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Started By
Message
My top 24 snek catches of ‘24
Posted on 1/2/25 at 11:30 am
Posted on 1/2/25 at 11:30 am
I ended the year with a little Eastern garter snake on Dec. 31 while in Gainesville to visit my snake-bitten buddy in the MICU. That put my total at 718 snakes for 2024, with 55 species/subspecies represented.
1. Aberrant scarlet snake
While scarlet snakes are fairly common in Florida (I got 77 this year), they are supposed to look like this:
So finding a donut/striped pattern aberration (the result of genetic mutation) is likely a once in a lifetime event.
2. Blair’s phase Gray-banded kingsnake (aka Alterna)
There’s a whole subculture of herping centered around this species, which lives inside mountain crevices. One of the hardest species to find in the country. I had a bloody battle with a sharp-edged crevice behind a yucca bush for over 10 heart-racing minutes to catch this prize.
3. Scarlet kingsnake
I’ve dreamed of catching this beauty since childhood - a 50+ year quest. This was my first major catch out of state back in March - only my second visit to Florida for herping. This snake launched my road trip obsession.
4. Southern hognose
Another childhood dream, and I caught it only hours after the scarlet king! And while I didn’t know it at the time, a Southern hognose is a very hard find in Florida - a real prize for herpers. Eastern hognoses are much more common. In this pic it had been playing dead for an hour then took a peek to see if we were done yet.
5. Burmese python
This could easily be #1 on my list - when I dreamed of catching a python in my childhood in the 1970s/80s, it was truly a pipe dream because they couldn’t be found in the United States. Unfortunately, they’ve now taken over south Florida.
6. Western diamondback rattlesnake
While I’ve found 83 this year, this one was special because of its size (close to 6 ft.) and especially because I was able to free-handle this docile beast. Truly a lifetime thrill!
7. Eastern coral snake
Never thought I’d see one in my lifetime, but I got 2 this year! Gorgeous snakes!
8. Alterna phase Gray-banded kingsnake
Same species as #2. They were previously thought to be 2 distinct subspecies, but genetic studies show they are just regional polymorphic variations of the same species. Probably my favorite non-aberrant snake of the year, but lower on the list because my friend caught it right in front of me on our July trip. When I caught it in October, I realized it was the same exact snake - so it was like catching a “used” snake and not a new one.
9. Eastern diamondback rattlesnake
Did I ever tell you about my friend’s encounter with an Eastern diamondback? This free-handle seems a tad unwise in retrospect.
10. Trans-Pecos (Broadbanded) copperhead
This is the species that drew me to West Texas - such a beauty.
1. Aberrant scarlet snake
While scarlet snakes are fairly common in Florida (I got 77 this year), they are supposed to look like this:
So finding a donut/striped pattern aberration (the result of genetic mutation) is likely a once in a lifetime event.
2. Blair’s phase Gray-banded kingsnake (aka Alterna)
There’s a whole subculture of herping centered around this species, which lives inside mountain crevices. One of the hardest species to find in the country. I had a bloody battle with a sharp-edged crevice behind a yucca bush for over 10 heart-racing minutes to catch this prize.
3. Scarlet kingsnake
I’ve dreamed of catching this beauty since childhood - a 50+ year quest. This was my first major catch out of state back in March - only my second visit to Florida for herping. This snake launched my road trip obsession.
4. Southern hognose
Another childhood dream, and I caught it only hours after the scarlet king! And while I didn’t know it at the time, a Southern hognose is a very hard find in Florida - a real prize for herpers. Eastern hognoses are much more common. In this pic it had been playing dead for an hour then took a peek to see if we were done yet.
5. Burmese python
This could easily be #1 on my list - when I dreamed of catching a python in my childhood in the 1970s/80s, it was truly a pipe dream because they couldn’t be found in the United States. Unfortunately, they’ve now taken over south Florida.
6. Western diamondback rattlesnake
While I’ve found 83 this year, this one was special because of its size (close to 6 ft.) and especially because I was able to free-handle this docile beast. Truly a lifetime thrill!
7. Eastern coral snake
Never thought I’d see one in my lifetime, but I got 2 this year! Gorgeous snakes!
