Search found 400 matches

by stlouisdude
March 27th, 2024, 6:45 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Leptophis ahaetulla
Replies: 2
Views: 333

Re: Leptophis ahaetulla

No idea. If it's an adult maybe try quail eggs and qual chicks? Personally, I don't keep anything that reqiures lizards for anything other than hatchings that can quickly transition to something else. It's too much of a headache and ime is a dead end as far as the hobby goes.
by stlouisdude
January 15th, 2024, 6:48 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Looking for advice - How should I heat and light this custom tank?
Replies: 1
Views: 5174

Re: Looking for advice - How should I heat and light this custom tank?

Just noticed this and I am sure you figured something out, but i use radiant heat panels from reptile basics. They are more expensive than cheaper ways to heat an enclosure but I think they are better for snakes. I would connect it to a good thermostat, either a herpstat or a ranco etc (you can buy ...
by stlouisdude
January 6th, 2024, 6:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: May 2023, The All-South Epic Brother Trip, Part 1/2 (Texas)
Replies: 2
Views: 1528

Re: May 2023, The All-South Epic Brother Trip, Part 1/2 (Texas)

A goold old fashioned road trip is tough to beat. Glad you had a great time and yes a bus ride states side is something I hope to largely leave in the past!
by stlouisdude
December 12th, 2023, 4:30 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2023 Year in Review: Caudates
Replies: 5
Views: 3818

Re: 2023 Year in Review: Caudates

The green is really cool. That's a species I'd like to search for one day.
by stlouisdude
October 29th, 2023, 12:43 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spending first week of November in Cincinnati?
Replies: 3
Views: 1997

Re: Spending first week of November in Cincinnati?

I like your odds with salamanders in TN. Your odds in OH, ehhhhhhhh.
by stlouisdude
September 25th, 2023, 3:53 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Central Mass Hoggie
Replies: 4
Views: 2606

Re: Central Mass Hoggie

I have not found a very effecient way of finding the hognose snakes. It seems to be rather hit or miss. If you find a way to consistently locate them, let me know. My efforts have been limited to just looking around habitat I know they are in and hoping for the best.
by stlouisdude
September 23rd, 2023, 11:29 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Central Mass Hoggie
Replies: 4
Views: 2606

Re: Central Mass Hoggie

We may have been at the same place lol I found a young hog and an eastern milk at a well known scrub Oak forest in central MA Friday. I found those within about 15 minutes then spent the next two hours wandering around aimlessly and finding nothing. It was not very warm and so the racers seemed to n...
by stlouisdude
August 21st, 2023, 4:57 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Arizona Trip
Replies: 4
Views: 2074

Re: Arizona Trip

There are a number of mistaken beliefs out there which are widely present, especially in people who are new to fishing, herping, etc., that everyone is out to get their spots, that poachers are hiding around every corner, etc. What it really comes down is a need to feel self-important. Some people e...
by stlouisdude
June 22nd, 2023, 6:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: DENVER, CO info please
Replies: 2
Views: 1902

Re: DENVER, CO info please

I've never been herping in CO, sorry. Have you looked for species you're interested in on inaturalist? Should give you some good ideas where to search.
by stlouisdude
April 29th, 2023, 11:25 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A few Northeast Herps
Replies: 2
Views: 1767

Re: A few Northeast Herps

I went out again to have a look. Found a wood turtle leaving a stream and some spotted salamanders under a log at a small woodland pond.
by stlouisdude
April 16th, 2023, 12:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A few Northeast Herps
Replies: 2
Views: 1767

A few Northeast Herps

I've begun my spring hiking in Northeast USA. While not really looking for them, I tend to find a lot of barred owls while poking around wetlands and they are always a welcomed treat. The first salamander flipped of the year was a four toed salamander. I spent some time walking the mossy edges of a ...
by stlouisdude
April 1st, 2023, 5:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Intro for New Member and Question for Anza Borrego
Replies: 4
Views: 2194

