Search found 648 matches

by SurfinHerp
December 13th, 2018, 9:13 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Google Earth
Replies: 10
Views: 16631

Re: Google Earth

Google Earth can help you find some good locations. However, it also helps poachers and collectors find the same locations. Here's a story about poaching in California.... In 2016 and 2017 some dicksmack used Google Earth to locate as many boardlines as he could in San Diego County, then visited th...
by SurfinHerp
July 11th, 2018, 5:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Better late than never... Snake Highlights 2017 CA
Replies: 5
Views: 6775

Re: Better late than never... Snake Highlights 2017 CA

Very nice post Mark!

Thanks for sharing so many photos. Lots of good finds, and some interesting specimens. I especially like the Sierra mtn kings, the orange colored LA County rosy, and that one cool helleri with brown and greenish colors.

Cheers,

Jeff
by SurfinHerp
May 10th, 2018, 9:03 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Cuban field herping - Oct 6-15, 2018
Replies: 6
Views: 9260

Re: Cuban field herping - Oct 6-15, 2018

Ernie - it should be made clear - you're a douchebag
by SurfinHerp
April 23rd, 2018, 9:27 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: trip report Morocco - April 2018
Replies: 2
Views: 4359

Re: trip report Morocco - April 2018

Thanks for sharing the link to the full report Jeroen. Lots of great photos, and many more species than I imagined based on your unenthusiastic description of the trip. Seems to me that you guys did really well!

Cheers,

Jeff
by SurfinHerp
April 23rd, 2018, 9:09 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First record for Placer county Spea Hammondii
Replies: 6
Views: 6319

Re: First record for Placer county Spea Hammondii

Nice find Porter!

It would be a HERP County Record if you entered it into the database. I just checked and didn't see a record. You ought to get that in there before somebody else comes along and beats you to it.

Jeff
by SurfinHerp
April 23rd, 2018, 8:56 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: That one day a year I can flip snakes here
Replies: 6
Views: 4475

Re: That one day a year I can flip snakes here

Interesting topic Jonathan. I second what Bill M. alluded to: try flipping at night. Night flipping can work here in So. Cal. during hot weather in May and June. I've also had a little luck night flipping in AZ during the monsoons. The only other idea that comes to mind is to try larger, thicker cov...
by SurfinHerp
March 18th, 2018, 11:36 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Galapagos, Southern Ecuador, and Tarapoto
Replies: 3
Views: 4701

Re: Galapagos, Southern Ecuador, and Tarapoto

Love all the marine iguanas Joseph! The rainbow boa looks awesome also.
Thanks for sharing your blog posts...

Jeff
by SurfinHerp
March 11th, 2018, 9:01 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A Couple 2017 South Central Alaska Highlights
Replies: 5
Views: 4622

Re: A Couple 2017 South Central Alaska Highlights

Very interesting Jamez. That truly is an obese wood frog!
by SurfinHerp
February 3rd, 2018, 11:45 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Collared Lizard search Tucson Area May
Replies: 4
Views: 4072

Re: Collared Lizard search Tucson Area May

Hi Roger, Collared lizards are fairly common on most rocky desert slopes. They are usually more wary than other lizard species, sometimes making them difficult to observe. April, May and September are probably the best months to see them in most parts of So. Cal. and Arizona. I recommend using a goo...
by SurfinHerp
December 8th, 2017, 5:44 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Cal King in Novemeber
Replies: 2
Views: 2660

Re: Cal King in Novemeber

Definitely a good find considering how dry it has been here in So. Cal. lately. I haven't visited a boardline in a while.

You think we'll get any rain before the end of 2017??
Doesn't look like we will. Wildfires are seemingly more likely :?
by SurfinHerp
October 30th, 2017, 11:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Santa Rosalia Rat Snake (Baja Rat)
Replies: 49
Views: 81899

Re: Santa Rosalia Rat Snake (Baja Rat)

Jonathan - Nate and I searched for ratsnakes south of Mountain Springs on May 22, 2017. Conditions were really good and we found a ton of herps. We hiked south for over 2 miles and the habitat seemed quite appropriate. There are numerous patches of palm trees, with some seeps and small springs scatt...
by SurfinHerp
October 13th, 2017, 10:14 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Does anybody keep/breed rear fanged snake species?
Replies: 17
Views: 32279

Re: Does anybody keep/breed rear fanged snake species?

