How to herp??

[snakekid6996]

I live in a neighborhood in Indiana. I know there must be at least a few snakes there, because we are surrounded by corn fields with a good supply of mice and our neighborhood has very tiny patches of wood. I'd love to be able to find a snake or two in the summer while I'm not in school to photograph, but I've never seen a snake here and I don't know how to go about finding one. We have a pond with some small woods by it which might be a good place to look. Also at the end of my street there is a dead end with a small patch of woods and a field right behind it. Does anyone have any tips?? I've tried looking under logs, branches, etc. But never had any luck. May e there are just no snakes around my house??

[StudentoReptile]

The best advice I have received is: the more time you spend outside in prime snake habitat, the more likely you will encounter snakes. I admit, sometimes it is like fishing; there are days when you sit in the boat all day and catch zilch.

Do a little research on the species in your area. Most snakes are mostly diurnal, and "typically" the peak hours during the summer for seeing one out and about is in the morning before it gets too hot. Some snakes migrate to and from various ecosystems in the early spring and again in the fall.

[bushsnake]

its all about habitat and weather patterens. Indiana is good for herping...i herp northwestern Indiana you can find eastern hogs, blue racers, eastern milks, race runners, glass lizards, garters, bull snakes...all kinds of nice stuff!!

[snakekid6996]

Where do You go to herp?? Would I be able to find anything in or around my neighborhood in the fields or at the pond?? And where would I look?? Like, what kind of stuff to look under or around??

[Gungirl]

Look under everything.. Under logs, rocks, piles of leaves.

[snakekid6996]

I also live by the st. Joe river which is VERY polluted, but would that be a good spot to look??

[Lankyrob]

Originally Posted by Gungirl

Look under everything.. Under logs, rocks, piles of leaves.

But put everything back where you found it