How to successfuly find snakes in the wild

Arboreal · 08-05-13, 01:03 AM

I am going on a herping adventure around 9AM this morning (can't change time now LOL), and i'd like to know how to find snakes. Whenever I flip logs, go near creeks or lift logs there are no animals but insects. I occasionally find an amphibian but never wild snakes. Today I am targeting copperheads. Where would be be best locations to look (examples under leaf litter ETC)? Thanks!

Corey209 · 08-05-13, 01:11 AM

I'd advise bringing friend's along as there's a higher chance of finding snakes and the fact that you're searching for copperheads. Also make sure to put everything you move back where it was out of respect.

If it's too hot in the day they might be out later on when it cools off. I would search around bodies of water and through tall grass.

Arboreal · 08-05-13, 01:27 AM

Thanks! I wouldn't go alone, the world is warped...snake bites are the least of my concerns. LOL I packed a snake hook, camera, field guide, snakebite kit, snacks, hand sanitizer, and an emergency first aid kit...oh and some pepper-spray.

smy_749 · 08-05-13, 01:45 AM

Look under old sheets of metal, black tarp, large flat fences, and stuff on the edges where forest meets meadow. They like the metal / black tarp stuff as they can bask underneath it and stay hidden. Large wood piles work great too, they navigate through different layers to thermoregulate. I have an area not too far from my house where they use black tarp to mark the ends of the property like a fence, and its fallen over in most areas. I can find probably 40 garters in an hour if I walked around the perimeter.

Arboreal · 08-05-13, 02:33 AM

sounds like heaven! That's awesome, I'm excited!