Hi Melissa, I have a couple of lyre snakes from coastal San Diego County. I'm not positive, but I think one's a male and the other's a female. I plan to breed them in the future - probably in 2019. I want the smaller one (female?) to grow larger before she mates. They eat feeder mice and are very ea...
by SurfinHerp
September 22nd, 2017, 9:23 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Advice on an affordable rental for a herping trip
Replies: 12
Views: 10072

Re: Advice on an affordable rental for a herping trip

I like the Subaru recommendation, and the RAV4 too. A couple of other options to consider include Honda CRV and Kia Sportage. I had a great time in a Sportage down in Costa Rica many years ago. My wife has a CRV and I like it a lot. You gonna cruise down to SD County while you're in So. Cal.?? Jeff
by SurfinHerp
August 30th, 2017, 11:28 pm
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 372293

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

I support banning commercial collection of reptiles and amphibians in NV. Captive breeding is a much better way to supply the demand for herps. I'm in favor of allowing limited numbers of herps to be collected for personal use however. I think the herp laws in AZ are pretty reasonable, and could be ...
by SurfinHerp
August 23rd, 2017, 9:43 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Desert lions
Replies: 3
Views: 26567

Re: Desert lions

It's a little surprising that a mountain lion would be in the low desert in the middle of August. I understand that many of them move from the desert up into the mountains for the summer. Did you hear about the mountain lion in Borrego Springs earlier this year (in May I think)? It was menacing hike...
by SurfinHerp
August 9th, 2017, 10:19 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: So Cal So Far (Mojave, SD County, Tejon Ranch, etc.)
Replies: 9
Views: 9963

Re: So Cal So Far (Mojave, SD County, Tejon Ranch, etc.)

Fantastic post David! Love all the diversity. I didn't know you encountered a Gila monster on your Nevada trip....way to go man. I'm jealous.

How much longer do you plan to be in California?

Cheers,

Jeff
by SurfinHerp
August 1st, 2017, 8:01 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: photobucket no longer allows 3rd party pic hosting for free
Replies: 12
Views: 10672

Re: photobucket no longer allows 3rd party pic hosting for f

I just tried posting a photo directly to this thread, but it wouldn't work because my cropped and edited iPhone image is still way too large.

It would be best if this website could handle your standard iPhone pics easily.
by SurfinHerp
July 24th, 2017, 8:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Hunt for a king
Replies: 26
Views: 15005

Re: Hunt for a king

Congrats man!
That's a really nice king 8-)
by SurfinHerp
July 24th, 2017, 8:12 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Three new toad species in Nevada
Replies: 1
Views: 11340

Re: Three new toad species in Nevada

Thanks for sharing this Jonathan! It's amazing to think about how toads survive in small, isolated desert springs for thousands of years.
by SurfinHerp
July 22nd, 2017, 2:23 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Madagascar Part 4: Anjay Community Park
Replies: 4
Views: 4264

Re: Madagascar Part 4: Anjay Community Park

Very nice post! I especially like the chameleon and ring-tailed lemur.
by SurfinHerp
July 9th, 2017, 9:41 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Hunt for a king
Replies: 26
Views: 15005

Re: Hunt for a king

Such a good book!
by SurfinHerp
June 29th, 2017, 10:51 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring 2017 New Mexico, (and a little California)
Replies: 17
Views: 13147

Re: Spring 2017 New Mexico, (and a little California)

Amazing Bill!! I thoroughly enjoyed this post, and reliving our time together in early spring. I shared a bunch of the photos with my boys. They really like the bleached earless lizards, and now they want to go to New Mexico. I'll be sure to let you know if we head out your way. It's possible we cou...
by SurfinHerp
May 31st, 2017, 10:54 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Preventing Frogs from climbing walls
Replies: 8
Views: 17655

Re: Preventing Frogs from climbing walls

I thought about this for a while and I wonder if some sort of mini-handcuffs might be what you need. Perhaps small rubber bands that hold the frogs' front legs tight against their sides so they can't climb? Or small clear plastic tubes that you can slide the frogs into? I imagine frogs would be fine...
by SurfinHerp
May 8th, 2017, 11:04 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Great southern California experience
Replies: 3
Views: 2445

Re: Great southern California experience

I learned a few things and had a lot of fun herping with you Carl! Glad you enjoyed yourself while in CA.

Cheers,

Jeff
by SurfinHerp
April 17th, 2017, 7:16 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Bornean spine-jawed snake (Xenophidion acanthognathus)
Replies: 6
Views: 5839

Re: Bornean spine-jawed snake (Xenophidion acanthognathus)

What an interesting snake, and what a stroke of luck coming across one!

Did you take any photos that illustrate why it's named 'spine-jawed'?

Congratulations!