Re: Intro for New Member and Question for Anza Borrego

No help with CA but I do quite of bit of herping in New England and sometimes NYS. Welcome to the forum. Lots of amphibians migrating in New england right now. Found some four toed salamanders this morning.
by stlouisdude
November 17th, 2022, 5:59 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Inquiries on Oklahoma
Replies: 2
Views: 1803

Re: Inquiries on Oklahoma

I do not have much experience with OK but May should be a good time of year.
by stlouisdude
October 20th, 2022, 2:35 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Northern New Hampshire
Replies: 2
Views: 7725

Re: Northern New Hampshire

I like Pittsburg and Errol. I've had good luck in both areas.
by stlouisdude
September 29th, 2022, 1:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Beginner herper: any advice?
Replies: 1
Views: 976

Re: Beginner herper: any advice?

No help for Maryland specifically but snakes are among the easiest animals to find once you recognize their habits. In much of the US, you can find snakes by looking under cover objects which are exposed to some sunlight (sometimes it works even if there is no sunlight, especially for smaller specie...
by stlouisdude
June 12th, 2022, 1:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Worth going on a herping trip in July?
Replies: 2
Views: 760

Re: Worth going on a herping trip in July?

You can find timber rattlesnakes in the summer that is not a problem. Try looking in and around rock crevices in suitable habitat. With some creative searching, you can probably find a known locality which will help increase the odds of finding one. Try not to get frustrated, you can spend a lot of ...
by stlouisdude
May 5th, 2022, 4:12 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Recommendations for Snake Cage Sellers
Replies: 4
Views: 3180

Re: Recommendations for Snake Cage Sellers

I don't know anything about pythons so I cannot comment on the size. For large colubrids, I have purchased cages from animal plastics and boamaster. Animal plastics cages were priced well, light weight, hold up very well. I liked them a lot and they stack well with stacking pins. Boamaster I bought ...
by stlouisdude
May 4th, 2022, 9:18 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Massachusetts Amphibian Madness
Replies: 3
Views: 941

Re: Massachusetts Amphibian Madness

I will be out looking for spring salamanders again this year. The place I go doesn't produce every trip, so it may take more than one try to find one. Let me know if you're interested in joining.
by stlouisdude
May 1st, 2022, 3:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring is in full swing
Replies: 1
Views: 1495

Spring is in full swing

I have been out hiking the last two weekends in Massachusetts. The weather has been really nice. I found some turtles, hawks, owls, and I've seen a few mammals but other than beavers they were gone before I could get any pics. Hope everyone is having a great spring.
by stlouisdude
March 27th, 2022, 12:11 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Defining Naturalistic
Replies: 74
Views: 94277

Re: Defining Naturalistic

I used to be a tub guy and the animals did fine and bred that way, but to be honest I don't want to keep animals that way anymore. It may work for them, but it doesn't work for me. Once they have clean fecals at least twice and exit quarantine, I want to put them in an environment where they can exp...
by stlouisdude
March 27th, 2022, 12:04 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Short Feeding Vid
Replies: 2
Views: 3445

Re: Short Feeding Vid

You need more toads :)
by stlouisdude
March 27th, 2022, 11:48 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: RFI. Table Rock Lake, MO. area
Replies: 1
Views: 741

Re: RFI. Table Rock Lake, MO. area

Can't help you with table rock specifically but May is usually the best month for me finding colubrids in MO. Looking for flat rocks in open fields or even small opening in forests should be productive. If you're coming later in the summer, it might be better to focus on pit vipers. Late June/July g...
by stlouisdude
February 18th, 2022, 5:20 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping the Earth - Field herpetological videos
Replies: 7
Views: 3227

Re: Herping the Earth - Field herpetological videos

These videos are really good.
by stlouisdude
January 23rd, 2022, 7:06 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Invert Feeder Cultures
Replies: 2
Views: 3591

Re: Invert Feeder Cultures

I've raised most of the popular ones. I must admit I enjoyed it also. When I was a kid, I did it because I really couldn't afford to pay pet store prices (bait shops were slightly cheaper) but soon learned it was fun and does require a little skill and know how too. I'll give my .02 on culturing var...
by stlouisdude
November 7th, 2021, 7:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Tips for finding Salamanders in AR
Replies: 4
Views: 933

