(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.

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