Question re: nightsnakes and western skinks in WA/BC

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Kyle from Carolina
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Joined: May 3rd, 2012, 8:12 pm
Location: western MA and NC

Question re: nightsnakes and western skinks in WA/BC

Post by Kyle from Carolina »

Hey there folks,

Does anybody here have any luck with Hypsiglena and Eumeces in north central Washington? I've spent some time in the Canadian and US Okanagan valley, where there are scattered records for both species but they continue to elude me. I'm relatively confident that the habitat I'm searching is suitable and I have searched a spot where a Hypsiglena shed skin was found in the spring by my friend, but still, no dice. My question is...how do you folks find them?
The literature describes Hypsiglena as lizard specialists, and lizards are in relatively low densities in the okanagan, excluding all the Elgaria up in the ponderosa hills. I presume that my chances of finding a nightsnake will increase if I find a pocket of skinks although maybe northern populations will eat a few more mammals or inverts. Many of the areas in BC with suitable habitat are not readily cruisible, despite the massive human footprint, so this technique isn't as feasible as it is in other parts of Washington (I'm thinking specifically of the paper where they successfully cruise up a bunch of them in the southeastern part of the state). Do you guys have much luck in North central Washington with either species? If so, what techniques do you use? Currently, I've focused mostly on flipping in areas with lots of slabby, gneiss/granite rock features, where the snakes can potentially 'bask' beneath the surface. I've also cruised both in the hot 'deserty' areas but in the upland treed areas as well. I've heard the nightsnake referred to as the rarest snake in Canada, so maybe I'm wasting my time in the Okanagan...

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Kyle
simpleyork
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Joined: March 6th, 2012, 12:45 pm
Location: utah

Re: Question re: nightsnakes and western skinks in WA/BC

Post by simpleyork »

There does not need to be a plentiful amount of lizards for nightsnakes. I have one in my care that would not take anything other then rubber boas for the longest time, it is now on gartersnakes as well, it was collected is an area that does not have a very high concentration of lizards but tons of boas. Aside from one all nightsnakes that i have found were cruised. The other was under a well embedded rock about 1 1/2' squared, on a south facing slope. that is all that i can help you with as my experience over all with them is very limited though they are one of my very favorites to find.
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Kyle from Carolina
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Joined: May 3rd, 2012, 8:12 pm
Location: western MA and NC

Re: Question re: nightsnakes and western skinks in WA/BC

Post by Kyle from Carolina »

Hmm, interesting. The Charina I've seen have all been bigger than what I expect a nightsnake to be so I never thought about that type of relationship. I guess the smaller ones would be a great meal. Thanks for comment, simpleyork. I will have to think about other snakes more as a food source next time i'm searching.

-Kyle
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TravisK
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Joined: July 8th, 2010, 11:14 am
Location: Eastern Washington

Re: Question re: nightsnakes and western skinks in WA/BC

Post by TravisK »

You might inquire with Weaver. He has studied night snakes in Central WA for quite a while now iirc. I have only seen one about 3 or 4 years ago and I know PNWHerper found one on foot during the day recently with temps right around 50* near Vantage. I have a feeling they really like talus and exposed rubble, but I have yet to test that or even consult with night snake 'experts'.

Skiltons can be hard to find sometimes. From my experience they prefer to be in open meadows near forested edges. For me they are either plentiful or nonexistent, it just depends on the time of year and the conditions. The drier it is the harder they are to locate in my experience. I haven't really done anything in North-central WA yet so I am not very familiar with all the habitats available.

Cheers,
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Kyle from Carolina
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Joined: May 3rd, 2012, 8:12 pm
Location: western MA and NC

Re: Question re: nightsnakes and western skinks in WA/BC

Post by Kyle from Carolina »

Thanks for the response Travis. I will look into the contact you suggested. The Hyps association with talus and rubble sounds right based on what I've heard from known BC localities. I will let yall know if I end up finding them down there.

Kyle
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