Jeff
by SurfinHerp
April 5th, 2017, 1:07 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2016 Year in review (Peruvian Amazon, Panama, Cuba, USA etc)
Replies: 8
Views: 7068

Re: 2016 Year in review (Peruvian Amazon, Panama, Cuba, USA

Just incredible diversity Matt! Too many awesome herps to comment on everything I liked. Those that stood out to me included the Amazon forest dragon, the coral pipe snake, the huge Cribo, the hatchling Florida kingsnake, and all the San Diego herps of course. Thanks for taking the time to put such ...
by SurfinHerp
March 30th, 2017, 9:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Orange County Herp BioBlitz on limited access lands
Replies: 8
Views: 6639

Re: Orange County Herp BioBlitz on limited access lands

Thanks for posting this Nate!

I plan to participate on Saturday 4/29 at least. Hopefully I can help on Sundays as well. I've already committed to the Torrey Pines State Reserve Earth Day event on Sat. 4/22 though.

Jeff
by SurfinHerp
March 20th, 2017, 11:04 am
Forum: News
Topic: Male Combat in C. helleri at local Ca. wetlands...
Replies: 3
Views: 5096

Re: Male Combat in C. helleri at local Ca. wetlands...

Thanks for sharing the story with the cool photos Craig!

I'm jealous of everyone who got to witness the combat dance. I've been out quite a bit lately hoping to catch some combat action on video. No luck yet...


Jeff
by SurfinHerp
March 14th, 2017, 4:43 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2017 LAEEF
Replies: 4
Views: 3749

Re: 2016 LAEEF

Thank you Nate and Keith for representing NAFHA at the event!

Looks like it was pretty busy there, and a lot of people got a chance to check out some of our native herps. I hope you had some fun too.

Cheers,

Jeff
by SurfinHerp
March 8th, 2017, 9:10 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Question / Poll : How Far do you move herps from roads?
Replies: 22
Views: 12067

Re: Question / Poll : How Far do you move herps from roads?

I don't stop for every herp I see on roads, but when I do stop I usually just move them a few feet off the road. I don't recall ever finding a herp I moved off the road to be DOR later on. I'd like to mention that, in California, it's illegal to place herps into containers and then release them late...
by SurfinHerp
February 27th, 2017, 8:38 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mystery Snake
Replies: 11
Views: 7345

Re: Mystery Snake

Dave Z. sent me a new photo of the mystery snake: http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k610/jnordland/mystery%20snake%20from%20Patterson%202_zpswvos5kjm.jpg It's apparently alive and well. Seems pretty clear to me that the mystery snake is probably just a white-sided Pituophis morph. The question sti...
by SurfinHerp
February 26th, 2017, 7:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mystery Snake
Replies: 11
Views: 7345

Re: Mystery Snake

I just did a Google search for snake breeders in Patterson, CA and came up with a hit. Someone named CJ is selling his business on a site called OfferUp. I sent him a message. Hopefully he'll reply. On the OfferUp site I saw a picture of reptile racks and the name of a website: freedombreeder.com I ...
by SurfinHerp
February 26th, 2017, 7:10 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mystery Snake
Replies: 11
Views: 7345

Re: Mystery Snake

That's a weird looking snake!

I think it looks like a white-sided gopher snake crossed with a coastal CA mountain kingsnake.

I'm very interested to learn more details about the snake. Is it still alive? If not, is the dead body in a freezer somewhere so a DNA sample can be taken?


Jeff
by SurfinHerp
February 15th, 2017, 2:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2016 Database Contest Results
Replies: 15
Views: 9947

2016 Database Contest Results

I took some time to compile the 2016 Contest Results. Congrats to Robert and Nicholas Hess! They had another fantastic year of herping and entering records :beer: Thanks to everyone who contributes to the HERP database! Let's keep up the good work this year. Jeff http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/...
by SurfinHerp
February 13th, 2017, 9:04 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Waiting for Herps - herping while staying still
Replies: 7
Views: 6443

Re: Waiting for Herps - herping while staying still

I like the second photo of the tree skink Jonathan! When I'm out hiking alone, I often look for spots with a wide view of prime habitat to sit down and take a break. Rock outcroppings near a stream are really good. Lizards tend to start coming out after only about 5 minutes of sitting down. Granite ...
by SurfinHerp
January 26th, 2017, 9:43 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: It never rains in Southern California (or does it?)
Replies: 3
Views: 3083

Re: It never rains in Southern California (or does it?)

The rains came through as forecast, and Nate's spadefoot breeding pond has really filled up well. I went there the other night and heard at least 5 or 6 spades croaking. There ought to be tadpoles swimming within a week or two.
by SurfinHerp
January 26th, 2017, 9:39 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: San Diego Help Request
Replies: 2
Views: 1678

Re: San Diego Help Request

Hi Ryan,

I sent you an email a minute ago with a couple of spots for you to consider. I doubt you'll find any alligators here in SD County, but you are almost guaranteed to find some alligator lizards while you're here. Kingsnakes shouldn't be too difficult either.

