Garters out in Mass.

[greyhawk]

Went to my usual snake spot yesterday in northeastern Massachusetts and saw at least 20 easterns and ribbons. The temperature was around 60F, fairly breezy, and there was patchy snow cover still. Most of the snakes were right outside their hibernating spots in small groups of 3-5, and there was one group of 5-7 ribbons that were mating. Besides what I'm assuming was at least one female ribbon, all the other snakes appeared to be males based on their size. I picked up a few, one musked but most of them did not luckily. I'll have pictures up at the end of the week when I have my camera cable with me.

[snakems]

Went to my usual snake spot yesterday in northeastern Massachusetts and saw at least 20 easterns and ribbons. The temperature was around 60F, fairly breezy, and there was patchy snow cover still. Most of the snakes were right outside their hibernating spots in small groups of 3-5, and there was one group of 5-7 ribbons that were mating. Besides what I'm assuming was at least one female ribbon, all the other snakes appeared to be males based on their size. I picked up a few, one musked but most of them did not luckily. I'll have pictures up at the end of the week when I have my camera cable with me.

ooooo I am jealoussss lol
where is this spot you speak of! prob not too close to me but just curious!

[guidofatherof5]

Will be waiting for the photos.
Sounds like it was a great adventure.

[greyhawk]

ooooo I am jealoussss lol
where is this spot you speak of! prob not too close to me but just curious!

It's in North Andover, MA, in a place called Boxford State Forest. There is a quarry in the woods and they tossed all the rocks from it all over the place so it makes for nice hibernating spots as well as vernal pools. Ill try and take some pictures of it too if I go back out there this weekend.

During April and May especially, you can find garters, ribbons, black racers, eastern milks, northern waters, and the occasional ringneck snake. There are also many amphibians and a variety of turtles. The quality of my life has definately increased after finding this spot. In mid-summer, you won't find much there though.

[Sid]

I must admit...I'm jelous as well. I do a lot of field herping and am luck if I find a half dozen Gaters each year and that's out of around 300 or more identifiable finds each spring and summer. Looking forward to the photos.

[greyhawk]

I must admit...I'm jelous as well. I do a lot of field herping and am luck if I find a half dozen Gaters each year and that's out of around 300 or more identifiable finds each spring and summer. Looking forward to the photos.

Hah, the grass is always greener on the other side. Besides a few real good spots I know, it's hard to find anything but garters in a lot of New England. Generally speaking, you don't get the variety you do in other parts of the country. I went to the everglades a few years ago and out of about the 17 or 18 snakes we saw, there were about 10 different species and subspecies. You'll be lucky to find 3 or 4 different species on the same day in most areas near here. But hey, if you do like garters, I guess it's not a bad place. Especially if you find a breeding ball of 5 of them.

[snakems]

It's in North Andover, MA, in a place called Boxford State Forest. There is a quarry in the woods and they tossed all the rocks from it all over the place so it makes for nice hibernating spots as well as vernal pools. Ill try and take some pictures of it too if I go back out there this weekend.

During April and May especially, you can find garters, ribbons, black racers, eastern milks, northern waters, and the occasional ringneck snake. There are also many amphibians and a variety of turtles. The quality of my life has definately increased after finding this spot. In mid-summer, you won't find much there though.

wow I'd be like a kid in a candy store!! oh man! Im so envious! lol I wish such a place existed near me that I know of!!
good luck on your next trip there!

[drache]

boy - that place sounds great
looking forward to the photos

[greyhawk]

I had to cram a bunch together 'cause I'm too lazy to resize and crop and upload them all individually. But here they are...

So I guess just click on them and they'll get bigger I think...I hope this works.

[ssssnakeluvr]

nice pics!!!!! waiting for snakes to come out here.....