Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everybody, I just verified with the CA Dept. of Fish and Game that it is legal to collect reptiles on Sept. 24th, this year's "Free Fishing Days", without purchasing a fishing license (of course, the daily bag limits and all other normal restrictions still apply). I live in Los Angeles, and I will be heading out that day to go chucking. I plan to collect a pair of chuckwallas if I am able to find two that I like (nice markings and coloration), and I was wondering if anybody has any specific suggestions of places to go where I would be guaranteed to find some good looking animals? If you do have suggestions, can you tell me what the chucks in that location tend to look like? I am also interested in other lizards and snakes (especially kingsnakes and rosy boas), so any suggestions of where I would find a variety of animals would be very welcome. I would prefer to stay within about three hours' drive of LA, which can get me pretty far into chuckwalla territory.

Thanks,

Angus

LOL...I have no idea where the chucks hide in California. I looked all over a well known locale in February and couldn't find a single one. I hear they get pretty attractive around Palm Springs.

Go look in any rock pile from Ridgecrest to the Colorado river. Believe me, they are everywhere. They seem to be in volcanic outcroppings but any boulder with a crack can be "home."

hint: Look around 4,000' to 4,500' elevation near the base of south or east facing slopes.
Good luck

Thanks for the suggestion. I have decided on the trip I am going to make next weekend. I will be going over near Palm Springs, where I will visit several places, depending on time. The places I have chosen include White Water, Morongo Valley, Pioneertown, and up toward Yucca Valley, but I may change my mind when I actually get over that way. I have never been to that area, so I'm excited to see the countryside as well as any chucks I might find. Thanks also for the suggestion re: elevation. I will keep that in mind.

Angus

http://www.joshua.tree.national-park.com/map.htm
The enterance to first two enterences of Joshua Tree have boulders and granit outcropings everywhere and there are some gorgous chucks in this are. Do not collect within the confines of the park this is illegal!!!
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