Regards,

Jeff
by SurfinHerp
January 23rd, 2017, 9:25 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2016 in Alta and Baja California
Replies: 12
Views: 10218

Re: 2016 in Alta and Baja California

What a great year Elliot!
Congrats on the County Records and range extension.
I can't get over the red and black gopher snake! That thing looks amazing.

Keep it up man!

Jeff
by SurfinHerp
January 18th, 2017, 6:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South of the border: A week in southern Sonora
Replies: 4
Views: 3767

Re: South of the border: A week in southern Sonora

Wow, so awesome - I want to see more!!
by SurfinHerp
January 10th, 2017, 8:48 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Summer finds so far, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa!
Replies: 3
Views: 2519

Re: Summer finds so far, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa!

Terrific photos, as usual, Nick - thanks for sharing!

I especially like the file snake, the chameleons, and the big monitors. The little spitter looks cool too.

Stay safe!

Jeff
by SurfinHerp
January 1st, 2017, 10:21 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2017 California Chapter President Nomination
Replies: 6
Views: 6175

Re: 2017 California Chapter President Nomination

Happy New Year guys! I was on vacation for the past two weeks and wasn't checking FHF. I just read all the recent posts about CA Chapter Officers, and I'm looking forward to serving as President! I'd like to serve at least two years, possibly more, if you'll have me. President Hinds leaves some big...
by SurfinHerp
January 1st, 2017, 9:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: It's been awhile! Year end review 2016 (CA, TX, AZ, and MX)
Replies: 4
Views: 3327

Re: It's been awhile! Year end review 2016 (CA, TX, AZ, and

Incredible post Chad! Love all the "poor photos". Congrats on all the lifers :beer: Your post got me thinking about something... Do you know if, when a salamander regrows a lost tail, the regenerated tail has colorations similar to the original? I don't think I've ever seen a salamander wi...
by SurfinHerp
December 6th, 2016, 8:43 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Advice breeding Hyspiglena torquata
Replies: 10
Views: 18926

Re: Advice breeding Hyspiglena torquata

Teddy, I have a San Diego night snake that I keep in an 8" round deli cup with EcoEarth coco fibers, some dried oak leaves, a piece of bark, and a couple of small sea shells to hide under. I keep it close to room temperature all the time, and maintain the substrate a little bit moist. The snake...
by SurfinHerp
December 6th, 2016, 7:02 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Santa Rosalia Rat Snake (Baja Rat)
Replies: 49
Views: 81899

Re: Santa Rosalia Rat Snake (Baja Rat)

Here's a list of people interested in the ratsnake search so far: myself (Jeff N.) lateralis Jimi G. Matt G. Jeremy W. Daniel S. That's a good start. A few more guys would be good. How do you guys feel about searching during the second half of May?? Like I said earlier, I'm planning to go there on M...
by SurfinHerp
December 3rd, 2016, 11:25 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Santa Rosalia Rat Snake (Baja Rat)
Replies: 49
Views: 81899

Re: Santa Rosalia Rat Snake (Baja Rat)

Cool Matt. Guns are welcome while searching that area. Like usual, I will contact the local Border Patrol and let them know what we're doing there.
by SurfinHerp
December 2nd, 2016, 11:40 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Santa Rosalia Rat Snake (Baja Rat)
Replies: 49
Views: 81899

Re: Santa Rosalia Rat Snake (Baja Rat)

I'm still down for a CA ratsnake search. Glad at least a couple of guys want to do it too! I've been discussing the search with a few other experienced herpers and have gotten some good info, but I'll only share that privately. In my opinion, the optimum time to plan a trip would be during the last ...
by SurfinHerp
November 28th, 2016, 2:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herp Photography 2016 - 1/3
Replies: 11
Views: 8376

Re: Herp Photography 2016 - 1/3

Awesome photos Porter! :beer:
by SurfinHerp
November 19th, 2016, 10:18 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2017 California Chapter Nominations Time
Replies: 20
Views: 16817

Re: 2017 California Chapter Nominations Time

I'd like to nominate Dave Zeldin for CA Chapter Secretary, and Nathan Smith for Education Specialist. Dave expressed interest in helping out more with NAFHA. He would be a great Secretary. I know Nate likes to do educational events since he and I have done a number of them together. I hope he will a...
by SurfinHerp
November 16th, 2016, 8:04 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2017 California Chapter Nominations Time
Replies: 20
Views: 16817

Re: 2017 California Chapter Nominations Time

Thanks for the nomination Mark.

I would be honored to be elected President of the Chapter.

I'll post a link to this important thread on the CA Chapter Facebook page in hopes of attracting more attention.


Jeff Nordland