Search found 551 matches

by Richard F. Hoyer
October 3rd, 2023, 11:07 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snake Shed ID
Replies: 3
Views: 2465

Re: Snake Shed ID

There are three species of garter snakes that likely occur in your area and all garter snakes have keeled scales as Paul Freed mentions. So if you saved the skin, with a hand lens you can see if the scales are keeled or smooth. The shape of those scales strongly suggests garter snake. The Rubber Boa...
by Richard F. Hoyer
September 29th, 2023, 9:44 am
Forum: Invertebrate Forum
Topic: Centruroides gracilis on Garden Key, Dry Tortugas
Replies: 2
Views: 1945

Re: Centruroides gracilis on Garden Key, Dry Tortugas

RC Too bad this forum seemingly has been vacated by many former viewers and contributors. Your post about Polistes dorsalis brought back an incident that happed to me a good number of years ago. In gathering nestling voles, shrew, and deer mice under artificial cover objects for feeding captive Rubb...
by Richard F. Hoyer
August 12th, 2023, 8:50 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Find your old posts and repost
Replies: 19
Views: 9989

Re: Find your old posts and repost

Porter, Two questions for you. What do you believe is the reason for what seems to be the mass exodus of viewers of this forum? What is your concern with the collecting of Mt. Kingsnakes and do you have the same concerns with the collection of other species of snakes such as the Common Kingsnake, Ru...
by Richard F. Hoyer
February 9th, 2023, 10:21 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: May 2022 - Part 2: California
Replies: 7
Views: 2715

Re: May 2022 - Part 2: California

Mark, I am still around. But during this time of year, I am mainly involved in falconry activities as was the case today. I was able to help an apprentice falconer have his immature female Red-tail snag its first quarry, a Dusky-footed Wood Rat. It was Brad Alexander and Charlie Heim (sp?) that foun...
by Richard F. Hoyer
August 3rd, 2022, 10:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Transient SoCal resident
Replies: 15
Views: 5053

Re: Transient SoCal resident

Vipera1234 From a very reliable and confidential source, I have been informed that the Dutch are not only lucky herpers, but are extremely skilled as well. That being the case, I am assigning you a couples of tasks while you are traveling up Hwy. 1 along the central California coast. While you are t...
by Richard F. Hoyer
July 1st, 2022, 4:12 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: May 2022 - Part 1: Oregon with Richard
Replies: 11
Views: 2433

Re: May 2022 - Part 1: Oregon with Richard

Porter, At the bottom of your message, you asked, “Is that something you would be interested in doing?” Basically, you were proposing doing some type of joint documentary. And I likely mentioned I was not interested in such. That is different from having someone come to make searches for snakes and ...
by Richard F. Hoyer
July 1st, 2022, 4:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: May 2022 - Part 1: Oregon with Richard
Replies: 11
Views: 2433

Re: May 2022 - Part 1: Oregon with Richard

The twenty one boas encountered locally on May 3rd represents a very mediocre result. The temperature was only 53 when we started and was 57 when we took break for lunch. Conditions were far more favorable on May 4th, sunny and 64 degrees, when we made searches as two of my former study sites at Hya...
by Richard F. Hoyer
June 19th, 2022, 8:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mountain Kingsnakes Climbing Trees?
Replies: 10
Views: 2138

Re: Mountain Kingsnakes Climbing Trees?

Earlier today, a herper in Bend, Oregon sent me a photo of a Rubber Boa climbing in some woody brush in central Oregon. I was able to copy the photo to myslef but I don't know how to copy it to this forum post.

Richard F. Hoyer

Inline image
by Richard F. Hoyer
June 16th, 2022, 9:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mountain Kingsnakes Climbing Trees?
Replies: 10
Views: 2138

Re: Mountain Kingsnakes Climbing Trees?

Cot,
My youngest son Ryan lives in Genola, Utah. He is a herper and once was president of the Utah Herp. organization. He has a web site on the Rubber Boa you might wish to visit. www. Ruibberboas.com

Richard F. Hoyer
by Richard F. Hoyer
June 16th, 2022, 9:46 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mountain Kingsnakes Climbing Trees?
Replies: 10
Views: 2138

Re: Mountain Kingsnakes Climbing Trees?

