Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm headed to "Cali" in July and will be around Long Beach, Ontario, Diamond Bar, and Placentia (sp).

anyone familiar with the area? any place around there worth herping?

I know nothing of the area, but dont want to miss an oppurtunity if there is one to be had. I know people are secretive of specific spots, but a yes/no with a generalized area to try out would be great.

I don't think you'll find anything around there in July. Its too dry and too hot. You could probably find some lizards or maybe a helleri before it gets hot or in the evening. I never wasted my time around there in July. I would go out to the desert late at night into the early morning and roadcruise. Found lots of cool stuff that way.
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darn.

as soon as my wife told me that we are vacationing/ visiting family in california this july i instantly thought "oh boy, i get to find some wild cal kings" haha.

For Cal kings ross is the resident expert on field herping in the areas you mentioned.. I would listen to what he says.
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FR quote:
"Doing the same things over and over expecting to learn something else, is the definition of insanity"

Thanks Rainer. Too bad he couldn't have been here last month.
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In July the San Gabrial mtns is your answer.. You will find rosys and mountain kingsnakes.

When you see large boulders and rocks pull over and walk the area about an hour before sunset.

This is me in the SG in July .. but it was a few years ago. I caught 4 boas in the hour before sunset on a fire road that day. Took this pic just as it got dark.

You can road cruise the roads at night for mtn kings. You will also see lyre snakes and every other sort.

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FR quote:
"Doing the same things over and over expecting to learn something else, is the definition of insanity"

Also cal kings there. I grew up there TOOOOOOOOO. I was thinking, mid elevation, at that time of the year. Its possible, but not likely if you do not know the area. I love SG boas, except some bite like crazy.

You're right, Rainer! I've heard that is a good place too in July, but I picked the desert for Cal kings over boas and Mnt kings. lol I've heard the Cal kings are hard to find in those mountains.
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I think the desert is too hot in July. Don't you?

When it gets above 100F it is time to head up to the San Gabes. Then it is perfect up there for boas and stuff.
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FR quote:
"Doing the same things over and over expecting to learn something else, is the definition of insanity"

Yeah, if you go to the desert at the usual time, it is way too hot. During that time of year, they come out later into the night depending how hot it is. I remember one year in July I got there at about 10PM and found maybe 1 or 2 snakes until about 2AM I found 5 snakes, including a Cal king, in that whole hour. It pretty much died after that. That was around mid July. Late July and August are really bad no matter what time you go.
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Yeah, Rainer's pointing you in the right direction. In July think higher altitudes. The San Gabes are good, San Jacintos, maybe even the Sierras. Depending on what you're looking for I'd even try some coastal areas. I live in Chatsworth, CA and July is when alot of the popular lower elevation spots slow down. I have, however, heard of a couple of people having good boa nights near Barstow. Happy herping.

reako45

San Jacintos and Sierras is too dry in July. San Gabes is the only place.
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FR quote:
"Doing the same things over and over expecting to learn something else, is the definition of insanity"