Reptile & Amphibian Forums

safe to go out looking for snakes?!? I am getting anxious. When is the earliest most of you start out?

Chris
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U.A.P.P.E.A.L.
Uniting A Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League
www.uappeal.org

Dunno about these other guys, but for me, in OH and KY, I don't even try to start looking for snakes until April.

Now...if you learn to like salamanders you can start your season a lot earlier!

Late March if the weather is nice.

You can get turtles a little bit earlier basking.

Honestly though, if the weather is real nice now you can get lucky and find stuff basking near dens. You will never know if you don't try. I found a fresh dead garter in 25 degree weather early march a couple years ago. A bird had just gotten to it and dropped it in a bush. The sun was a shining though.

My advice, take up salamanders. A whole other world of wonder and amazement will be opened up for you. They are just that fricking cool. And at least you can always find something.
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www.buckeyeherps.com

Yeah, I am going to have to get a little more into those guys. They definitely seem interesting. I think I will give them a shot pretty soon and see what I can turn up! Dean, do you ever do your surveys on a sunday? If so, I am interested in accompanying you or Jason to learn a little more. I must say, however, after my nighting out with Jason my luck came MUCH better. Especially with queen snakes...lol.

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U.A.P.P.E.A.L.
Uniting A Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League
www.uappeal.org

Thanks for the caudate-support, Jason. Caudates are literally living gems (as you put it), and too many people (even "herpers" overlook them as nothing more than some slimy animal. Their behavior, mating strategies - its all incredibly interesting-when was the last time you saw a snake doing a complex courtship ritual beneath 1/2" of ice in early February? haha. I've found that as people progress in their knowledge and appreciation, they eventually gain respect for more than just the animal that brought them to that area.

Chris - I'm pretty sure you know this, but I am in Columbus too, and go herping at least a few times a month...sorta surprised you haven't made any effort to get in touch..
~Mike

Actually Mike,

I wasn't aware you was in Columbus until I read your response above to the "Conservation Conference" and you mentioned that was like 10 minutes from you. After reading that I was going to send you an email and find out what days you typically go (if any). You'll definitely get an email from me now!

Chris

>>Thanks for the caudate-support, Jason. Caudates are literally living gems (as you put it), and too many people (even "herpers" overlook them as nothing more than some slimy animal. Their behavior, mating strategies - its all incredibly interesting-when was the last time you saw a snake doing a complex courtship ritual beneath 1/2" of ice in early February? haha. I've found that as people progress in their knowledge and appreciation, they eventually gain respect for more than just the animal that brought them to that area.
>>
>>Chris - I'm pretty sure you know this, but I am in Columbus too, and go herping at least a few times a month...sorta surprised you haven't made any effort to get in touch..
>>~Mike
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U.A.P.P.E.A.L.
Uniting A Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League
www.uappeal.org

I tend to think of it as "snakers" and "herpers". Most people start out with or have a main interest, but it is the true herpers that end up searching for everything. I am the first to admit my primary interest is snakes, but many of my goals for 2006 actually involve amphibians and turtles.

It is a whole different ball game, and almost a completely new hunt.
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www.buckeyeherps.com

My main interest is just reptiles in general, typically excluding amphibians. However, I get excited when I come across frogs and toads as well. I just never had thought much about sallies, but at the same time I never really read much into them either...looks like that will be next on my list!

Chris

>>I tend to think of it as "snakers" and "herpers". Most people start out with or have a main interest, but it is the true herpers that end up searching for everything. I am the first to admit my primary interest is snakes, but many of my goals for 2006 actually involve amphibians and turtles.
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>>It is a whole different ball game, and almost a completely new hunt.
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>>www.buckeyeherps.com
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U.A.P.P.E.A.L.
Uniting A Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League
www.uappeal.org

I believe you and I just had a convo about this. I agree, a good way to split it up - "snakers" and "herpers". Its too bad really - the snakers don't know what they are missing.
~Mike

Hey let them have their snakes One thing worth mentioning though is not all snakers are bad at what they do. Some of them know the animals better than I ever will. To each his own I guess. I can't see how you wouldn't start liking amphibs after a while. I guess where you live can really influence your interest. I just don't understand how some of the guys out west don't spend any time hunting up their amphibs. There are some really cool creatures out there.
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www.buckeyeherps.com

I agree with what you all are saying. For me there are additional factors in the equation (and I suspect for many of you guys as well). Depending on the region of the country and the species, the most efficient way to find snakes is often to visit junk/tin sites or to road cruise. Not very aesthetically pleasing and doesn't provide much exercise. Another problem with snaking is that it is often slow which amplifies the above issues (especially if you have kids). A salamander hunt generally involves a nice hike and a pleasing natural environment. If conditions are at all reasonable the common species will turn up in numbers. Hard to argue with that.

...they have always reminded my of living, breathing, gummie bears.

PS: They are very interesting when it's too cold to look for snakes.

Ok I knew I would not find any snakes but due to the warm winter and some days around 60 I did flip some plywood and tin placed in a research area at Kent State. of course I found nothing but I can now say I went herping in Jan in Ohio!!

I plan on hiting some good Ambystoma ponds in the Cuyahoga National Forest starting next weekend, mostly looking for Jeffersons as they tend to go early. but I don't usually bother looking for anything else until I hear the spring peepers.

I remember listening to stories from the old herpers who swore they could find Kirkland's water snakes in the snow long the hillsides near downtown Cincy. As a boy (circa 1950's)I remember finding water snakes after school in a creek in Terrace Park (behind St. Thomas church) while wearing gloves and a winter coat. Sometimes you just can't wait to turn over s few rocks to see whats there.