"Herping" means searching for reptiles and amphibians in the wild. The word comes from "herpetology," which is the study of reptiles and amphibians. Plenty of information is available on the internet pertaining to reptiles and amphibians in the wild, including several forums which are dedicated solely to field collecting. Quite a few herping books have also been written over the years, most notably Carl Kauffeld's classic Snakes and Snake Hunting.
Reptile enthusiasts involved solely in the captive care of reptiles and amphibians are missing out on one of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of the hobby. The thrill of the hunt and the ecstasy that results from a great capture or find is one that all reptile and amphibian enthusiasts should experience.
Herping is not easy sometimes, and beginners will often not know where to start and be unsuccessful and get discouraged. When you first get started, you may hear of other herpers finding dozens of interesting creatures while you are routinely getting skunked. Knowledge of where to go, when to go and how to look is very important in order to be successful.
Herping Methods
How, when and where you should look depends on a great many factors, including the season, weather, recent rainfall, moon cycle, and location. Three main herping methods are hiking, flipping and night driving. The most effective method varies depending on where you are herping and what you are searching for. Night driving is most effective in areas where most species are nocturnal due to extremely high daytime temperatures. Flipping is usually most effective in moderate temperatures in moister areas such as grasslands or forests. Hiking is usually not the best way to find large numbers of herps; however, it can be the most rewarding and in certain habitats it may be the most effective (or only available) method.
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