8. Alterna phase Gray-banded kingsnake
Same species as #2. They were previously thought to be 2 distinct subspecies, but genetic studies show they are just regional polymorphic variations of the same species. Probably my favorite non-aberrant snake of the year, but lower on the list because my friend caught it right in front of me on our July trip. When I caught it in October, I realized it was the same exact snake - so it was like catching a “used” snake and not a new one.
9. Eastern diamondback rattlesnake
Did I ever tell you about my friend’s encounter with an Eastern diamondback? This free-handle seems a tad unwise in retrospect.
10. Trans-Pecos (Broadbanded) copperhead
This is the species that drew me to West Texas - such a beauty.
This post was edited on 1/2/25 at 1:53 pm
15
Posted on 1/2/25 at 11:30 am to TigrrrDad
11. Ornate black-tailed rattlesnake
One of the most stunning snakes around with their color transitions - my second biggest target on my first West Texas trip. Many are docile and they are so cooperative and photogenic.
12. Everglades rat snake
Big target on my August Everglades trip and it ended up being one of my first catches on the first night.
13. Trans-Pecos rat snake
Some of the coolest eyes in the snake kingdom - my first personal find & catch in West Texas.
14. Hypo-orange Mangrove Saltmarsh snake
15. Red-orange Mangrove Saltmarsh snake
Two colorful variations of a very polymorphic species - a “typical” Mangrove Saltmarsh snake looks like this:
16. Buttermilk racer
Big Louisiana target for me - made a 3 hr. drive thanks to AlxTgr hooking me up with a hot spot, and I got this one very quickly!
17. Sonoran gopher snake
Got several on this trip, but this was the BIG one I was after.
18. Long-nosed snake
Big target of my Sept. West Texas trip and I got one right away! Beautiful colors.
19. Chihuahuan Night snake
A unique looking mildly venomous species in West Texas.
20. Slowinski’s corn snake
Another north La. find with a fairly limited range. This subspecies originated as a cross between Great Plains rat snakes and red corn snakes.
One of the most stunning snakes around with their color transitions - my second biggest target on my first West Texas trip. Many are docile and they are so cooperative and photogenic.
12. Everglades rat snake
Big target on my August Everglades trip and it ended up being one of my first catches on the first night.
13. Trans-Pecos rat snake
Some of the coolest eyes in the snake kingdom - my first personal find & catch in West Texas.
14. Hypo-orange Mangrove Saltmarsh snake
15. Red-orange Mangrove Saltmarsh snake
Two colorful variations of a very polymorphic species - a “typical” Mangrove Saltmarsh snake looks like this:
16. Buttermilk racer
Big Louisiana target for me - made a 3 hr. drive thanks to AlxTgr hooking me up with a hot spot, and I got this one very quickly!
17. Sonoran gopher snake
Got several on this trip, but this was the BIG one I was after.
18. Long-nosed snake
Big target of my Sept. West Texas trip and I got one right away! Beautiful colors.
19. Chihuahuan Night snake
A unique looking mildly venomous species in West Texas.
20. Slowinski’s corn snake
Another north La. find with a fairly limited range. This subspecies originated as a cross between Great Plains rat snakes and red corn snakes.
This post was edited on 1/2/25 at 12:01 pm
Posted on 1/2/25 at 11:30 am to TigrrrDad
These final 4 didn’t crack the Top 20 but are worthy of honorable mention:
21. Western coachwhip
Was hoping for a big one but was happy to get one regardless. Another polymorphic species that can range from drab tan to red to flamingo pink.
22. Canebrake rattlesnake
Fairly common in our state but I just don’t often herp their areas - best local hot spot is N.O. East, but the rattlesnakes are the least dangerous things lurking in da East. Traveled to North Louisiana for this sinister beauty.
23. Red corn snake
One of the more common Florida species, and it’s downright amazing that I caught a scarlet king, a Southern hognose, a Burmese python, and an Eastern diamondback in Florida before catching my first corn snake. My Utah buddy got one on our first Florida trip in 2023, but this one in May was my personal lifer.
24. Western mud snake
One of the most sought after species in La. - after catching one in my previous 58 years, I personally got 19 this year (plus a few by my friends in joint trips). Went on a May Mud Madness frenzy with 17 in 1 week, including consecutive nights of 4,6,4.
That’s the top dogs.
