Herp stuff in Florida, I need help!

[Ryan Pye]

Hey, near the end of april, I will be going on a vacation in florida (orlando area). and I always bring my snake hook and camera on southern vacations. Two things

1) Anyone know around that area where there is any good parks or hot spots for finding snakes, gators, etc.

2) Other then Glades Herp (because I know I am definately going there) is there any other stores or reptile zoos to check out?

Let me know, if any one has any specific information for me, feel free to email me.

Thanks for your help.

Ryan
reptilesafari@sympatico.ca

[Ryan Pye]

Come on Guy's, I really want to get some of this info!

Help me out Please

[Paleosuchus]

I live in south florida, so when i do get to go herping up near orlando i usually just stop at lake okeechobee. As for state parks check this link out, it is catogorized by locations in state you will be all the parks to the top left i believe...parks (http://www.floridaconservation.org/fltrails/hike.html)

As for zoos, etc.. Don't know many off hand. Might want to try st augustine alligator farm/zoological park. Best place i have ever been. Being they have all 23 species of crocodilian, or they did. Have not been there in some time. Also if you go to lake okeechobee i am sure you will see courtship in the alligators, your going at that time of year. Good luck and have fun, bring some big spray.
Jason

[crimsonking]

There's Parks all over FL. Just depends what you're looking for. Gators are in just about any water big enough to hold one. There's also Ocala Nat'l forest nearby to Orlando. You should be able to get pics of all sorts of herps at any State Park, but NO collecting. Nat'l Forests are a bit more herper friendly, but check the rules of ANY park before you go. Weekiva Spgs. St. Park is near Orlando. As are Kissimee River St. Park, Payne's Prairie, and others.
Many of the herp photos I get are from the boardwalks located in city or State parks.
If you like raptors, there's the Audobon Center for Birds of Prey.
For more specifics when you get ready to head down, shoot me an email.
:Mark

[BWSmith]

Other then Glades Herp (because I know I am definately going there)
Oh god why? They are on my blacklist of unethical dealers.

[Ryan Pye]

Thanks for the info, I really helps. I didn't know that Glades herp is one of "those" places, I have never dealt with them I just assumed they were OK from all the exposure they get - Reptile Mag, I have Herp books that reference them, etc. I wont be collecting or buying anything anyway.

I Appreciate it
Ryan

[BWSmith]

Theya re just on MY personal blacklist because of what I witnessed at a show a few years ago. It may have just been one employee, don't know.

[Ryan Pye]

Yeah, I have a few of those. Is there any other good herp shops that are in or around orlando?

[Orianna]

I live here in orlando and I go to Pet Bazaar for my food. The have a good deal of herps. they also have birds rats hampsters rabbits and fish.

[Ryan Pye]

Cool, am I able to look them up in the phonebook?

[WRX]

You MUST go to Reptile World in St. Cloud. It is south of Orlando, but an easy drive on the turnpike. George Van Horne does venom extractions every day @ 2:00 pm. All his snakes are THE BEST examples of thier kind.

Also, gimme a PM with your email and I can hookl you up with a map to a place you can rent a boat for the day on the Wekiva river. I have seen many herps including Alligator Snappers. The place is 20 minutes North of Orlando, and if you go on a weekday, you will be pretty well alone.
It, for me, has been the best 35.00 I have ever spent. Last time I was in FL, I went 8 days out of 14.


;)

BT