Where to field herp in florida?

[Akuma223]

Hello all, I'd like to plan a vacation this summer to go down to Florida. My main interest is obviously seeing wildlife, particularly Reptiles. Does anyone have any ideas as to great locations I could go to see many different species? Any parks or specific places you guys have seen some really cool stuff? Any suggestions would be great!

[IW17]

Florida is a big place. What area of Florida are you planning?

[Jim Smith]

Having lived in Miami for a number of years, you could always count of finding wildlife in the Everglades. Basically head west on Tamiami trail and stop along the way and you'll find places to go herping and see plenty of alligators in the canals. Just one of MANY possibilities.

[Roman]

Some tips from one tourist to another…:)

I have been in Florida for several times, almost always during July and September. I didn’t do real field herping, because I didn’t want to drag heavy boots with me for 4 weeks when I would probably only use them once or twice during that time. On the other hand I don’t want to go into the bush where I might stumble upon a potentially dangerous snake like a diamondback or a cottonmouth just with some sandals, so I stayed pretty much on the trails and was watching from there. Considering this I saw a lot of interesting wildlife during the years.

If you are in Miami you have to go to the Everglades National Park. It’s a little south of Miami right behind the city of Homestead. Forget those speed boats, they are not allowed within the park. Within the park are several trails in different locations along the only road south to Flamingo, the very tip of Florida.

Probably the most interesting trail is right next to the park entrance, the Anhinga Trail and the Gumbo Limbo Trail. The Anhinga Trail leads you to round trip along and above some deeper water. During the summer is the rainy season, so there is a lot of water and the animals are more dispersed. You may find a lot of different birds, fishes, insects, spiders, frogs, turtles, lizards, snakes and of course alligators. Any time I came here I found at least one alligator, sometimes two or three or … many. I also found different species of turtles, anoles, once a large green iguana, black racers (Coluber constrictor), an Everglades Racer (Coluber constrictor paludicola) and some water snakes (Nerodia sp.) I couldn’t identify (they where a little too far away and between a lot of greenery).


Black racer



http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy105/elaphe420/Negative8-36-12A1_zpslwcgb08a.jpg

Everglades Racer


http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy105/elaphe420/IMG_1895_zpsfwrka2xe.jpg

American Alligator


http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy105/elaphe420/IMG_0656_zpsodersu7f.jpg

There were other great spots, but you have to be aware that trees and woods mean mosquitos, during summer time lots and more of them, so an interesting trail like the Mahogany Hammock or the Gumbo Limbo Trail will result in multiple mosquito stings (or is it bites?). Once I got so many bites I stopped counting at 80…

If you go all the way down to Flamingo you may find not only alligators roaming the marina but on occasion even an American crocodile.

American Crocodile


http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy105/elaphe420/Negative0-04-25A1_zpsxhsoxb65.jpg



Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)


http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy105/elaphe420/Negative6-25-21A1_zps2spa21o8.jpg

Another interesting location is the Miami zoo, it has a nice collection of reptiles.

If you go to Orlando make sure to visit the World Reptile Serpentarium in St. Cloud. They are basically a venom production facility with a nice collection of snakes on display and twice a day venom extraction shows.

If you are at the gulf coast you might visit the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island.

Have fun and happy herping…

Roman

[Akuma223]

Florida is a big place. What area of Florida are you planning? I'm not sure yet which is why I'm wondering of others experiances or maybe even "secret" spots. I want to narrow things down to regions or places that have the best diversity of wildlife, particularly reptiles. I really, really want to see all the exotic species running about down there, and so that is my primary interest.

Having lived in Miami for a number of years, you could always count of finding wildlife in the Everglades. Basically head west on Tamiami trail and stop along the way and you'll find places to go herping and see plenty of alligators in the canals. Just one of MANY possibilities.
I've read about the Tamiami trail a few times for herping, it's a highway isn't it? Do you know of any particular parks that have good diversity besides the Everglades? I will of course go there, it goes without saying but I know there must be small little state or public parks around that have great trails and stuff. Also, how is the weather and mosquitos in June and July? I'd like to go in May but work might get in the way, I work two jobs. I really, really want to be able to be down there for at least a week though. Being an adult is overrated.
Some tips from one tourist to another…:)

I have been in Florida for several times, almost always during July and September. I didn’t do real field herping, because I didn’t want to drag heavy boots with me for 4 weeks when I would probably only use them once or twice during that time. On the other hand I don’t want to go into the bush where I might stumble upon a potentially dangerous snake like a diamondback or a cottonmouth just with some sandals, so I stayed pretty much on the trails and was watching from there. Considering this I saw a lot of interesting wildlife during the years.

If you are in Miami you have to go to the Everglades National Park. It’s a little south of Miami right behind the city of Homestead. Forget those speed boats, they are not allowed within the park. Within the park are several trails in different locations along the only road south to Flamingo, the very tip of Florida.

Probably the most interesting trail is right next to the park entrance, the Anhinga Trail and the Gumbo Limbo Trail. The Anhinga Trail leads you to round trip along and above some deeper water. During the summer is the rainy season, so there is a lot of water and the animals are more dispersed. You may find a lot of different birds, fishes, insects, spiders, frogs, turtles, lizards, snakes and of course alligators. Any time I came here I found at least one alligator, sometimes two or three or … many. I also found different species of turtles, anoles, once a large green iguana, black racers (Coluber constrictor), an Everglades Racer (Coluber constrictor paludicola) and some water snakes (Nerodia sp.) I couldn’t identify (they where a little too far away and between a lot of greenery).

There were other great spots, but you have to be aware that trees and woods mean mosquitos, during summer time lots and more of them, so an interesting trail like the Mahogany Hammock or the Gumbo Limbo Trail will result in multiple mosquito stings (or is it bites?). Once I got so many bites I stopped counting at 80…

If you go all the way down to Flamingo you may find not only alligators roaming the marina but on occasion even an American crocodile.

