually colored, at least Ive never seen another like it. Does anyone have some photos of the CA, AZ, TX ssp.? or any other pops. that I havent mentioned? I'll be coming out to AZ in the not too distant future and will be wanting to hook up with some of you guys who have some time to spend in the field.
Cheers
Brett

I'm kind of new at this, but I think this is a Lyre snake. I saw it last June in Joshua Tree National Park at around 1:00am. It was in my campground (Indian Cove)and this place is ROCKY - In fact I was there to do some rock climbing. It is actually one of the most fun snakes I have ever seen. It was just under 3 feet long and it stood up tall enough to try get into my truck.

Enjoy,

Jake

Congrats on the find! Trimorphs are pretty cool. Shane

Beautiful find! So how was the climbing? if you need a belay slave let me know.
Cheers
Brett

Here is one from this year. Sorry it's just a head shot.

same snake again

nice shots B, is that typical coloration for them out your way?
Thanks for sharing those too, it looks like you know how to use that camera pretty well now!

Ciao
B

Here is a better full bodyshot of that snake. It was actually from the Santa Ritas and I think it is pretty typical for what I have seen there.

Here are 2 others from different localities. BTW someone of the azreptiles dot com website found 2 out last night in Bagdad even in the extreem heat.

Terrific shots Brendan, Im looking into the same version of that camera myself, hows the night shot work for you? Those Lyres are just beautiful, man that second one is rich! I saw the pics from the one out by bahgdad, looked very similiar to the first one you posted. I will have to send you a picture of mine, its pretty nice looking too.
CHeers
B

Night shots are great with that camera. Two of the three lyres I posted were taken at night.

Most of the Lyres I have found have been in and among rock formations, usually large boulders, road cuts, or just off talus piles.

Last year, I was finding them pretty much anytime after dark in NM. The time I ran across them varied from about 8:30 pm to about 1:00 am. Air temps ranged from 75 to 90 F. Not suprisingly, most were found when the moon was small or covered with clouds.

Here are two individuals that I have found in the last year, The first is a Sonoran Lyre from the Roosevelt Lake area Northwest of Phoenix. The second is a Texas lyre from the Organ Mountains (in NM)found last July.

Laters,
Donovan

Hi Donovan:
Thanks for sharing the information and nice pictures, that Texan is pretty. So typical to find them associated with rocks,yet I find mine in places TOTALLY devoid of rock features, they must be migrants looking for new turf.

Cheers
Brett

Lyres seem to me to be a spring snake. They are all over the place in the beginning of the year and seem to be hard to find as it gets hotter. Ive seen them from dusk till very early in the morning. Take care.
Chip

Thats when Ive seen mine, may and june. I would imagine that the activity shifts later as summer progresses and have read that they actually prefer cool temperatures.
Cheers
B

BPO has posted some nice photos of AZ locale lyres. Here are some photos (not nearly as nice as BPO's) on CA locale lyres:

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Jaren
Desert Canyon Reptiles

All lyres that I have found both in AZ and California have been at night, either early evening, or late at night. I have found them at low elevations and at high elevations. Probably 95 % of the lyres I have found were in rocky habitat. I have found a few that were in hilly areas that did not really have many rocks, but never in flat land. Most of the lyres I have found in CA were found in cool weather in the spring, in the low 70's and upper 60's. Most I have found in AZ were in the upper 70's to upper 80's although I cannot say that my experience is any indication as to a difference in temperature preference between the AZ and CA animals. All occurences that I have had of finding 3 individuals at night were when the weather was in the low 70's or upper 60's.
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Jaren
Desert Canyon Reptiles

Hi Jaren thanks for sharing, your experience is similiar to my own. The animal in the photo which has a hex nut in it looks like one I have except the darker pattern is less distinct. Nice pictures by the way.
Cheers
B