Herping 101

Herping is one of the easiest wildlife hobbies to get into because all you have to do is walk outside and use your eyes (and sometimes your ears); however, some species like the western skink, Plestiodon skiltonianus, are primarily fossorial, meaning they burrow underground.

Can you #FindThatLizard?

This means you have to flip logs or rocks to see them. In my case I went out with some researchers and they had laid some cover boards. These are pieces of wood meant to attract herps (often attracting other critters as well). Their large size can accommodate anything from a small lizard to a large snake. They’re often geotagged so their easy to find over and over again.

Now if you’re out on your own. Please flip rocks and logs responsibly.

Just because you don’t see life, doesn’t mean there isn’t any. Put the rock or log back exactly as you found it.

Also, always reach over the object and flip it towards you in case there is a venomous or otherwise dangerous critter under it. That way, the rock/log protects your feet and legs, and you give the critter a chance to escape, which is useful if something was under there that you weren’t expecting.

I hope you’re out there safely and ethically herping. Have fun!

Aaaand I hope you #FoundThatLizard! Let me know in the comments!