(Photos courtesy of: Rob Winward, Kyle Vargas, Roger Walker, & Aaron Polifka)
Álamos and Yécora, in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Sonora, Mexico, offer outstanding herping due to their diverse habitats and high species richness.
Key Habitats
Álamos (Lowlands, Tropical Deciduous Forest): Hot, semi-arid terrain with thorn scrub, tropical dry forest, and seasonal streams.
Yécora (Highlands, Pine-Oak Forest): Cooler, more humid montane habitat with riparian zones and cloud forest remnants.
Target Herpetofauna
Rattlesnakes: Mexican West coast rattlesnake (Crotalus basiliscus), Chihuahuan ridgenose rattlesnake (C. willardi silus) , Banded rock rattlesnake (C. lepidus klauberi), Mexican black-tailed rattlesnake (C. molossus nigrescens). Also notable Viperidae: Mexican Cantil (Agkistrodon bilineatus).
Helodermatids: Heloderma horridum exasperatum (Mexican beaded lizard).
Colubrids: Tarahumara Mountain Kingsnake (Lampropeltis knoblochi),Central American Indigo (Drymarchon Melanurus), Mexican Lyre Snake (Trimorphodon Tau), West Mexican Milksnake (Lampropeltis Polyzona), Banded Black Snake (Tropidodipsas Repleta), & MANY more.
Elapidae: West Mexican Coralsnake (Micrurus Distans), Sonoran Coralsnake (Micruroides Euryxanthus).
Boids: Lichanura trivirgata (rosy boa) Boa sigma (West Mexican boa constrictor).
Other Lizards: Sonoran Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura Macrolopha), Western Mexican Whiptail (Aspidoscelis Costatus), Regal Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma Solare) Madrean Alligator Lizard (Elgaria Kingii)
Amphibians: Mexican Giant Tree Frog (Agalychnis Dacnicolor), Mexican Smilisca (Smilisca Baudinii), Lowland Burrowing Frog (Smilisca Fodeins), Sonoran Desert Toad (Incilius Alvarius), Tarahumara Salamander (Ambystoma Rosaceum)
Why August?
Peak monsoon season triggers high reptile and amphibian activity.
Road cruising is highly productive for snakes.
Riparian areas are ideal for amphibians and aquatic species.