Cot, The species of snake in your hand also is a decent climber. I recall reading a note somewhere of a Rubber Boa being found up in the rafters of a cabin in Yosemite Nat. Park. Individual living in Skamania, Washington contacted me having found Rubber Boas in their attic. And in the 1970’s I was c...
by Richard F. Hoyer
January 12th, 2022, 8:34 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NW Oregon Banana Belt
Replies: 4
Views: 2129

Re: NW Oregon Banana Belt

Mark, Rained up through Jan. 8th. Totally overcast on the 9th, 10th, and 11th here in Corvallis with highs of 39, 46, 54 respectively. Started out mostly sunny today and the ‘official’ high was 55. I headed out at around 2 with my pickup thermometer showing 58 degrees. Got out to my former Common Sh...
by Richard F. Hoyer
December 30th, 2021, 10:50 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: I'm new to San Luis Obispo herping...
Replies: 2
Views: 1033

Re: I'm new to San Luis Obispo herping...

rms1111 Be advised that certain students from the greater San Diego region have been entered into a required winter and spring term field herpetology course, Sfcb -101, and Sfcb - 102. My information indicates you have been one of the students to have been enrolled in the winter and spring term sequ...
by Richard F. Hoyer
December 15th, 2021, 3:13 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Oregon's horned lizards
Replies: 8
Views: 1630

Re: Oregon's horned lizards

mrfrasier'
Nice report. During my field efforts on the Rubber Boa at Fort Rock State Perk, ever so often I would encounter a pigmy horned lizard.

Richard F. Hoyer (Corvallis, Oregon)
by Richard F. Hoyer
December 2nd, 2021, 10:12 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NW Oregon Banana Belt
Replies: 4
Views: 2129

NW Oregon Banana Belt

During the month of December, is very uncommon to have conditions of temperature and sunshine suitable for making searches for reptiles in NW Oregon. Perhaps about 20 years ago I was able to make successful searched locally during December. On Nov. 30th, the high for the day was about 66 but totally...
by Richard F. Hoyer
November 18th, 2021, 11:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Field Herping has begun for our Amphibious Little Friends
Replies: 3
Views: 1036

Re: Field Herping has begun for our Amphibious Little Friends

Porter, I concur. But I would also believe that in Calif., especially southern California and along the California coast, the season for encountering reptiles also continues. Here in northwestern Oregon, on Nov. 14th, which was totally overcast and 64 degrees, at one site I came across one juvenile ...
by Richard F. Hoyer
October 14th, 2021, 8:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Snake headscale diagram request?
Replies: 23
Views: 5821

Re: Snake headscale diagram request?

For snake head scale information, try the Sebbin's 'Western Reptiles and Amphibian Field Guide'. A diagrram of snake head scalation is just inside the back cover.

Richard F. Hoyer
by Richard F. Hoyer
April 30th, 2021, 10:23 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: laying cover for ringnecks
Replies: 7
Views: 4616

Re: laying cover for ringnecks

Jeff, Jonathan, Thanks for the garter snake ID information. Next time I am down in coastal Monterey and northwestern San Luis Obispo Counties, I may try identifying the garter snakes I encounter. At one spot in Monterey Co., one poor garter snake was being mobbed, molested, and bullied by 4 or 5 oth...
by Richard F. Hoyer
April 28th, 2021, 9:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: laying cover for ringnecks
Replies: 7
Views: 4616

Re: laying cover for ringnecks

Jonathan, I have no experience with observing Ringneck Snakes under carpet. Most of the Ringneck Snakes I have encountered have been either under the artificial cover I have set out (thin plywood /roofing tin) or under junk discarded by humans. I have encountered a smaller number of the species unde...
by Richard F. Hoyer
December 26th, 2020, 9:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 'Twas the night before herping
Replies: 33
Views: 32872

Re: 'Twas the night before herping

T'was 19 day before Christmas, that being the sixth of December,
I went afield to make searches, the results I will forever remember.

Despite the overcast skies, rain, and it being 54 degrees cold,
Under a small piece of black carpet, was a hatchling Contia tenuis to behold.

