Reptile & Amphibian Forums

does anyone know what time of day or specific weather conditions are best for finding racers? i heard they can tolerate heat pretty well but are they most seen in the heat? also, is there a specific time of year, specificaly in the northern states, when they are easiest to find? and do they travel a lot or pretty much hang out in the same areas from day to day?

thanks

Well as you said you live in Mass, and i do not think you will be finding any snakes this time of year because your temperatures are below freezing and you have already had snow so most lilely all snakes are hibernating.

You may get lucky and find a Eastern Garter, but i dont believe you will be finding anything else. Maybe im wrong, hopefully i am because i know how it is not to be able to go look for snakes when its the winter because of the temperature.

When i lived in Mass i lived in Lowell and i would always go to the Dracut/Lowell state forest and go herping and i did all year round and never found anything in the winter except the rare Garter snake. In spring time even with the lower temperatures is a good time to start looking because its breeding time for all snakes and you would have better chances of find them.

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Cameron

In the spring wait until the weather get to be around 80F for at least a week. Find a country junk pile boards, roofing tins etc… Go in the early morning before sun up and start flipping the plywood, roofing tins etc… The snakes especially racers will be waiting for the sun to heat them up. Once the sun actually hits the plywood tin or other item it will become too hat and the snake will be out foraging for food. Summer I have success flipping stuff at night. Hope this helps.