Herping in local parks.

[Millinex]

Herped a local park today called "Garden of the Gods" known for snakes..

Ran across this one and another which I relocated to a safer part of the park:


Took it back to the parking lot of the park to grab the camera and took the chance to educate some of the local bikers/hikers/tourists about summer + rattlers.
I encourage the rest of you to take the chances when they appear to shed some light on snakes and whatnot, it's a great feeling and the public really enjoyed it today (except 1 terrified lady who abandoned her fascinated family in fear).

[guidofatherof5]

Nice job and awesome snake.

[Mommy2many]

We have rattlers here and I have yet to see one. Maybe some day, on good terms!

[mustang]

what good terms
oh hey mr.rattlesnake oh you look so ccute im gonna come pet u
ouch you taggeed me you little son of *pass out*

[Millinex]

Nice job and awesome snake.

She was surpassingly mellow for me having captured her twice, dug her out of a tiny little hole next to the path, and being mid shed, the other smaller one was just the meanest sucker... When I found him nothing but once in the box.... Wouldn't dare handle one that small with my hands!

We have rattlers here and I have yet to see one. Maybe some day, on good terms!

I go looking for them and this was the first time I found them. I heard they come out in the morning but it seems early afternoon is prime time, when an area i normally herped very well suddenly had them. Good terms are what I got with the first one, hand catching a 3 foot prairie without stick was a very humbling and amazing experience.

what good terms
oh hey mr.rattlesnake oh you look so ccute im gonna come pet u
ouch you taggeed me you little son of *pass out*

I wouldn't advise anyone tries to handle such a snake with there hands unless they are experienced, I knew the snake was big enough, me faster enough, him mellow enough etc that I could "tail" him and move him around that way. I got lucky with a mellow snake, no one should ever try to pet a hot in the wild.

[Didymus20X6]

I would suggest one of those metal claw thingies that I sometimes see professional herpatologists use on TV, but those things cost a few pretty pennies.

However, I found a nifty little tool I have often used in my own snake capturing, and believe it or not, you can get it at your local mega-type department store for about $10. It's basically designed for lazy people who drop their TV remotes, but I have caught a few snakes with it. It's a bit flimsy, and the suction cups do tend to break off, but I fixed mine by filling the screw holes with crazy glue, and haven't had a problem since.

[Millinex]

I would suggest one of those metal claw thingies that I sometimes see professional herpatologists use on TV, but those things cost a few pretty pennies.

However, I found a nifty little tool I have often used in my own snake capturing, and believe it or not, you can get it at your local mega-type department store for about $10. It's basically designed for lazy people who drop their TV remotes, but I have caught a few snakes with it. It's a bit flimsy, and the suction cups do tend to break off, but I fixed mine by filling the screw holes with crazy glue, and haven't had a problem since.

I'm actually working on creating my own snake hook, taking a golf club apart and putting a heavy duty hook on the end. I guess I should clarify above. I had a stick with me both times. The first time a hiking stick, the second time a golf club (because it was hooklike) and at one point during both encounters I worked with the snake without it, and I probably could have moved it safely without it both times, however it was there "just in case".

Not a huge fan of tongs, only reason I see for them is people who want to hold it by the neck for grabbing it up there, I don't believe in holding a snake like that and do a more Steve Irwin approach with the tail/stick thing, and it worked very well today. Should work even easier on large diamondbacks!

[GradStudentLeper]

I would suggest one of those metal claw thingies that I sometimes see professional herpatologists use on TV, but those things cost a few pretty pennies.

However, I found a nifty little tool I have often used in my own snake capturing, and believe it or not, you can get it at your local mega-type department store for about $10. It's basically designed for lazy people who drop their TV remotes, but I have caught a few snakes with it. It's a bit flimsy, and the suction cups do tend to break off, but I fixed mine by filling the screw holes with crazy glue, and haven't had a problem since.

While I have a set of snake tongs, I tend not to use them, the chances of accidentally breaking ribs or damaging the spine is too high unless they are rubber coated. I just use a hook (I have several sizes) and if the snake is large enough, a hook and my hand (to restrain the tail).

Gorgeous snake BTW

[Didymus20X6]

The thing I use actually has two rubber suction cups on the end. And it doesn't exert much pressure: I've picked up nightcrawlers with them without hurting them. I'm confident enough now that I can pick up small snakes with a pair of gloves on, but when I first started catching them, I was extremely ophidiophobic.

[gregmonsta]

Wow good job.