Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, im new to FL winter herping... I'm a Connecticut boy and around this time I'd normally just be dreaming of herping (thank God for college) Could anyone tell me of any places south of Lake okeechobee where there are decent junk piles to flip tin etc. Someone gave me the coordinates for two or so in Clewiston, any more would be appreciated so I don't drive a hour and a half to flip junk in two piles. Also, any seasoned Florida herpers know what I should expect to see at this time of year/these temperatures (it's projeted to be 70 this sunday when I go)and is road-herping at night worth it, i.e - will I see anything...because I went out about 2 months ago in central FLA and didn't see nothin'. any help would be amazing...I'm looking forward to snagging some good pics, and If I can figure out how to use this message board thing I'll post em'. thanks a bunch
-josh

Flipping through piles of discarded shingles this time of year was one of the great coolecting periods for Joe and Loui of the long defunked "the Shed" reptile dealership. This was most effective when it has been cold and the sun was shining on the piles during some part of the day to warm it up.
Using a crow bar, they would lift one shingle at a time working their way down. This would expose several types of herps including, scarlet kings, reds, yellows, ringnecks, fla. brown snakes, geckos, skinks, some smaller species of frogs, and an anole or two. Most of these piles were found along the bigger cities on the Eastcoast south of the lake. After this and last years hurricane damage, there will be RECORD amounts of shingles to look through.
One important note: The shingles need have "weathered" abit before they produce well. You will notice some piles of various ages . Newer and very old ones may not produce as well as middle aged piles. You'll get the hang of it.
Hope this helps,
Phil Frank

those piles were near the old southland camp grounds....south of maimi....i think the area was coined thr redlands...then there was the in& outs....and the crossroads.....lot of those places have been cleaned up.........

Thanks guys... I tried south of Okeechobee in Clewiston, there wasn't an insane amount of junk there...no snakes. Lots of birds and a few tree frogs. I'll post pics when I learn how to use this thing. Also, anyone know anything about Scorpions in FLA...they're in my FL fieldguide, but ive never seen em' here before(though I've heard of people catching Vinagarone's)
thanks a bunch
-josh

Yea, I see alot of brown scorpions when I hunt scarlet kings under pine tree bark! JB

Hi,
Joe and I checked out soma shingle iles on a canal near Davie.
we found 2 small reds an numerous decays. garters and ribbons. Also a scarlet king under the very bottom shingles. I once founda nice everglades harchling under dome cardboard a few milas S of SOuth BAY on 27. THe redlands were geat for reds cruising or hunting trash. Now they are a lot more built u.
Jim