RFH (Corvallis, Oregon)
by Richard F. Hoyer
July 26th, 2020, 7:42 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: RFI. Bend, OR
Replies: 1
Views: 2014

Re: RFI. Bend, OR

T.H. I am from Corvallis so can’t really help you as far as herping in the Bend area. One of my former Rubber Boa study site is southeast of Bend and La Pine in the Christmas Valley region that I could direct you to but it is about a 1 1/2 drive from Bend. And then August hardly the best time of yea...
by Richard F. Hoyer
June 29th, 2020, 7:33 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping SE Sierras report
Replies: 3
Views: 4535

Re: Herping SE Sierras report

Very nice narrative and photos. Richard FH
by Richard F. Hoyer
June 18th, 2020, 2:51 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping SE Sierras this weekend
Replies: 2
Views: 2423

Re: Herping SE Sierras this weekend

Zeevng, As a matter of fact, I did seen Richard earlier this morning before he left to go herping. The one time I did get a brief glimpse of him was when he was shaving and I was able to see him in the mirror. He then just disappeared from view and I haven’t seen him since. As for the research on C....
by Richard F. Hoyer
June 12th, 2020, 10:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Mattress - An ongoing thread of stories from the field
Replies: 59
Views: 45719

Re: The Mattress - An ongoing thread of stories from the field

Porter, Not certain what you consider as ideal temperatures and weather conditions for making searches at this time of year in your area. Here in the Willamette Valley of western Oregon, by this time in June, it is normally in the 70s and low 80s and mostly sunny and dry. If I get out in the morning...
by Richard F. Hoyer
June 11th, 2020, 9:51 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Mattress - An ongoing thread of stories from the field
Replies: 59
Views: 45719

Re: The Mattress - An ongoing thread of stories from the field

Porter, I see you must be slowing down some noting a Rubber Boa escaped out of its skin before you could retain it. They are so quick. Hah! Your experience at trusting individuals and then later finding some of your sites disturbed undoubtedly has been experienced by many other herpers including mys...
by Richard F. Hoyer
May 12th, 2020, 9:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Southern Oregon (Jackson Co) - past few weeks
Replies: 2
Views: 2910

Re: Southern Oregon (Jackson Co) - past few weeks

Your alligator lizard looks to be a SAL and not a NAL.

Richard FH
by Richard F. Hoyer
May 5th, 2020, 12:43 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Southern Oregon
Replies: 5
Views: 3735

Re: Southern Oregon

George, My efforts have centered on encountering the Rubber Boa, Common Sharp-tailed Snake and Forest Sharp-tailed Snake in southwestern Oregon. In that process, I have encountered both species if kingsnakes, Racers, Gopher Snakes, 3 or 4 species of garter snakes, some lizards, one Black Salamander ...
by Richard F. Hoyer
May 3rd, 2020, 9:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Southern Oregon
Replies: 5
Views: 3735

Re: Southern Oregon

What species are interested in observing?

Richard F. Hoyer (Corvallis, Oregon)
by Richard F. Hoyer
February 1st, 2020, 9:51 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Yearly winter report from NW Oregon
Replies: 3
Views: 2105

Re: Yearly winter report from NW Oregon

Mark, During my four trips to Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties last year, I did find a few spots with some A/C. In Monterey County, I observed a S. All. Lizard under a tin. I got permission to make searches under some tarp materials and observed a gopher snake and garter snake. At a different s...
by Richard F. Hoyer
January 31st, 2020, 10:47 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Northern Rubber Boa Elevations
Replies: 5
Views: 3141

Re: Northern Rubber Boa Elevations

Dr. Glenn Stewart contacted me the other day asking about the lowest elevation I have observed the Rubber Boa in the Sierras. I have done very little searching in the main Sierras. The lowest elevation I have found the species has been a mile north of Burney at near 3200 ft. But Glenn indicated that...
by Richard F. Hoyer
January 26th, 2020, 11:41 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Yearly winter report from NW Oregon
Replies: 3
Views: 2105

