Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For those who DO have experience hunting for racers in the NJ pine barrens, any suggestion as to how early I should get there at this time of year to find some racers? I thought maybe getting up at around 6 and going(it's only about a 20 minutes or 30 minute drive to the barrens form my house), but then again, the snakes would probably be asleep, and I want to see them out basking and hunting. Thanks in advance for any advice!
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Scott

Reptiles
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1 Colombian Rainbow Boa (Rocky)
1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon* (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Other
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1.0 Betta Fish (Tyrone)
1.0 Hooded Rat* (Clubber, R.I.P.)
0.1 Albino Rat (Isis)

Hey Scott,

I've been herpin' in the Barrens faithfully for the last 4 years or so, and have been there intermittently over the last 15 years. The Barrens is HUGE, as you may know, and black racers are basically all over the place. I've found hatchlings through adults from time to time (when they were visible as they are so quick and sense you first), and geography has ranged from open cranberry bogs, to general forest floor, to wide-open areas that support growth of future Christmas trees. Some people have told me that old railroad areas are good (and can be good for many things such as corns, temporalis, and eastern milks). As far as time, well, depends on the temperature. A fresh start at 9am to 10am is good on a fair-weather day (75-85 F), but too cool or too hot typically fares nothing much. That racer pic that I posted with my daughter holding it was on a fluke day that was no warmer than 65F and WINDY. I found that adult curled up in a log and she was ice-cold (hence as to why she was so docile and easy to handle). In the famous words of Karl Kauffeld, "no place offers so much yet yields so little". Maybe we can hook up one day and tour together?

Jerry Kruse

....but if it's possible, a day of herping in the pine barrens sounds like a jolly idea!
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Scott

Reptiles
--------
1 Colombian Rainbow Boa (Rocky)
1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon* (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Other
-----
1.0 Betta Fish (Tyrone)
1.0 Hooded Rat* (Clubber, R.I.P.)
0.1 Albino Rat (Isis)

n/p

Just messing around sir. Don't lose sleep over thinking about it!
-----
Scott

Reptiles
--------
1 Colombian Rainbow Boa (Rocky)
1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon* (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Other
-----
1.0 Betta Fish (Tyrone)
1.0 Hooded Rat* (Clubber, R.I.P.)
0.1 Albino Rat (Isis)

racers seem to be the most common snake found in the barrens or any part of southjersey .this year ive pretty much found them in evry type of habitat,ex vernal pools, permanent bogs,lakes/ponds, open fields , thick forest , light forest, forest near no water and under junk and AC, train tracks are good as well as powerlines .most my finds were early hours before 2 oclock but ive found a few gettin the last bit of the days sun up .
only one juvenilly this year wich was caught very early darting across a trail through straight pine woods and a 2-3 footer was found at about 7 30 ,earlyest find for a racer this year for me . most this years finds were all males . wierd?
you should pretty much have no problem coming about finding a racer . but if your looking for the kings or milks , good luck .
im up for any barren adventures as well, im there almost evry weekend
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1.0 Amelanistic greatplains ratsnake
0.1 Greatplains ratsnake
0.1 Amelanistic Cornsnake
0.1 Virginia cornsnake
1.1 Everglades Ratsnake
0.1 Greenish ratsnake
1.1 Texas Ratsnake
0.1 Black ratsnake
1.1 Speckled kingsnake
1.0 abberant northwestern garter
0.1 Oregon Red sided gartersnake
1.0 Leopard Gecko
1.0 green iguana
and a bangin @ss drumset

....even though it's gonna 95 or hotter every day this coming week???
-----
Scott

Reptiles
--------
1 Colombian Rainbow Boa (Rocky)
1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon* (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Other
-----
1.0 Betta Fish (Tyrone)
1.0 Hooded Rat* (Clubber, R.I.P.)
0.1 Albino Rat (Isis)

as I'd stated before Scott, it's going to be difficult finding ANYTHING when it's that hot out in the Pines. I've tried it, not much fun unless you like deer flies.

Jerry

....in the morning when it's starting to warm up? It seems like at 7 or 8 it'd be in the mid 70s.
-----
Scott

Reptiles
--------
1 Colombian Rainbow Boa (Rocky)
1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon* (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Other
-----
1.0 Betta Fish (Tyrone)
1.0 Hooded Rat* (Clubber, R.I.P.)
0.1 Albino Rat (Isis)

it was about 90 and this girl was on the prowl
the last picture will show u the fiestyness . a bite might not be so bad but remember ,humans blood in a snakes mouth is not so good.were full of all kinds of funky viruses and junk .im not positively sure whats transmitable though blood consumptionthrough the mouth but i know its no good



-----
1.0 Amelanistic greatplains ratsnake
0.1 Greatplains ratsnake
0.1 Amelanistic Cornsnake
0.1 Virginia cornsnake
1.1 Everglades Ratsnake
0.1 Greenish ratsnake
1.1 Texas Ratsnake
0.1 Black ratsnake
1.1 Speckled kingsnake
1.0 abberant northwestern garter
0.1 Oregon Red sided gartersnake
1.0 Leopard Gecko
1.0 green iguana
and a bangin @ss drumset

this girl was out on the prowl in mid day this weekend at around 92 degrees. very fiesty too as the third pic can show

-----
1.0 Amelanistic greatplains ratsnake
0.1 Greatplains ratsnake
0.1 Amelanistic Cornsnake
0.1 Virginia cornsnake
1.1 Everglades Ratsnake
0.1 Greenish ratsnake
1.1 Texas Ratsnake
0.1 Black ratsnake
1.1 Speckled kingsnake
1.0 abberant northwestern garter
0.1 Oregon Red sided gartersnake
1.0 Leopard Gecko
1.0 green iguana
and a bangin @ss drumset