We’ve got a stretch with lows in the freezing range coming up which seems to mean a sharp drop off in activity. I may still see anurans out, but I’m not expecting a ton more snakes. I seem to find a lot less in December/January/February
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It’s in the 40s here in San Antonio. I think my patchnose is my last snake of the season. I’ll still keep looking tho xD
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Of course! Besides there’s still birds and mammals to go find.
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I lost a ribbon snake and a lifer Texas tan Tarantula today but totally made up for it by flipping this guy. Talk about a 2025 buzzer beater
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Probably my first true herping day ever!
Gotta say it went amazing!
Smooth snake: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/348327059
Up next, some Eastern Sloworms: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/348326863
A classic Grass Snake, https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/348326871
Some green lizards as well (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/348326877) making this day a gorgeous one 
without mentioning the other highlights, the butterflies, flowers and birds!
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i’m incredibly happy about my first snake find (hence the profile picture)
i’ve been herping for two years and i finally found my first snake. i’m probably going to be over the moon about it for the rest of the year. they really are elusive. i found it on easter too and it was very well-camouflaged. and saw an owl in broad daylight being harassed by a hawk shortly after. another first. i named the snake jesus lol
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Despite media hype that rattlesnakes are more prevalent in Southern California this spring, I saw 0 on my recent trip there; only some sidewinder tracks (which, to be fair, are really cool).
Was pretty stoked to achieve my California Uma trifecta, though, by finally seeing Uma notata! Also got good looks at Uma scoparia, and some footage of one.
Congrats! Which species?
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Unintentional herping, as this frog showed up on its own will on the very pillow I was going to use. Its a Chunam Tree Frog, I later found out, and I had to gently lift the pillow towards the window so that it could go back to the trees.
P.S. this wasn’t in my house, just a cottage very close to the woods.
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I was at this lake this weekend https://maps.app.goo.gl/zna6tGNQXwDQ99A19 . I was there from 1:45 PM to 3:00 PM. I walked along the shore, carefully examining the tall yellow grass. The only thing I saw were the tails of water snakes (grass snakes/Natrix species) slithering into the water.
Should I go earlier to find the snakes? Or was I looking in the wrong direction?
I was looking for snakes basking on the shore, not swimming. The weather was cloudy, the temperature was about 15°C. The grass was tall, so they may have seen me before I saw them. Any tips on time of day, technique, or how to approach them without scaring them off and take photos?
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Low and slow
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I moved the above two posts from their own topic to this one.
@ksenosnake I’m not familiar with that area or taxa, but when looking for Thamnophis, which are also aquatic/semi-aquatic, I find it best to go on sunny days during the morning hours. At this point the snakes are out to bask, but not warm enough to be super active. They’re less likely to dash away.
Keep in mind, though, that finding and photographing snakes is hard, at least in my experience, and especially if you don’t want to disturb them or their habitat. It takes a lot of patience and often multiple trips.
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I really want to get into herping, any good starter suggestions? I mostly want to get better at Id and finding them. (I’m mostly interested in snakes)
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southern pacific!
also it’s really cool that you found sidewinder tracks. that’s definitely on my socal desert herping bucket list
fellow 15 y/o herper here, my biggest advice is to not overlook books. they have information on local taxa that can actually be pretty difficult to find online. also a lot of people suggest flipping rocks but depending on what critters you have there it can be a pretty dangerous method. i’d avoid it until you have more experience spotting dangerous animals. but that’s just my opinion. also, in my experience, identifying herps on inat can help train your eyes to look for those animals in the wild, so don’t be shy with that. good luck man!
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They’re quite common, I just ended up not lucking out. I squatted right over a baby in Nevada. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/8274757
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