Yearly winter report from NW Oregon

Friday and Saturday in the Willamette Valley of northwestern Oregon had high temperatures of about 57 – 58 degrees. Both days had some partial sunshine along with some scattered showers. It was a few degree cooler today but again with some partial sunshine. I thus went out early this afternoon to se...
by Richard F. Hoyer
January 3rd, 2020, 10:10 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NW Oregon in November
Replies: 8
Views: 3660

Re: NW Oregon in November

Jimi, My reference to boa stench was meant to be in jest. Sorry if I mislead. With now knowing the type of habitat and elevations where the boa has been observed in both Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties, my guess is the boa likely has a continuous distribution from Carmel south into the northwe...
by Richard F. Hoyer
January 1st, 2020, 12:02 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NW Oregon in November
Replies: 8
Views: 3660

Re: NW Oregon in November

Jimi, Regardless of which highway your group takes to get to Morro Bay (46, 41, or 101), you will have to pass through a shallow range of mountains so this message is for a word of caution. Rubber Boas have reportedly been observed to the south along a tributary of Lopez Creek that lead in to Lopez ...
by Richard F. Hoyer
December 20th, 2019, 1:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NW Oregon in November
Replies: 8
Views: 3660

Re: NW Oregon in November

Mark, As of the end of May, 2018, my samples of the Rubber Boa from Mt. Pinos, the Tehachapi Mts., Breckenridge Mt. and Southern Kern Plateau were large enough to organize the data and prepare a manuscript. Thus my effort towards making searches in those regions of Calif. has now ended. In preparing...
by Richard F. Hoyer
November 18th, 2019, 9:34 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Montana Milksnake
Replies: 3
Views: 2226

Re: Montana Milksnake

Very, very nice Austin.

Richard F. Hoyer (Corvallis, Oregon)
by Richard F. Hoyer
November 12th, 2019, 11:02 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NW Oregon in November
Replies: 8
Views: 3660

NW Oregon in November

Here in NW Oregon, November is usually gloomy, cold, and wet so seldom are there opportunities to search for reptiles at this time of year. But yesterday was an exception. On my way to an 11 AM doctor’s appointment, I noted is was balmy outside, 60 degrees, and with clear, sunny skies. So around 2 P...
by Richard F. Hoyer
September 6th, 2019, 9:55 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Intro and question re magnesium chloride
Replies: 9
Views: 13193

Re: Intro and question re magnesium chloride

Whitman, Interesting observation. As you likely have learned in your web searches, MgCl-2 has toxic properties. Have you identified the length of time it takes for the chemical to ‘dissipate’ or degrade to the point that it no longer act as a barrier to snakes which then began to cross those roads? ...
by Richard F. Hoyer
August 30th, 2019, 10:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: SF Bay Area Rubber boa Herping Advice?
Replies: 5
Views: 18383

Re: SF Bay Area Rubber boa Herping Advice?

Yani, There are several herpers that at one time, have been participants on this forum that are knowledgeable about finding herps in the Santa Cruz Mts. of San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara Counties. Zach Lim is one such herper. He now lives in Atlanta and not certain if he frequents this forum...
by Richard F. Hoyer
August 15th, 2019, 6:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Charina bottae distribution
Replies: 12
Views: 26788

Re: Charina bottae distribution

RenoBart, Thanks for the links. The last link that shows the boa on Valencia Peak in Montana de Oro State Park and found by Steve Schubert in 2010 I have known about since that time. Later that month Steve visited with me here in Corvallis. The links to the first two sighting are new to me. So the s...
by Richard F. Hoyer
August 15th, 2019, 11:30 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Charina bottae distribution
Replies: 12
Views: 26788

Re: Charina bottae distribution

For the third time this season, on August 7th and 8th, I visited the central Calif. coast in my quest to learn more about the distribution of the Rubber Boa in Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties. This time, I spoke to 48 – 50 individuals during those two days. I encountered one woman, a long time...
by Richard F. Hoyer
July 17th, 2019, 4:57 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: SnakeDays 2019
Replies: 1
Views: 10497

