Field Herping?

[Necroticism]

I'm pretty much expecting this thread to die fast, but it's worth a shot..

I've been fascinated in reptiles since I was 6, and have been reading up on them constantly ever since, and to this day I still research them asmuch as possible, I just can't keep myself from learning more about them. My goal is to become a Herpetologist as it's the only thing I can really do in the future and be happy doing.

I'm wondering if anybody here shares this passion for reptiles and does any field herping?

By quick definition, Field Herping is the active searching for reptiles and/or amphibians, usually by means of flipping rocks and other debris to see what is under them, traveling along side roads during basking hours, and other activities. We do not take them home, we simply do it for observation purposes, getting pictures, and occasionally handling our finds before letting them carry on with their day.

Anybody else do this?

[Goji Son]

I've always had an affinity for reptiles but I never really pursued them but where I work there are always skinks, anoles and treefrogs to find so sometimes I feel like I am field herping.

I also own a True Fire Skink and hope to have a Blue Tongue Skink someday.

[Raptor]

When I was in Arizona, my aunt's backyard was ideal for assorted lizards, horny toads and tortoises. Little further afield, rattlers galore.

Here, we have a very appropriately-named shop called PREHISTORIC PETS which caters to local herp keepers.

I wish Game & Fish or the Little Rock Zoo which have all kinds of school and library programs would offer a basic snake identification session to the general public. There are a lot of "good", HARMLESS grass, bullhead and other snakes that are BENEFICIAL to pest control. We've got enough vegetation to support them but too many folks are either afraid of them or will kill 'em if they get the chance.

Like so many other things, some people don't know what they're missing.

[Necroticism]

Originally Posted by Goji Son

I've always had an affinity for reptiles but I never really pursued them but where I work there are always skinks, anoles and treefrogs to find so sometimes I feel like I am field herping.

I also own a True Fire Skink and hope to have a Blue Tongue Skink someday.

That's awesome. I remember when we went camping awhile back, I didn't do any of the normal camping activities, from the minute I woke up I was heading out into the woodlots to search for the Five-Lined Skink, I found them, but they were too quick to get pictures. Real shame.

Also, I don't own any pets, I've had real bad luck in that department. However, I've taken care of plenty for friends of family, I'm usually the one they put in charge of that. I was close to purchasing an Acklin's Monitor from someone, but it appears they didn't take as good care of it as he said, and it passed away due to many health problems. I was furious, and crushed at the same time. My next purchase is probably going to be a Natural Corn Snake, a Mexican Black King Snake, or an Acklin's Monitor. I just need to get a job now, because I blew all the money I had when I was waiting for the Monitor.

Originally Posted by Raptor

When I was in Arizona, my aunt's backyard was ideal for assorted lizards, horny toads and tortoises. Little further afield, rattlers galore.

Here, we have a very appropriately-named shop called PREHISTORIC PETS which caters to local herp keepers.

I wish Game & Fish or the Little Rock Zoo which have all kinds of school and library programs would offer a basic snake identification session to the general public. There are a lot of "good", HARMLESS grass, bullhead and other snakes that are BENEFICIAL to pest control. We've got enough vegetation to support them but too many folks are either afraid of them or will kill 'em if they get the chance.

Like so many other things, some people don't know what they're missing.

This is all too true. It's sad because in many cultures, snakes were worshipped and seen as gods, beneficial. Snakes were credited for the very creation of our land, sure, they obviously didn't bring forth all life, but my point is, they were once respected and are now killed on sight. It's a real sad thing. There were plenty of species available in this city to be found, unfourtenetly, the majority of them have become very rare due to both habitat loss, and misunderstanding people. The Blue Racer is almost completely wiped out because of it, really sad..

[Zigra]

I love reptiles, but unfortunetly, I haven't gotten much opportunity to work with them. Alaska isn't exactly the best place for that

[Necroticism]

Originally Posted by Zigra

I love reptiles, but unfortunetly, I haven't gotten much opportunity to work with them. Alaska isn't exactly the best place for that

That's kind of true..

This city isn't too good for them either, Reptiles are banned for purchase and being owned, but we own them anyway, the police look the other way unless you're being reckless with them or just plain stupid.

I want to move out when the time for college comes, because the college here only provides a Vet Tech course, while there are other colleges that focus on Herpetology, not just animals in general. So this city isn't too good for it either, but I try to make due.