By West Texas I mean Val Verde, Edwards,Crockett, Terrrel, Pecos, Brewster, and Presdio CTYS.

I am a herper. No I am not taken any drugs for it, I go out photograph, and sometimes collect snakes. I DO NOT do it for profit, but it is my passion (Sometimes that pisses off the wife). Anyway are there any land owners that might be willing to let me herp there land in one of the counties mentioned.

What I do is basically hike canyons, and sometimes spotlight canyon walls/cliffs. I am very respectful, and willing to pay a fee. Not that it would do any good, but I will remove rattlesnakes at the owners request. I do not carry firearms while doing this, only pepper spray.

If anybody might be willing and would like to hear more about what is involved please let me know I can call and we can chat about it.
Thank you in advance
Here are some pics of snakes from the past

Sweet Pics

I love the picture of the copperhead. I'm not a big fan of snakes, but I would have to say the copperhead is one of the most beautiful snakes I've seen, both in your picture and in real life encounters.

Since you seem to be a snake expert, I have a question for you. Is there some kind of snake that is native to Texas that has a hood like a cobra? They aren't venomous (I don't think), but when they get agitated or threatened they spread out a hood to look more intimidating. I distinctly remember having an encounter with a snake like I have described when I was a kid. We were living in the Hill Country at the time, and it was in our yard when we found it.

Thanks for the comments.

Ag65son- The bottom picture is one of the snakes you are thinking about. Hognose snakes, which we have three types here in texas (Mexican, Western and Eastern) all do the horizontial hood spreading. It is not exactly like a cobra but close. When that tactic does not work, they move on to playing dead. They Roll over on there backs contort and dangle thier tongue out of there mouth. Pretty funny to eatch.

A bull snake does a darn good rattlesnake imitation, including flattening its head, shaking its tail, and making a hiss that sounds a lot like a rattle. I've even had one strike at me, which made me jump like a little girl, even though I knew it was a bull snake.

Instinct is hard to overcome, even for humans.

I got to thinking about this topic after I had typed my reply and I distinctly remembered the snake having a funny looking nose/snout. Now that you mention it, I also recall the snake rolling over on its back after I had harassed it.

I can remember my dad calling the snake a "spreadinadder" because it spread out its neck/hood.

Thanks for all of the information!

CanyonAg77,

Have you ever been chased by a Prairie Racer/Coach Whip? I know they're not venomous, but they are so long and fast they scare the crap out of you. They definitely have a temper. I have been plowing before and have them chase the tractor because they got ticked off at it. It's pretty fun to watch when you're safe up in the cab!

I scared one up at my granddad's place in Ackerly, many years ago. Dad recalled dealing with them, but they aren't around this far north.

A bullsnake will make you wet your pants. Where was your granddad's place in Ackerly.

Why would this make you wet you your pants?

Granddad's place was north and east of Ackerly. It's right at the southwest corner of the Tom Goode ranch, if that helps. Pretty close to the Borden county line, right at the breaks.

Dad graduated from Ackerly, Mom from Sparenburg.

Over hear in East TN, I worry about them dang copperheads. They blend with the fallen leaves and give no warning.

My back 2 acres are just forest and it is always a reason to what where you step.

Great picks on the whole thread.

Words don't properly explain the chills that went up my spine when I looked at his thread.

I hate snakes.

Just wanted to add, those are some outstanding photos. I'm a pretty serious amateur photog myself, so I feel qualified to make that call.

I'm a herper too, albeit in Tennessee now. I guess I'll have to find some new areas to herp.

With respect to places in that area to herp - RobK - have you found any areas good for H.n. kennerlyi? I've never found any in the wild in that area, although I have 6 of them in my collection. I take a yearly trip out to N.M. and the Davis Mountain / Guadalupe Mountain area each Summer to herp.

[This message has been edited by ZooGuy (edited 2/26/2007 10:56a).]

ZooGuy, where in TN are you?

I'll be moving to Chattanooga on Saturday). Used to live in Abilene for 5.5 years, and have been in the Houston area for the last 9 months. Really looking to the 14 + hour drive with 10 snakes and 2 cats in tow.

[This message has been edited by ZooGuy (edited 2/26/2007 3:00p).]

Yeah I have a couple good spots for Kennerlyi. I have found them around Marathon (GREAT FOR THEM), South of Marfa, Around Valentine, also around Langtry/comstock. Not to mention finding them in Sotex.

Also look me up if you are out this way. Are you familiar/post at www.fieldherpforum.com ?

ZooGuy, I am typing this whilst at the main office of the company I work for in Chattanooga.

I live in Cleveland, which is about 25 mi NE of Chat and normally am in my office in Decatur which is 50 mi north of Chat. Thus I live halfway.

We need to get together. There isn't an active A&M club here, but we do have Muster in Chattanooga. A bunch of good Ags in the area.

edit- ZooGuy- responded to your email.



[This message has been edited by EMc77 (edited 2/27/2007 5:47a).]

I wasn't, but I am now. I'm relatively new to the whole herping world (been keeping snakes for 8-10 years), but only recently started herping. I usually go out with a friend who works at the Carlsbad Zoo, and has hots (atrox, controtrix.. wants some molossus and lepidus).

I'm particular to heterdon - I have 3.3 kennerlyi, 1.1 red phase nasicus, and 1 alterna. I might be willing to part with my alterna, since it's an extra for my collection, and I really just have it since it's gorgeous.

Here are some photos of some of my snakes (some I no longer have). Next time I make it out to West Texas (as I said, probably this summer), it'd be cool to have another herper along, so leave an email address.

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/index.php?user=3866&cat=500


[This message has been edited by ZooGuy (edited 2/26/2007 3:27p).]

Zooguy-I left you a PM over at Fieldherpers