anyone working with Thamnophis gigas

[ConcinusMan]

A gopher snake in polk, co. Oregon? really? I've never found one myself until I moved to San Diego. Then I saw kids catching them in Battle ground, just north of Vancouver and was very surprised. I've lived all over CA and never found a king outside of San Diego co. either, although I hear they are common around bear creek near I-5 in southern oregon.

I just got home with my new Lampropeltis triangulum. she's a beauty. She's about 3 feet long, very healthy, and very ready to shed. I think it will happen by morning.

Still going to get me a pair of concinnus this spring. I just love them.

[Mike Spencer]

Yup. I know a tinsite in Polk that produces gophers, racers, concinnus, and ordinoides. It's a pretty cool spot.
If you're in California at any point and have some time, be sure to get a hold of me. I'll make sure to either show you some spots or at least guide you to some.

[ConcinusMan]

Thanks much. I have no problem finding racers, ordinoides, and obviously, I have a known spot just 20 minutes north of my location for small gophers. I even know a spot that is known for fairly large rubber boas, and I know where to find numerous northern alligator lizards. Just east of my location, perhaps 25 miles I can even find Western Fence lizards. There have been confirmed reports of mountain king snakes in the same area!

You were talking about Polk co. Oregon, just east of Salem weren't you? That's really not too far from Benton co. Oregon, where there are some of the most beautiful concinnus to be found. Ringnecks are also common in Polk and Benton counties, so I hear. Sadly, ringnecks have been extirpated from my county (last confirmed sighting was in the late 50's)

[Mike Spencer]

Bummer about the ringnecks. Yeah. My spot in Polk is right near the Polk/Benton Co. line. Gorgeous concinnus there. A lot of them have the solid red heads. The zonata I was talking about was a Washington State CA Mt. Kingsnake. Their range in Washington is very small. Only about 15 square miles I believe. I just got lucky and was able to find one my first day out. It helps coming from their native state though, and having studied them long enough to know where I should be looking. I studied their range quite a bit and everything, google earthed the area, all sorts of planning, and it paid off.

I know most of the localities in northern CA for striped phase Pacific gopher snakes too. I like them a lot more than the normal blothched ones.

[ConcinusMan]

oh, that "zonata" I feel stupid now. But yeah, I know a spot not too far east of my location, in Skamania Co. which is the spot I mentioned. As soon as you can start finding fence lizards, you're in the right spot. I think they're prettier than milks, but I can't justify owning one. I think they are too precious, and it might be illegal in WA. Oh well. It just occurred to me that we hijacked the thread and are way off topic.

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

I know most of the localities in northern CA for striped phase Pacific gopher snakes too. I like them a lot more than the normal blothched ones.

Well, I live in Humboldt County, and I have been dying to photograph a wild striped gopher snake! We must talk more on the issue!