Reptile & Amphibian Forums

On Tuesday evening I went to the River Road. The temps were right but there was no wind. So no wind equals no snake movement. There was also about 9 cars cruising for alterna. Headed back to the Xmas mtns and got there at about 12:30 am (Wednesday). The temps were about 76 and a breeze was kicking up. There were about 5 to 7 hunters at that location, but most had left just before I got there. One local said he was leaving and my roomy said he was retiring for the night. I could feel that everything was right and I had the whole xmas to myself. Cool! I found a nice lep on the South cuts just before he left. At 1:37 on the North cuts a spotted a black Root/snake? I kept my spotlight on it and when I saw one end open about 2" between it and the verticle root next to it I new I had an alterna. I ran over and it had moved about 1' 6" downward. I reached down and picked it up. I checked it immediately and was happy to find out that it was a female. I was sure I would find another and I hunted until 4:00 AM. Nothing else but the expectency is half the fun. I always believe I am going to catch an alterna when things are right. The snake is about a 2 year old and in perfect condition. Hope you enjoy the picture. It should turn into an almost all balck snake as it grows. Enjoy...Ric Blair

You're making it awfully difficult for those of us stuck at home this week....

I am so glad you have the money to fund these S.O.B.'s like Chevron, Shell,Phillips 66, Texaco etc. I was supposed to be leaving to go out West today, but I just cannot justify it. I understand fully the experience as everyone knows, but you know, there comes a time when you just have to sit and feed and take care of the ones you got. Congrats Ric, and maybe one day I will see you and everyone else out there next year, maybe 5 years from now.

Wayne

...very cool find, Ric. Thanks for the phone call, too. That snake is what I tried for for sooooo long on the humps. Drop me a note when you get back home.

Bob

appreciate that snake with all the time you spent in the xmas area. I am starting to like burning the cuts with a spotlight. Sure get a sore neck and the car gets full of moths. I mean hundreds of them. You see alot of interesting animals on the cuts...Ric

Hey Ric, good trip. Did you get the Luna Vista in the saddle on top of the north hill? Looks like one of the two we found in June.
Later
Rick

Nice one Ric, congrats!