Another interesting location is the Miami zoo, it has a nice collection of reptiles.

If you go to Orlando make sure to visit the World Reptile Serpentarium in St. Cloud. They are basically a venom production facility with a nice collection of snakes on display and twice a day venom extraction shows.

If you are at the gulf coast you might visit the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island.

Have fun and happy herping…

Roman
Thanks very much for the suggestions Roman, I'll certainly make sure we hit those trails you spoke of. And as far as Mosquitos go, I have plenty of experience with the endless hoards of them and know to come prepared. I'll probably go to the Miami zoo again as well, haven't been there in awhile.

[IW17]

Check out big cypress gallery. It's Clyde Butchers photo gallery on the Tamiami trail. You can park there and check out his amazing photos and then walk along the highway. There's are canals dug on both sides. There are literally gators on top of gators. And if you enjoy fishing, bring a pole. Bass and gar galore, and a ton of exotic fish. Another great option would be checking out some of the state parks around natural Springs. Tons of wildlife, boardwalks, and great swimming and snorkeling.

Clyde Butcher | Black & White Fine Art Photography – Black & White Fine Art Photography (http://clydebutcher.com)

Juniper Springs Recreation Area (http://www.juniper-springs.com)

This is Juniper Springs. It's central Florida but there are many state parks to choose from with beautiful Springs.

[eminart]

You might want to look at Tate's Hell State Forest near Apalachicola. I wanted to check it out a couple of years ago when we were camping on St George island but I didn't have a chance. It should be a great area.

[CraigC]

You can look, take pics but no catching. If you come to South Florida, there is a road in the Fakahachee Strand called Janes Scenic Drive. There is also Turner River Road. Both can be accessed from The Tamiami Trail, heading west from Miami or east from Naples. If you are interested, I can give you further details. BTW, what passes as winter (We call it tourist season) down here, especially when the temps drop into the 50's at night, is a much better time for actually seeing anything. You can drive across Alligator Alley in summer and maybe see a few gators in the canals, but when the temps are as I described in winter, they are laid up on the bank like cord wood when the water is low.

[Akuma223]

Check out big cypress gallery. It's Clyde Butchers photo gallery on the Tamiami trail. You can park there and check out his amazing photos and then walk along the highway. There's are canals dug on both sides. There are literally gators on top of gators. And if you enjoy fishing, bring a pole. Bass and gar galore, and a ton of exotic fish. Another great option would be checking out some of the state parks around natural Springs. Tons of wildlife, boardwalks, and great swimming and snorkeling.

Clyde Butcher | Black & White Fine Art Photography – Black & White Fine Art Photography (http://clydebutcher.com)

Juniper Springs Recreation Area (http://www.juniper-springs.com)

This is Juniper Springs. It's central Florida but there are many state parks to choose from with beautiful Springs.
Sweet, I'll write those areas down and look into how to plan everything.
You might want to look at Tate's Hell State Forest near Apalachicola. I wanted to check it out a couple of years ago when we were camping on St George island but I didn't have a chance. It should be a great area. okay, will do if I can. My desire to explore and just be in nature is so strong right now. Alaska spoiled me with its wilderness and now I desire more :eek:

You can look, take pics but no catching. If you come to South Florida, there is a road in the Fakahachee Strand called Janes Scenic Drive. There is also Turner River Road. Both can be accessed from The Tamiami Trail, heading west from Miami or east from Naples. If you are interested, I can give you further details. BTW, what passes as winter (We call it tourist season) down here, especially when the temps drop into the 50's at night, is a much better time for actually seeing anything. You can drive across Alligator Alley in summer and maybe see a few gators in the canals, but when the temps are as I described in winter, they are laid up on the bank like cord wood when the water is low.
And it all leads back to this Tamiami trail doesn't it lol. I'm interested in both places you described, clearly when I go down we will be along the tamiami trail. What's the weather and herping like in June down there?

[CraigC]

Tamiami Trail is also known as US 41. You can access them from I-75 (the Alligator Alley section) by exiting at SR 29 and heading south. Janes Scenic Drive is off of SR 29, just north of the Trail. You will have to travel east from there to get to Turner River Road. You can take Turner River Road north to Bear Island, which is in the Big Cypress National Preserve. Turner River Road actually passes under a bridge at mile marker 75 on Alligator Alley to get to Bear Island. Too bad they didn't have an exit from the Alley. On both of these roads you will have to turn around to exit where you entered. Be very fuel conscious! The main reason I suggested using the Tamiami Trail is the access to the Shark River section of Everglades National Park, several small State Parks and some hiking trails. There are also some "tourist trap" Miccosukee Villages and if you are feeling very touristy, several air boat rides offered along the way.

June is the beginning of hurricane season in Florida. The temps are in the high 80's to low 90's, but our cool weather was very minimal this year, so temps may be above normal. The humidity is generally in the 80s and 90's. June usually is rainy with high chances of T-Storms and the Glades can have some really spectacular ones that can come up on you very quickly. Florida is also the Capital of people being hit by lightning.

IMO, in the hot months, you are going to find most stuff in cover with early morning and late afternoon, evening and night being the most active times. Rain will also be a big factor. Skeeters are very active during the day if you get into the woods or cypress swamps. Anything that has the main ingredient as deet will be a very effective repellent. The Miccosukee and Seminoles also puff on foul smelling cigars, keeping a wreath of smoke around them to keep the skeeters at bay. I'll stick to the deet. If you go down to Flamingo in the main park be aware that early in the morning and right before sunset, there are these little flying teeth known as "no see ems" out and about. I don't think there is a repellent for them.