Re: Tips for finding Salamanders in AR

I have not looked for ringed salamanders in AR but I have in MO and I imagine their behavior is the same in both states. I found them by looking in and around ponds during the breeding season, especially on rainy nights. You may flip one outside of that flipping in likely areas or sometimes they may...
by stlouisdude
September 23rd, 2021, 12:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Tips for 2 week florida holiday / herping trip may
Replies: 2
Views: 2259

Re: Tips for 2 week florida holiday / herping trip may

Unfortunately I do not know Florida very well to help you. However, I've taken a few trips there and depending on your expectations you may be quite happy with what you can find. I mean Florida is really a different kind of place than a lot of the US so much of this depends on your frame of referenc...
by stlouisdude
June 13th, 2021, 2:02 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Northern New Hampshire
Replies: 2
Views: 7725

Northern New Hampshire

Took a drive and stayed the night in Northern New Hampshire and drove around again the next morning. Very good area for mammals in the East. Deer, fox, Moose, black bear were seen.
by stlouisdude
May 11th, 2021, 5:44 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Ghost traps
Replies: 8
Views: 5397

Re: Ghost traps

We need land preservation on a massive scale and it would be a nice touch is people would follow the rules while visiting those places.
by stlouisdude
May 8th, 2021, 3:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Ghost traps
Replies: 8
Views: 5397

Re: Ghost traps

You could put up a cheap trail camera and see who it is if truly interested. I've never come across a illegitimate pitfall trap yet and I hope I never do. It is concerning that someone might do such a thing without proper permits and especially that they may just leave such a thing in place once the...
by stlouisdude
March 10th, 2021, 4:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping the pine barrens
Replies: 1
Views: 2311

Re: Herping the pine barrens

It's too far of a drive for me so I've never been. Hopefully someone PM'd you some suggestions. If not, I can only offer the same advice I use everywhere I go. Google search the various places of interest plus name of target species. Sometimes you may get lucky and get some specific advice or photos...
by stlouisdude
February 18th, 2021, 11:11 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South Florida
Replies: 7
Views: 5211

Re: South Florida

kingsnakeman You won't have to try very hard to find wildlife in S.Florida. I could hardly believe the amount of animals everywhere from birds to alligators to lizards. Since you're living down there might consider something like snorkeling with the sharks too. The only thing I didn't like was the j...
by stlouisdude
February 13th, 2021, 8:16 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Manatees
Replies: 1
Views: 6393

Manatees

Stopped by a good place to see manatees the other day. Blue Springs State Park, I think it's about an hour from Orlando.
by stlouisdude
February 11th, 2021, 6:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Mud snakes, and Rainbows
Replies: 9
Views: 5680

Re: Mud snakes, and Rainbows

Ya if legal, you could do the old pool noodles and zip ties to keep the snakes from drowning during heavy rains. You'll also get a lot of amphbians in the traps (sirens, etc) so you'll need to constantly check on them and release the animals and you may have to release a cottonmouth so you might wan...
by stlouisdude
November 25th, 2020, 6:57 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South Florida
Replies: 7
Views: 5211

Re: South Florida

Hi Bill, I'll be in Miami but I have a car. Not really any target species I don't suppose. Just figured I'd hit a list of interesting sites while I'm there. Curious if anyone has any favorite activities/places/tours for both wild and captive animals in the area. I'm living in the Northeast right now...
by stlouisdude
November 25th, 2020, 2:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South Florida
Replies: 7
Views: 5211

South Florida

Going to be in South Florida for a few days starting Dec 10th. Any good suggestions for animal encounters down there both herps and otherwise? I know there's lots of places one can visit so trying to come up with a few viable choices that I can work in over 3-4 days.
by stlouisdude
August 30th, 2020, 7:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Golden Guide
Replies: 11
Views: 4614

Re: Golden Guide

I don't know if I had that one. The first one I remember really reading cover to cover was the audubon one. I actually still have that one.
by stlouisdude
August 17th, 2020, 12:10 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Kansas in late August or mid September?
Replies: 11
Views: 6032

Re: Kansas in late August or mid September?