Re: SnakeDays 2019

Yesterday, I was informed by a fellow falconer that July 16th was annual snake day. I looked it up on a Google search and sure enough, July 16th was annual snake day for the past several years. And it seems everyone else here missed out. I barely had time to get out into bonnies, find, and hug a sna...
by Richard F. Hoyer
July 15th, 2019, 5:17 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Charina bottae distribution
Replies: 12
Views: 26788

Re: Charina bottae distribution

Fieldherper, Where Rubber Boas have been observed in Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties has given me a decent idea of the types of habitats and elevations where the species exists in those counties. In a capsule, boas have been observed at both low elevations at near sea level and higher elevatio...
by Richard F. Hoyer
July 15th, 2019, 1:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Charina bottae distribution
Replies: 12
Views: 26788

Re: Charina bottae distribution

Craigb. I know of only three individuals that acquired small samples of the Rubber Boa towards publishing results. Dr. John Cunningham in 1966, then at UCLA, published a note on the S. Rubber Boa that mainly dealt with taxonomy but included some life history observations. For his PhD research at Ida...
by Richard F. Hoyer
July 14th, 2019, 9:11 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Charina bottae distribution
Replies: 12
Views: 26788

Charina bottae distribution

I am aware that the following has very limited interest but decided to post it anyway. 1) Earlier this year, I received a second-hand report that individuals with the Nevada Wildlife Agency had documented a Rubber Boa in the White Mountains in Nevada. Has anyone on the forum heard about that discove...
by Richard F. Hoyer
April 25th, 2019, 10:36 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Range extensions in Marin?
Replies: 28
Views: 34747

Re: Range extensions in Marin?

Kookamongus, I had overlooked your post relating to the Sharp-tailed Snake in Marin County. The following is a clarification with respect to the two species of Contia. With respect to distribution, the Forest Sharp-tailed Snake has been documented in Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and San Mateo Counties i...
by Richard F. Hoyer
January 30th, 2019, 10:56 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Start of 2019 field season
Replies: 8
Views: 8966

Re: Start of 2019 field season

Bill, I am not into herping amphibians but merely ecounter frogs, toads, and salamanders incidental to my field efforts with snakes. But here on the west coast, amphibitans can be found all months of the year despending on species and localities being searched. This is particularly true I believe fo...
by Richard F. Hoyer
January 30th, 2019, 8:50 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Start of 2019 field season
Replies: 8
Views: 8966

Start of 2019 field season

Yesterday, Jan. 29., I observed one adult male Rubber Boa and four Common Sharp-tailed Snakes. Every years since 1971, my field season, here in northwestern Oregon, has begun during the months of January or February.

Richard F. Hoyer (Corvallis, Oregon)
by Richard F. Hoyer
January 11th, 2019, 10:42 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2018 End of Year, End of Flickr, & On to Video - the sequel
Replies: 12
Views: 6865

Re: 2018 End of Year, End of Flickr, & On to Video - the seq

Kelly, Porter, In reviewing may mental notes, I recall observing some juvenile C. tenuis coiled in grass or on the small gravel piles I use as capture sites. So one explanation for observing C. tenuis on the surface is where the species occurs in high densities. I recall having two other reports of ...
by Richard F. Hoyer
January 10th, 2019, 9:50 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2018 End of Year, End of Flickr, & On to Video - the sequel
Replies: 12
Views: 6865

Re: 2018 End of Year, End of Flickr, & On to Video - the seq

Porter, I am not certain if I have ever observed a Sharp-tailed Snake on the surface. But because they occur in grassland habitat without any natural cover objects under which to thermo-regulate, it stands to reason the species would coil up in grass to do so. I know they do come to the surface at t...
by Richard F. Hoyer
January 8th, 2019, 9:11 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2018 End of Year, End of Flickr, & On to Video - the sequel
Replies: 12
Views: 6865

Re: 2018 End of Year, End of Flickr, & On to Video - the seq

Porter,
Unforutnately, my computer will not show all of your photographs. But what does come up are very nice. Thanks for sharing.

Richard F. Hoyer
by Richard F. Hoyer
January 3rd, 2019, 8:45 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: old story about taxonomic adventure
Replies: 9
Views: 7740

Re: old story about taxonomic adventure

dendrelaphis,
Forest Sharp-tailed Snakie (Contia longicauda)

Richard FH