Pines in FL.

[Leo-Land]

Where is a great place to find Pines in Central FL. I assume by their name, they like to hang out in Pine Forests. But where would be the best place to look for them? Should I just look for piles of downed Pine Branches or what?

Thanks!

[crimsonking]

Leo, talk about the $64,000.00 question! FL. pines are very rare to find. Although they are "found" in nearly every county,You'll only hear of a handful found alive each year. Also you cannot buy/sell FL.pines here. You may possess one.(albinos are not controlled/protected) Many w.c. pines do not do well in captivity. However searching and photographing one this year is HIGH on my list of things to do. They apparently spend a great amount of time in the burrows and tunnels of pocket gophers and the like and are seldom seen. Along with severe habitat fragmentation other environmental problems are taking their toll I'm sure. Good luck in your quest and be sure to let us know if you see one.
:Mark

[crimsonking]

I photographed earlier this year. She's from a clutch of eggs layed by a specimen at Homossassa Spgs. A few years ago. Over 6'.Obviously in shed here.

[Leo-Land]

Very cool pine! I will search for them this coming summer. I plan on going to a national forest to do some major herping. I cannot wait!

[crimsonking]

Leo, p.m. me sometime as we're not that far from each other. Maybe we could herp one weekend. I can guarantee something! (not a pine or indigo--but something LOL!)
:Mark

[Leo-Land]

Originally posted by crimsonking
Leo, p.m. me sometime as we're not that far from each other. Maybe we could herp one weekend. I can guarantee something! (not a pine or indigo--but something LOL!)
:Mark

Are indigos hard to come by or something? Because I have lots around here. I see them more often then Black Racers. I guess that might be because I have hundreds of Gopher Torts all around my house.

[J_Riley]

The Indigo is the most endangered colubrid in North America, if not most endangered snake period. In fact, with out a scientific permit, it's a $50,000 fine if you're caught messing with one. So yeah, you might say they're "hard to come by". That's kind of why they sell for $600-$800 for captive bred specimens. Their range has shrunk to parts of northern Florida and extreme southern Georgia, that's it.

[Leo-Land]

Wow! I do see them a lot here. I'm in Central Florida. I know not to mess with them in fear of the fine heh. But I know for sure they are Indigos.

[Vanan]

Damn you're so luck Jeff! Snap pics man!!!

[crimsonking]

Jeff, you have to get some pics! AND POST THEM! How big was the biggest you've seen to date?
:Mark

[Bryce Masuk]

are pine snakes not a protected species? from what i have read they are and the numbers are severely declining

[crimsonking]

In FL. they are to an extent. You may possess 1. You cannot buy/sell them. However you can buy/sell albinos that are on some lists. Possibly not as rare as it seems since they are often underground. I would prefer a more hands off approach by the state. No laws protecting these snakes will work if we don't protect the habitat.

[J_Riley]

Amen brother. Habitat destruction/fragmentation is usually the cause of threatened (special concern, etc etc) status.

FWIW, Pines are protected in NC too. No possession without affiliation with scientific research group.

[J_Riley]

DOuble post, feel free to delete.