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for hundreds of snakes of several species from a large surrounding area. 
Not all species, nor perhaps all age groups of a species, use such sites. 
Individual snakes and small groups of snakes may winter in rodent burrows, 
small crevices, and even in ant hills. During the summer the snakes dis- 
perse, and few remain in a den area. In the fall during the last warm days 
before winter, they again gather at the den and sun themselves at or near 
the den entrance. Dens are best located by questioning local residents 
who may remember a place where they have seen large concentrations of 
snakes in the spring or fall and may be able to give directions to it. Migrations 
of snakes across roads in the spring and fall are additional evidence of the 
proximity and direction of a den. A classic study of a snake den has been 
presented by Woodbury, etai. (1951), and additional comments and biblio- 
graphy are given by Woodbury and Parker (1956). 
Road driving. Good collecting results may be obtained by driving along 
rural roads at 10 to 15 miles an hour and stopping to collect or identify each 
specimen seen. Often dead specimens will be fresh and sufficiently intact to 
be worth preserving. A record should be kept of every specimen seen, 
whether collected or not, and localities may be noted by mileage readings, to a 
tenth of a mile, from the nearest town along the road. On well-travelled 
roads, where slow driving and repeated stops are illegal and dangerous, a white 
cloth attached to a weight might be tossed to the side of the road to mark the 
spot where a specimen was seen until the car can be turned around at a more 
convenient place. Road driving is particularly effective for snakes in some 
areas, and Schmidt and Davis (1941), Fitch (1949), Campbell (1956), and 
others have presented examples of the data which may be obtained. Early 
morning, late afternoon, and after dark are the most productive periods. 
Rainy nights, particularly warm nights in the early spring, are the most 
productive for amphibians which migrate to breeding ponds under such condi- 
tions. Female turtles may be found crossing roads in the late spring and early 
summer when they are searching for suitable egg-laying sites. 
Collecting Equipment 
Snake sticks and grippers. Various devices have been invented for use in 
capturing and restraining snakes. A stick, forked at the tip, has been used to 
pin snakes, but it is ineffective unless the ground beneath the snake is soft. 
A stick with an ‘L’ metal bracket at the end is useful to pin snakes or to slip 
under them to lift them up. A stick with a M’-shaped metal end is also used 
for the latter purpose. Most snakes when lifted by mid-body with such a 
stick will balance themselves on it when held off the ground. Snake grippers 
or snake-tongs are an excellent device for capturing or holding snakes. They 
are made of aluminium, with simple jaws at one end and a handle with a 
lever to close the jaws at the other. They have been described and figured 
by Pillstrom (1954) and may be obtained from a commercial manufacturer. 
Potato hoe and stevedore hook. The three- or five-pronged potato hoe, 
obtainable at hardware stores, is very useful for turning boards, logs, stones, 
and other cover when searching for specimens. The stevedore hook is 
similarly used and has a ‘T’-shaped handle and a ‘J’-shaped end for gripping 
objects to turn them. Both reduce the labour involved in turning cover and 
are essential where such cover may shelter poisonous snakes. 
Headlamp. A light which can be strapped on the forehead with a 
container for batteries or a battery pack that can be attached to the belt or 