Here’s the full count for the year:
2024 Totals:
718 snakes
55 species/subspecies
Louisiana
—————-
Western mud snake 21
Western rat snake 10
Gray rat snake 1
Slowinski’s corn snake 2
Southern black racer 5
Black-masked racer 6
Buttermilk racer 1
Western ribbon snake 11
Eastern garter snake 11
Rough green snake 34
MS ring-necked snake 1
DeKay’s brown snake 1
Canebrake rattlesnake 1
Eastern copperhead 13
Northern cottonmouth 55
Glossy swamp snake 3
Broad-banded watersnake 42
Diamondback watersnake 2
Plain-bellied watersnake 8
MS green watersnake 17
——
20 species/subspecies 245
Florida
————
Burmese python 1
Southern hognose 1
Eastern coral snake 2
Scarlet kingsnake 2
Scarlet snake 77
Eastern diamondback
rattlesnake 1
Dusky pygmy rattlesnake 11
Everglades rat snake 2
White Oak (gray) rat snake 2
Red corn snake 14
Southern ring-necked snake 6
Southern black racer 8
Everglades racer 4
Eastern garter snake 14
Peninsula ribbon snake 29
Rough green snake 2
Eastern coachwhip 1
Pine Woods littersnake 1
Red-bellied snake 1
Mangrove Saltmarsh snake 13
Glossy swamp snake 1
Striped swamp snake 1
Florida cottonmouth 93
Florida banded watersnake 26
Florida green watersnake 10
Brown watersnake 10
——
26 species/subspecies 333
Texas
————
Gray-banded kingsnake 3
(2 Blair’s, 1 Alterna phase)
Western diamondback
rattlesnake 83
Ornate black-tailed
rattlesnake 11
Mojave rattlesnake 1
Trans-Pecos Copperhead 6
Trans-Pecos rat snake 6
Great Plains rat snake 3
Sonoran gopher snake 5
Bull snake 2
Long-nosed snake 1
Western coachwhip 1
Chihuahuan night snake 3
Western black-necked
garter snake 1
Checkered garter snake 9
Diamondback watersnake 1
—-
15 species/subspecies 136
Mississippi
——————
Northern cottonmouth 1
Eastern Copperhead 1
Gray rat snake 1
—
3 species 3
Oklahoma
——————
Speckled kingsnake 1
21. Western coachwhip
Was hoping for a big one but was happy to get one regardless. Another polymorphic species that can range from drab tan to red to flamingo pink.
22. Canebrake rattlesnake
Fairly common in our state but I just don’t often herp their areas - best local hot spot is N.O. East, but the rattlesnakes are the least dangerous things lurking in da East. Traveled to North Louisiana for this sinister beauty.
23. Red corn snake
One of the more common Florida species, and it’s downright amazing that I caught a scarlet king, a Southern hognose, a Burmese python, and an Eastern diamondback in Florida before catching my first corn snake.
My Utah buddy got one on our first Florida trip in 2023, but this one in May was my personal lifer. 24. Western mud snake
One of the most sought after species in La. - after catching one in my previous 58 years, I personally got 19 this year (plus a few by my friends in joint trips). Went on a May Mud Madness frenzy with 17 in 1 week, including consecutive nights of 4,6,4.
That’s the top dogs.
