Reptile & Amphibian Forums

.. I came across this big guy today here in S. Texas....
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He has a lot of the looks of Drymarchon of N. Mexico.. Very warm and nice weather here. I hope you are having a nice Holiday.

AWESOME PHOTO Gus! Thanks for sharing. It must truly be wonderfull to be able to find them in their native habitat. What a find!!Brought a smile to my face. Thanks for sharing again and happy holidays to you also!

Sincerely,

Fred Albury

verry nice.
i think next year (2006) i come to america for some wild live photo's from indigo's.

a expedition thats one of my dreams.

thanks for sharing.

Gus, what incredible, sharp photos! I would be so thrilled to see such a thing in the wild. I hope you will tell us a story, paint the picture how you came across such an animal. A rumour about localized, introduced couperi in S. or E. Texas was circulating, do you think it has any validity? Thankyou for sharing the photos, they are much enjoyed by those of us living outside the range.

.. finding these is just like any other snake or reptile.. know their habits and keep looking in the right kind of places..

Lots of people go out to some specific place where they've been advised they can find some reptile.. 'turn north at the mule-pen, go three miles to the leaning tree with the broken gate and turn up all that tin with handles on it". Whoo-hoo! I found it!, one more for my list. That's great for a lot of people but to me that isn't herping, it's more of a treasure-hunt game..

I'll tell you this, we're having 60deg nights with humid mornings and lingering cloud cover until noon when temps hit the low 80s.. anytime after the dew clears off and until surface temps get too warm is perfect for seeing Drymarchon..

Turning trash for these is not the best.. though you may observe them sunning on a pile if it is cool or sticking their heads down into one looking for something.. just put in the miles, on foot and in the car on unimproved roads or canal banks (keep your eyes open all the time) not too far from some permanent or semi-permanent water source. In more arid areas the presence of opuntia cacti stands and stick-nests of the pack rats are good indicators.. keep an ear out too, you can hear those big snakes sliding through the tall grass, or rats and rabbits squealing when they grab them.. and look out for big atrox in the grass!
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Hope this helps...