Peele island?

[Nicky]

I was just wondering if anyone could point out some good places on peele island to go herping and what kind of snakes you can find. It be really awsome to see acouple of hognoses or ratsnakes. If anyone could just give me a few ponters id really appreciate it. also what would u guys say the best months are good to go in. hopefully i'll be able to get some awsome pics.
thx in advance:)
Kayla

[JD@reptiles]

well you wont find any hognose snakes or rat snakes on pelee. you will how ever find fox snakes if you look hard enough. the only place i can point out is as soon as you get off the ferry you look to your right and go walk beside the road there. you will find lake erie water snakes no problem. if you really want to help the animals there you can join jeff hathaway's trip. its a lot of fun and you get to help bring a species of snake back.

Best of luck!

Jordan

[Nicky]

I'd go on the herp trip with u guys on but i'm only 14 and i doubt u want some teenager tagging along plus my parents wouldn;t let me anyways. Hopefully my cousins and I will find some snakes. Are there any massausga rattlesnakes on the island just don;t want to confuse a fox snake with a rattler. thx for your help hope to get some awsome pics!
kayla

btw have u guys ever found any smooth green snakes personal fav would love to get some pics?

[snakehunter]

DONT EVER ASSUME that b/c you are young that no one wants you to tag along. the reason we are all on this site is to make friends, teach eachother, and work together for the herps, and i am sure that those guys would be more than delighted to show you around and teah you something. good luck on the herp hunt.
-Jacob

[Jayson]

My 11 yrs old son came along last year and had a great time, and cant wait for the chance to go again this year.
Its all about sharing a love for herps and helping to save some species that need it.

[JD@reptiles]

There are no massassaugas on pelee. the following species of snakes can be found on pelee.

Eastern garter snake. normal and melanistic

Lake erie water snake. Many different phases

Brown/DeKay snake

Eastern fox snake.

Blue racer.

[Nicky]

really thats kool .well if whoever is organising the trip and my mom is kool with it id love to go:). what month do u guys usually go and can my 17 year old cousin come too?
thx alot
kayla

[Swampwalker]

The trip is usually on the long weekend in May. Jeff Hathaway is the person who organizes the trip.

[JD@reptiles]

Contact Jeff Hathaway in the spring and let him know you want to go. it is lots of hard work.

[Nicky]

ok thx for the info
kayla

[Jeff Hathaway]

Hi kayla,

As mentioned, I organize the Pelee trip in the spring. While it is an informal thing, it is rapidly becoming a tradition. This year's trip has not been 100% confirmed yet, but I am almost certain it will happen and I hope to announce it soon. It will be May 22-24, though some of us sometimes stay a day longer, intentionally or not:-)

We've had 14 year olds before, both with and without parents. Either way is great- the more the merrier, and the more work we get done. Your 17 year old cousin, and anyone else, is fine.

We do quite a bit of volunteer habitat restoration and similar projects, and spend about half the time touring the island, looking for snakes, etc. Expect to get tired, dirty, wet, etc. I think anyone who's gone will attest that we work pretty hard, but I don't push people overly and I try to assign tasks based on an individual's capabilities. Jayson and Stewart, for example, will likely be much better at heavy lifting than you, so I wouldn't ask you to move big rocks when they can do it faster and safer!

We have lots of fun, too, and see LOTS of snakes.

I will ask you to fill out an information form with emergency contact numbers, health information, etc., and a liability waiver, and both you and your parents will have to sign it.

Stay tuned to ssnakess.com for updates about this year's trip!

If you go by yourself, early May to early June is the best, plus or minus a week or two depending upon the weather. You want to be there after things come out of hibernation but before the vegetation gets too thick. There are some great nature reserves (Fish Point, Lighthouse Point, and Stone Road Alvar) to check out, and you're largely limited to these if you go by yourself. We will do them while we're there, but we also usually have access to some private property sites as well which are great. One of the many benefits of going with us.

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!