Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all, I am wondering if anyone can point me in the direction of a good herping spot for me and my daughter to look around in. Neither of us has been herping before, and this is a photographic expedition only (especially since collecting is illegal here anyway.)

I live in the Seattle area, but I was thinking maybe Cle Elum might be a decent locale with a fairly wide species diversity. We mainly hope to spot snakes and lizards, but frogs would be equally cool. How about Walla Walla as another choice? Probably not too many frogs there, but might be a few spadefoot toads, and I would suppose plenty of snakes. Rubber boas, maybe?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

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Chris

2.0.0 Coleonyx variegatus
1.0.0 Gekko vittatus
0.0.1 Tarentola mauritanica
0.0.2 Rhacodactylus ciliatus

Terrestrial? Who you calling terrestrial?!!

Chris,
I live to the south in Corvallis, Oregon. Here in the northwest with our distinct seasonal weather that is mostly hot and dry at this time of year, this is the second worst time of year to look for most species of snakes during daylight hours.

There are exceptions of course. Daytime searches beneath cover objects early in the mornings before temperatures become to warm can sometimes reveal snakes. I was out the other day in the morning to release some specimens and observed 5 Northwestern Garter Snakes beneath artificial cover. All 5 snakes were in the 'blue' and would be shedding soon and thus the reason they were seeking warmth under cover objects. An hour so later, and the temperature beneath the tins and plywood would be too warm and the snakes would have retreated underground.

In parts of Washington, some species of lizards are more likely to be encountered, particularly east of the Cascade Mts.

If you can drive back roads at night in the foothills on the west side of the Cascades and any back road in E. Washington at this time of year, you have some chance of observing snakes on the road. And during E. Wash. thunderstorms with accompanying rain, both the Great Basin Spadefoot and Western Toads can often be found at roads at night.

You might look up Bill Leonard of Olympia as he is far more familiar with the herps of Washington, when and where to find them. He is editor one of the editors of the field guide on Washington and Oregon herps.

Richard F. Hoyer

Thanks for the info Richard.

Most likely we will try it in September when the weather should have cooled down a bit. I think that the area between Cle Elum and Ellensburg might be promising. I would prefer going on foot in the early morning or evening rather than night driving, maybe turn over a few rocks during midday and see what crawls out. At any rate, hopefully we will spot something other than pickeringii or Hyla regilla, got plenty of those right here around the house.
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Chris

2.0.0 Coleonyx variegatus
1.0.0 Gekko vittatus
0.0.1 Tarentola mauritanica
0.0.2 Rhacodactylus ciliatus

Terrestrial? Who you calling terrestrial?!!

Try the Taneum Creek area, there is an exit for it off of eastbound I-90. Bring a Delormes map to help guide you to the creek, its not far but IIRC the roads are goofy. You should be able to find what you are looking for there. This would also make a decent night driving road, there should definately be rubber boas in that area. For other spots e-mail me- Windustsearch@aol.com.

Thanks for the tip, sounds like just what I'm looking for. Think I'll give it a try next time we get a bit of precipitation. Do you know whether I need a vehicle use permit to park my car at a trailhead? It looks as though that area is in the Murray Wildlife Area.

>>Try the Taneum Creek area, there is an exit for it off of eastbound I-90. Bring a Delormes map to help guide you to the creek, its not far but IIRC the roads are goofy. You should be able to find what you are looking for there. This would also make a decent night driving road, there should definately be rubber boas in that area. For other spots e-mail me- Windustsearch@aol.com.

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Chris

2.0.0 Coleonyx variegatus bogerti
1.0.0 Gekko vittatus
0.0.1 Tarentola mauritanica
0.0.2 Rhacodactylus ciliatus

Terrestrial? Who you calling terrestrial?!!

I just took a spin through there the other night. There looks to be plenty of pullouts you can park at. You dont have to park at one of the campgrounds. I saw someone hit a nice rattlesnake, immediately followed by a couple herp vehicles I've seen in the area before. One is a white station wagon that has the grill decked out with extra lights, the other is a white VW golf. If you guys post here I'd like to meet up sometime, seen you at Manastash before as well.