Here’s the full count for the year:
2024 Totals:
718 snakes
55 species/subspecies
Louisiana
—————-
Western mud snake 21
Western rat snake 10
Gray rat snake 1
Slowinski’s corn snake 2
Southern black racer 5
Black-masked racer 6
Buttermilk racer 1
Western ribbon snake 11
Eastern garter snake 11
Rough green snake 34
MS ring-necked snake 1
DeKay’s brown snake 1
Canebrake rattlesnake 1
Eastern copperhead 13
Northern cottonmouth 55
Glossy swamp snake 3
Broad-banded watersnake 42
Diamondback watersnake 2
Plain-bellied watersnake 8
MS green watersnake 17
——
20 species/subspecies 245
Florida
————
Burmese python 1
Southern hognose 1
Eastern coral snake 2
Scarlet kingsnake 2
Scarlet snake 77
Eastern diamondback
rattlesnake 1
Dusky pygmy rattlesnake 11
Everglades rat snake 2
White Oak (gray) rat snake 2
Red corn snake 14
Southern ring-necked snake 6
Southern black racer 8
Everglades racer 4
Eastern garter snake 14
Peninsula ribbon snake 29
Rough green snake 2
Eastern coachwhip 1
Pine Woods littersnake 1
Red-bellied snake 1
Mangrove Saltmarsh snake 13
Glossy swamp snake 1
Striped swamp snake 1
Florida cottonmouth 93
Florida banded watersnake 26
Florida green watersnake 10
Brown watersnake 10
——
26 species/subspecies 333
Texas
————
Gray-banded kingsnake 3
(2 Blair’s, 1 Alterna phase)
Western diamondback
rattlesnake 83
Ornate black-tailed
rattlesnake 11
Mojave rattlesnake 1
Trans-Pecos Copperhead 6
Trans-Pecos rat snake 6
Great Plains rat snake 3
Sonoran gopher snake 5
Bull snake 2
Long-nosed snake 1
Western coachwhip 1
Chihuahuan night snake 3
Western black-necked
garter snake 1
Checkered garter snake 9
Diamondback watersnake 1
—-
15 species/subspecies 136
Mississippi
——————
Northern cottonmouth 1
Eastern Copperhead 1
Gray rat snake 1
—
3 species 3
Oklahoma
——————
Speckled kingsnake 1
This post was edited on 1/2/25 at 12:19 pm
Posted on 1/2/25 at 11:49 am to TigrrrDad
Posted on 1/2/25 at 12:00 pm to TigrrrDad
j/k, keep posting
Posted on 1/2/25 at 12:06 pm to TigrrrDad
This thread is spooky.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 12:08 pm to TigrrrDad
Hey screw you man.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 12:24 pm to TigrrrDad
You’re 1-2 clicks off man. LOL
Posted on 1/2/25 at 12:40 pm to TigrrrDad
I'd have lost my last dollar, with a list like that, that you only caught 1 speckled kingsnake
Posted on 1/2/25 at 12:46 pm to TigrrrDad
damn. I wish I was as good at my hobbies as you are at yours. Very cool snakes, thanks for sharing. 
Posted on 1/2/25 at 1:00 pm to TigrrrDad
There are some beautiful snakes in there though I am not a big fan of handling snakes in general. You handling those venomous ones makes you seem half a bubble off plumb, my man. But I guess we all have our quirks, just be careful out there.
But I guess we all have our quirks, just be careful out there.Posted on 1/2/25 at 1:19 pm to SwampCollie
quote:
I'd have lost my last dollar, with a list like that, that you only caught 1 speckled kingsnake
I know, right?
A couple years ago I caught 9 hatchling kings right in my backyard. I was so focused on my road trips this year, I didn’t really hit local spots much.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 1:22 pm to TigrrrDad
If we're judging by the snake faces alone, I'd say the copperhead looks like it wants to do the most evil out of all the snakes.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 1:28 pm to ccard257
quote:
I wish I was as good at my hobbies as you are at yours
Thanks, but I had a lot of help along the way - especially from my buddy who just got tagged by that EDB. He taught me a lot about Florida, especially the Everglades, and he really taught me how to do West Texas. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could have a year like this.
Before this year I was certainly pretty good at catching snakes, but mostly stuck to areas around the house. Made the one Florida trip in 2023 but didn’t really find the good stuff then. That scarlet king/Southern hognose day not only triggered the desire in me, but it also put me on the map with other herpers. That in turn led to lots of tips/advice from out of state.
In 2025 I’ll probably focus more on individual hard to find targets. My volume will likely be way lower, but hopefully there will be some special catches (pines, milks, indigos, more alterna).
This post was edited on 1/2/25 at 1:30 pm
Posted on 1/2/25 at 1:57 pm to TigrrrDad
Is it just me or does anyone else start nervously checking around their feet when viewing the snake pic posts? I mean even if I’m sitting at my office desk.
Beautiful creatures but definitely not a hobby for me.
Beautiful creatures but definitely not a hobby for me.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 2:16 pm to WhiskeyThrottle
quote:
If we're judging by the snake faces alone, I'd say the copperhead looks like it wants to do the most evil out of all the snakes
Yeah that slanted brow ridge gives them a stern look for sure!
I think pygmy rattlers have one of the most sinister looking faces. Given their diminutive size, I guess it helps to look tough.
This post was edited on 1/2/25 at 2:21 pm
Posted on 1/2/25 at 2:46 pm to TigrrrDad
What do you do with the snakes after catching and photos?
Posted on 1/2/25 at 3:02 pm to ElJefe686
Just let them go where I caught them.
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