Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys, I'm sure someone here can help me...
I've been trying to find a snake other than garters or water snakes for three years, and haven't found anything yet except a DOR adult eastern milk. I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. I'm looking for:
Northern Brown Snakes
Northern Red-belly snakes
Northern Ringneck snakes
Eastern Smooth Green Snakes
Black Rat Snakes
Eastern Milk Snakes

Does anyone have any tips for me? When should I be herping? What kind of weather is best for road cruising; flipping rocks & logs, etc. Are there any types of habitats in particular that I could look for any of these snakes in? Thanks for your help,
James

I've had pretty good luck looking for "dump sites" in the area. This would be an area where people have dumped large trash items (appliances,carpet etc..). I just drive around looking for dirt roads leading to ?. It helps to have a 4 wheel drive. I've also had luck in industrial parks. There's usually lot's of good habitats and stuff to flip in back of the buildings.

I've had best luck in late afternoon when it's warmest.

Good luck!

>>I've had pretty good luck looking for "dump sites" in the area. This would be an area where people have dumped large trash items (appliances,carpet etc..). I just drive around looking for dirt roads leading to ?. It helps to have a 4 wheel drive. I've also had luck in industrial parks. There's usually lot's of good habitats and stuff to flip in back of the buildings.
>>
>>I've had best luck in late afternoon when it's warmest.
>>
>>Good luck!

Same advice I have to give you. I herp around industrial parks, there is one near me with some preserve property close to it with garbage all over to flip. Also look in junk yards. Where are you located?
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Mike, I keep: veil chams, corns, kings, tiger sals, fox snake, box turts, plains garters, dekay snakes

I usually have best luck flipping on hot days after it rains.

>>>>I've had pretty good luck looking for "dump sites" in the area. This would be an area where people have dumped large trash items (appliances,carpet etc..). I just drive around looking for dirt roads leading to ?. It helps to have a 4 wheel drive. I've also had luck in industrial parks. There's usually lot's of good habitats and stuff to flip in back of the buildings.
>>>>
>>>>I've had best luck in late afternoon when it's warmest.
>>>>
>>>>Good luck!
>>
>>Same advice I have to give you. I herp around industrial parks, there is one near me with some preserve property close to it with garbage all over to flip. Also look in junk yards. Where are you located?
>>-----
>>Mike, I keep: veil chams, corns, kings, tiger sals, fox snake, box turts, plains garters, dekay snakes
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Mike, I keep: veil chams, corns, kings, tiger sals, fox snake, box turts, plains garters, dekay snakes

Sounds like you are in the north-east. I live in Kingston, NY and herp the surrounding areas. I almost always find atleast one species of snake every day i go out. Yesterday i found a nice sized ringneck, saw a large waternsake coiled in some leaves.. and actually stepped on a big black rat snake! Didnt realize untill he started rattling his tail, but he quickly sped off once i "jumped". (thought i was on a copperhead)

Garters - Almost all situations.

Water snakes - under or on rocks near the more remote ponds.

Milks - under rock piles near "wild" ponds and lakes where there are many hemlocks. Also in old barns and buildings with trash, etc.

Black Racers - near ponds also, especially in old, large stonewalls right on the water. See them alot in spring.

Black Rats - same as racers but only in specific areas, ussually in areas surrounding mountains and hills with rock outcrops and lots of hemlocks.

Ringnecks - Under stones in most any type of woods, ussually more moist situations. Also in stonewalls.

Timber Rattlers - At there dens, site specific, but ussually wedged under rocks.

Still havent found any hognose or copperheads, but i know of some good spots for this fall. To sum it all up.. (in my experience anyways), remote areas with water, rocks and hemlocks.. and you cant go wrong.

Hope that helped a bit..

O H