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Ok new question????
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by SnakeEyes2006 on February 28, 2007
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I was reading somewhere that you can find "wintering" herps in old sawdust piles or old compost piles, but what about an old barn with old hay that has not be en touched in years? I know where a few are, does anyone think it might pay off to check them out?
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RE: Ok new question????
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by SnakeEyes2006 on February 28, 2007
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thats what I was thinking, but wanted to get someone elses view on it, this barn is so old, I have found old metal trucks from the 40s and old tin pictures in it, but at that time, I never thought to move some old hay bales and look for reptiles....
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RE: Ok new question????
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by Cro on February 28, 2007
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Shawn, I was the one who posted about finding snakes hibernating inside of saw dust mounds.
The hay bales or piles you are talking about also have potential. I have heard of Pygmy Rattlesnakes overwintering inside of them.
All the snake really needs is enough insulation to protect it from freezing, and they seem to know what will work or will not work.
Many places can be used by them as hibernacula, including inside of walls on houses and sheds, in corn cribbs, in piles of peat, and inside of dumped appliances like old refrigerators.
I am thinking of building a few plywood boxes with shingled roofs, and stuffed full of insulating peanuts and having a few small access holes drilled in them. I plan to set them out on the property next fall, and check them during the winter to see if any snakes or lizards have decided to use them for winter refuge.
Hope this helps.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: Ok new question????
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by nightwolf on March 1, 2007
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I've seen rattlesnakes , along with a couple others , under hay bales / piles . Rodents like to nest there so it makes a nice place for a snake to winter .
Kenny
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RE: Ok new question????
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by GREGLONGHURST on March 1, 2007
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A barn like that would be a good place to look for snakes during the active time of the year as well. In fact, you may well have more success in the summer than you would during the time of hibernation.
~~Greg~~
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RE: Ok new question????
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by SnakeEyes2006 on March 1, 2007
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Ok Cro, Nightwolf, Greg, and all others, thanks alot, and I can see I am making friends, and getting some answers and info I need, I have found lots of sheds in these buildings in the past through the summer months, but they reptiles must have went out for dinner or went to their grandmothers or something cause no one was home, but I was thinking of checking the old barn out today (in the daylight) with a friend and see if I have any luck, I will post tonight and let you all know if things went well....till then later...Shawn
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RE: Ok new question????
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by MikeB on March 1, 2007
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Just a quick question: Would it be harmful to the snakes to dig into their hibernation nest and interrupt their brumation cycle? I understand this if you are collecting -- but just to observe or confirm their presence there? Seems like you might run the risk of either driving them out into cooler temps that could prove fatal, or throwing their timing off, which could prevent breeding after they emerge. My instinct would be to leave all herps alone at this time of year until they emerge on their own timing when the weather is right.
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RE: Ok new question????
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by Cro on March 1, 2007
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Mike makes a good point about disrupting the snakes hibernation. When we found snakes hibernating in saw chip mounds, we would dig untill we found them, take a look and a photo, not disturbe them very much, and then carefully cover them back with chips. On several occasions the same snakes were found near the mounds in the spring after they had emerged. Overall, it would probably be better to not disturbe them during their winter break.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: Ok new question????
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by Cro on March 1, 2007
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Shawn, you mention seeing sheds during the spring / summer months in the buildings you are hunting in.
I would suggest that you wait until dark, and then go into the buildings with a strong flashlight. Shine it up and down the rafters and beams.
The light colored belly of a snake will often show up very well, and you will often see them draped over beams or just out crawling.
They will often be more active hunting at night than in the day.
Just make sure you check out the buildings first in the day, so that you will know how to safely get to any snake you might find at night.
Avoiding things like wasp nests, rotten beams and floors, and boards with nails is much more difficult in the dark.
Hope this helps.
Best Regards JohnZ
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