Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Now that fall is pretty much upon us, I doubt that I will be able to find any wild herps in my area. But I'm curious to know where & how would find any wild snakes that are native in Mass (in the spring & summer)? I live in Readville, Mass & I want to see catch some wild herps (preferably snakes) for photo purposes. I'd appreciate any advice or help. Thanks....

Good places are abandoned barns and farm builings, meadows at the edge of forests, power line cuts, rural and suburban trash piles and any reasonably natural settings. But MA is much less bountiful in both quantity of species and quantity of specimens. You can find eastern milks, black racers, eastern garters and northern water snakes all reasonably easily. Theoretically you can find eastern hognose and smooth green snakes too. But they're harder to find. And the remnants of black ratsnake, timber rattlesnake and copperhead populations are relicts that F&W basically protects and probably they could name all the extant sites. And one big piece of advice, check yourself for deer ticks. This area of the world has plenty of Lyme Disease to catch and that ain't any fun.

Regards
John

to piggyback if i may on your point about deer ticks(or chiggers,etc. for that matter)-ideal pants to wear(yes,pants,even in hot weather,is smartest)are lightweight,but with pockets and sorta baggy for comfort-but most af all-get the type with a drawstring at the ankles,and tie it securely befor entering the field-this prevents shoots of grass/vegetation,etc. from going up between your pant leg and your boots/socks/skin,the best way for these pests to jump on board you as a host while you walk..these are usually most often found at army surplus stores fro pretty cheap...and use bug spray as well,the more deet in it the bettter.