Never been to Kansas so can't help you there. I have herped all over MO though. July and August are hot and dry generally. Those months I mostly look for pit vipers in rock crevices mid morning or on the crawl around dusk. late april, May and September are good for flipping. June things start to hea...
by stlouisdude
June 15th, 2020, 2:58 pm
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Porcupine
Replies: 0
Views: 10070

Porcupine

Came across this guy resting in a tree. I've always thought they are really cool animals and don't seem too bothered by my presence. Quabbin Reservoir in MA
by stlouisdude
May 11th, 2020, 11:21 am
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Melanistic morphs?
Replies: 23
Views: 29908

Re: Melanistic morphs?

Think someone mentioned gray squirrels can take on a dark appearance
IMG_0637.JPG
. Saw some today.
IMG_0637.JPG
by stlouisdude
May 10th, 2020, 7:34 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring in MA
Replies: 0
Views: 6240

Spring in MA

I had some trips planned this spring which unfortunately were canceled, but at least the weather has been nice for hiking.

I came across a couple of interesting items the past two weeks. A really red redbacked salamander and a spotted turtle.
by stlouisdude
May 10th, 2020, 5:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Bolivia - Snake ID Help
Replies: 7
Views: 3310

Re: Bolivia - Snake ID Help

First one looks like one of the tricolor hognose snakes
by stlouisdude
May 10th, 2020, 5:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping in New Hampshire
Replies: 3
Views: 3199

Re: Herping in New Hampshire

I am in MA so probably not that much different than you. The same things will work there. For aquatic turtles, I like to use binoculars so I can see them before they take off. I have seen a lot of watersnakes that way too. For the timbers, check rock crevices, ledges, etc. Literring is illegal so I ...
by stlouisdude
March 23rd, 2019, 7:18 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Rare Mountain Snakes in Hong Kong
Replies: 12
Views: 18200

Re: Rare Mountain Snakes in Hong Kong

What are the temps up there in the coldest and hottest times of year?
by stlouisdude
March 23rd, 2019, 7:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Ecuador Herping Suggestions
Replies: 7
Views: 9817

Re: Ecuador Herping Suggestions

Mindo is a cool town and the lizard with the long nose is there, but overall I saw more frogs and basilisks than snakes. Amazing birds of course.
by stlouisdude
December 2nd, 2018, 9:20 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: trip report Yucatan Peninsula
Replies: 8
Views: 10785

Re: trip report Yucatan Peninsula

Great photos and trip report.
by stlouisdude
August 24th, 2018, 6:17 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Law Enforcement Showed Up
Replies: 38
Views: 31734

Re: Law Enforcement Showed Up

No experience in CA, but in the states I've been herping, Law enforcement has not been bothersome at all. I've had state and local police stop to see why Im along a roadside, but they didn't mind that I was looking for snakes. I've had a game warden check my trunk, glance around, or glove box before...
by stlouisdude
August 17th, 2018, 6:11 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Law Enforcement Showed Up
Replies: 38
Views: 31734

Re: Law Enforcement Showed Up

LEOs wouldn't have any way to tell if you have a snake boxed up for keeping or to turn loose later, I think at that point you're just in possession either way so make sure whatever you have is legal. I actually think turning it loose later might be worse because now you've exposed it to foreign too...
by stlouisdude
August 16th, 2018, 8:04 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Law Enforcement Showed Up
Replies: 38
Views: 31734

Re: Law Enforcement Showed Up

LEOs wouldn't have any way to tell if you have a snake boxed up for keeping or to turn loose later, I think at that point you're just in possession either way so make sure whatever you have is legal. I actually think turning it loose later might be worse because now you've exposed it to foreign tool...
by stlouisdude
November 24th, 2017, 1:15 pm
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Snakes and Snake Hunting -Kauffeld
Replies: 0
Views: 12270

Snakes and Snake Hunting -Kauffeld

A classic must read. I have a copy I am willing to part with for 25USD shipped in USA, message me for International. I have read it many times so decided to let someone else get a copy at a reasonable price. Shoot me a message if any FHF members want it, otherwise I'll put it up at a slightly higher...