Have any of U been 2 MEX for herping experiences? - Experts Forum at VenomousReptiles.org

Have any of U been 2 MEX for herping experiences?	Reply
by Viperlady on October 30, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
What were your experiences in my country? How were you treated by the people? What do you think about the herpetological community over here? I find there's a great lack of proper information, equipment, culture and... specially a lack of women in this field of study. How is it in your countries?

RE: Have any of U been 2 MEX for herping experienc	Reply
by Rob_Carmichael on October 30, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
Being a rattlesnake fan, there isn't a place on this earth that I look forward to more than to visit your country. My wife is Mayan Indian and has many relatives in Mexico so I'm sure we'll get our chance one day....so far, though, we haven't had the opportunity I have been herping on the border and the folks from the Mexican side were always very nice to me. Rob Carmichael, Curator The Wildlife Discovery Center

RE: Have any of U been 2 MEX for herping experienc	Reply
by SimplySnakes on October 30, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
I went across the border when we were hunting in Texas to search for herps. There were alot of places that looked good but we had alot of problems with the locals feeling we were smuggling something. When problems arose with the authorities coming to check us out we explained what we were doing. They gave us the third degree, made me open the venomous boxes that had Western Diamondbacks in them, some Mojaves, and some tarantulas. After alot of commotion, we left. Too much pain in the butt to stay. I would like to go back, but would rather go to where no one was around. Paul

RE: Have any of U been 2 MEX for herping experienc	Reply
by Viperlady on October 30, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
For ROB CARMICHAEL... or any other members who'd like to add somethin': I've been wondering after reading your reply, and never thought of it until now. Are there any native venomous species in the Lake Forest, Chicago, Indiana, Michigan area? Isn't the winter too harsh for them to survive? Well, I ask this question specially because over here at Popocatepetl (The Volcano), at about 10,000 ft. above sea level and below 20 F. we've found rattlesnakes. We couldn't get a hold of it or take pictures because we were all numb and it certainly caught us by surprise, but we tend to think it was a subspecies of C. triseriatus, so I thought maybe in the States there are some particular species who have been capable of some kind of similar adaptation. Since I've never been on herping expeditions to USA, I don't know much about the species. Thanks!! If there is any particular interest from anyone in this community on mexican species, please feel free to contact me. I'd gladly share my experiences.

RE: Have any of U been 2 MEX for herping experienc	Reply
by Rob_Carmichael on October 31, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
The only native venomous snake we have in our area (N.E. corner of Illinois) is the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus)...but, they are now an endangered species and very rare. Our state also has the Timber Rattlesnake (other states surrounding Illinois also have these two although Michigan only has the E. massasauga). These are temperate animals and go through a long winter hibernation. Outside of venomous herps, we've got some excellent herp diversity in this state (particularly down south in the Shawnee National Forest...one of the finest herping destinations in the U.S.). Of course, my favorite herping area in the U.S. is the Tucson area (Arizona)....Oklahoma is another underrated by wonderful place to go. The one area of our rattlesnake collection that is sorely missing is in the Mexican species. Right now, our only natives (from your homeland) include C. polystictus, C. molossus nigrescens and that's about it...."tri's" is one that we are looking for. Rob Carmichael, Curator The Wildlife Discovery Center Lake Forest, IL

RE: Have any of U been 2 MEX for herping experienc	Reply
by AquaHerp on November 1, 2006	Mail this to a friend!
Forgot these guys Rob..... The Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen) and the Western Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscovorous leucostoma) also inhabit the States (IL/IN) down in the southern more unglaciated areas. Doug Hotle General Curator Abilene ZOOlogical Gardens

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