Field Herping is LIFE!
Field herping means going into the wild in search of reptiles and amphibians, and I try to get out into the field as much as possible to study and photograph herps in situ. I’ve been a field herper all of my life, and I get excited every year when spring rolls around because that means it’s herping season again in the US.
Most of the herping that I do is in the deserts of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. My wife and I have some land outside of Big Bend National Park, and it’s some of the best field herping in the country. I’ve been herping the Chihuahuan Desert for over 30 years, and I’ve found most of the species in the Trans-Pecos.
There are several different ways to herp. Most folks are familiar with road cruising, which simply means driving slowly down roads at night to look for reptiles and amphibians crossing or resting on roads. Road cruising is actually illegal in some states. Most of the herping that I do in Texas involves pulling off the side of the road and walking “cuts” with a flashlight. “Cuts” are manmade rock cliffs where the highway department blasted the land with dynamite for road development. The last way I herp involves walking through habitat during the day (more often at night) in search of reptiles and amphibians. I prefer getting out and walking over road cruising, but some areas do not have shoulders so road cruising is the only viable option.
A “lifer” is a new species that a herper discovers when in the field, and it is the reason that we continue to get out and look for specimens. I don’t keep any of the animals that I find in the wild. I simply photograph them when I can and send them on their way.
Fielding herping is such a rewarding endeavor and requires very few supplies. When you’re herping at night, a good flashlight is fundanemnatlly important. I use Fenix flashlights exclusively. I alway take 3 with me, with plenty of backup batteries. Many of my friends also use headlamps when herping at night, but I only use my flashlight(s). A really good snake stick like one from Midwest Tongs is great when you come across venomous and/or cantankerous specimens. I also use some of my less expensive sticks to flip rocks and debris. You’ll also want to have a good pair of gloves when digging through brush and rocks. In Texas, a safety vest is required to wear at all times at night so others can see you. Those are the most important tools of the trade. I take extensive notes on the specimens that I find, so I often carry a small notebook or simply make notes on my iPhone. A temperature gun and hygrometer are great tools if detailed field data is desired. That’s about it. Water, specimen cups and bags if collecting, and maybe a small backpack to keep all of your supplies.
Oh, one last thing. I document all of my finds on iNaturalist. “iNaturalist is a social network for sharing biodiversity information to help each other learn about nature. The primary goal is to connect people to nature, and the secondary goal is to generate scientifically valuable biodiversity data from these personal encounters.”