snake hunting, not trapping, but attracting? - experts Forum at VenomousReptiles.org

snake hunting, not trapping, but attracting?	Reply
by asud on December 17, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
i'm gonna be in rural cambodia two weeks from now. i was thinking of getting some boards and some metal sheeting from a construction site and setting them up around little dump sites to attract sunbathers. anyone have any other advice for attracting snakes? (i'm hoping to see o hannah in the wild and just read that rom whitaker's seen 6 in the wild in 30 years of walking the forest--yikes!) any advice on seeing or non-invasively attracting o hannah - or any snakes - would be much appreciated...

RE: snake hunting, not trapping, but attracting?	Reply
by Jestikal on December 25, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
I cant say that I have actually tried this but in addition to what you already planned, you could make a snake attractant based on the scents from their common food items. It's gross but you could mix rodent and snake feces with water to make your area smell more appealing to them.

RE: snake hunting, not trapping, but attracting?	Reply
by asud on December 26, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
thanks! that does sound gross, but clever, too. i did this on a very small, very sporadic scale before with bush rat meat on a previous trip. this time i'll try and season a couple of edge environs to see if i can increase my chances of a sighting...

RE: snake hunting, not trapping, but attracting?	Reply
by BobH on December 27, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
Asud, I think this is a great area for future research. I have heard anecdotally that professional collectors in florida would often seed their tin sights with recent sheds from desired species. Years ago when I was doing some turtle research, it always dramatically improved trapping when one or more females found their way into the traps. Maybe all the Ophiophagus keepers could send you shed skins to take with you????? Best wishes on your trip Bob

RE: snake hunting, not trapping, but attracting?	Reply
by asud on December 27, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
Now that's an interesting idea. Lightweight, too (I'm a stickler for packing very, very little). I wonder if captive bred & fed sheds might scan a little off/odd to a wild vomeronasal? hmmm... i'm gonna ask the local zoos. i leave on 1/4. if there's anyone here who'd be up for sending me a tupperware of sheds--obviously doesn't matter if they're partials or mucky--i'd appreciate it enormously. while i'm not rolling in $, i could definitely reimburse you for costs/trouble... thanks for the insight!

RE: snake hunting, not trapping, but attracting?	Reply
by JHarrison on December 27, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
It is illegal to transport animal products without proper permits that includes shed skins . You would need CITIES papers to transport King cobra or any cobra skin. Also bad idea to place shed skins from captive snakes in the wild. This can spread disease. Jim

RE: snake hunting, not trapping, but attracting?	Reply
by asud on December 27, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
cites violations! yikes! well that nixes that. thanks jim, for the warning. glad i'm here before i go off doing something dicey... interesting idea though... thanks!

RE: snake hunting, not trapping, but attracting?	Reply
by Ptk on December 30, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
I am not trying to discourage you, but I doubt there is a short supply of food or hiding places in rural cambodia. I think you would have a greater chance of success trying to locate existing hiding spots than spending your time constructing and baiting/checking your own. Regardless - I wish you the best of luck! PTK

RE: snake hunting, not trapping, but attracting?	Reply
by asud on December 31, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
so you're saying don't go reinventing the wheel. makes sense. preexisting areas i can think to look are dumps, piles of cleared brush, construction sites, cattle troughs... i've been told to follow the rats and the water. any other spots / ideas would be very appreciated....

RE: snake hunting, not trapping, but attracting?	Reply
by Cro on December 31, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
Adam, I agree with Patrick. Make a effort to find cover that is already established, and being used by snakes. Newly established sites often take months to "season" before they become attractive to snakes. Rodents are often found where grain has been stored, or, in fields where grain was harvested. If you can find rodents, you will find snakes. Also, tell the local folks that you will pay them a small amount for snakes, or, leading you to snakes. That technique can produce good results. Good luck on your trip. Best Regards John Z

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