Reptile hunting - pics only

Scallen, the pics didnt come out, but yes Ive been a reptile freak all my life. Only raise the turtles now, for release, from hatchling. We have a big hex tank with a sun deck that is just sooo entertaining, they have great personalities, very funny. I used to keep more stuff than Marlin Perkins, Puff Adders, An Albino Cobra, wild caught Eastern Indigo for 20 years - my last snake and MANY others, but now just like to observe and photo.

Oh yes, and monster, a 90 lbSavanah Monitor I used to walk down CT ave in Wash.DC in a poodle harness.He would lunge at poodles and FREAK the owners out, what fun!

right on!

we have one pet reptile, a ball python that Max's little buddy gave to us (or the dad did, I think he was relieved to get it out of the house)

Python is beautiful and very tame we only handle it about once a wek piror to feeding.  Very cool to watch the strike and coil process.
So.. anyone, give me a rundown on posting pix....I posted in the gallery, but can't get them to transfer to the forum.  gonna need the skill for all my GIGANTIC BIG FISH THIS YEAR!!!  one can only hope....

Allen

Hey Allen I fixed up your pics for you.

That softshell brings back the memories man, I used to hunt softshells and aligator snapping turtles in TX all the time. The big softies are very skittish. Snappers not so much, I think they know they can kick ass so they almost invite you to come try to catch them.

Lots of lizards, geckos and snakes in TX as well.

Bill you rock- I still need to learn it, can't be too hard if moocj can do it.

Seriously, I wanna know so I'm not a pest.

allen

There is a place in Berkeley called the East Bay Vivarium that is pretty extensive. Has anybody seen if they are still around? They are about a block away from the spengers building.

Yeah, the vivarium has more critters than most zoos - and for sale. Wild things. An african skink- looks just like a CA alligator lizard- but 2 feet long! For 40 bucks its yours. Id like to bring that on a camping trip and pretend I caught it." Hey, look what I found behind your tent, Mooch!" Just kidding... Great pics scallen, my folks were not into it at all- I learned it all on my own. You got lucky kids. Not that I had it bad. A beaut of  a baby chuck, I had an adult for a long time, very sweet lizard, Id be almost tempted to raise one if they didnt need to be kept at 1000 degrees all the time. Did the horny toads squirt blood at you? I heard they do that.Nice gopher too, they tame real fast as soon as they know thier not a food item. Oh jeez,, Im thinking critters now!

In my younger days I would go rattler hunting at Folsom Lake. I used a ski pole with a hook at the end to turn over dead logs and another with a noose at the end to snare the rattlers. I quit doing this when one of my buddies thought it was funny to throw one at me. It didn't strike me.
Mooch, if you think SEEING one makes you run, imagine one hurled through the air and bouncing off your chest only to fall around your foot.
I always come across a rattler or two at my secret fishing spot. Maybe that is why in 25 years of going there I have never seen another person anywhere.

i used to catch a lot of reptiles and amphibians as a kid in canada.  down here i catch about 1 garter snake and a bunch of salamanders every year.  i caught cool garter snake in tahoe last year near martis lake.

Basalisk(?) lizards. Mooch, that is funny. What if you had a nice fat 40 lb king on your line and suddenly noticed a small garter snake stowaway on board? Kodak moment or what?!

...I'd scream like a little girl and then run on water...with the rod still on my hand 

NOTE: the thing that really freaks me out about snakes is that they move pretty fast for a creature that does not have any legs = FREAKY BASTARDS! And then you have the kinds that SPIT VENOM at you.....and then you have the ones that "RATTLE"......and then there are the BIG ones that strangle you to death.....WTF?!!!

"RUN FORREST....RUN!" (this is the only reptile that I can "UNDERSTAND" )

You are killing me over here!!!!

The vivarium moved to berkeley around 35 years ago from oakland; and they used to sell rattlers, toucans and monkeys also. I bought my first rattlesnake from them. My friends and I would go up to tilden and catch sliders,ringneck, and bluebellies; the place is loaded there. I let my pet caimen go up there in jewel lake. Found a stickleback in the creek when younger. Those were the days. I am bringing lizards to mendo; no big thing just part of the crew.

....and you wonder why I don't like snakes 
Snakes just can't be trusted...that's why they call 'em "snakes" 

He is just giving him a kiss man!

as a kid in canada.

Didn't know that about you Chris that explains the love of beer and hockey, ever see the movie "Strange Brew" with Bob and Doug McKenzie. Very Funny