Not found yet

[Jürgen Gebhart]

But you already know all that, I suppose.

Of course, let me say it in other words, the ammodytes from around Bozen are my personal nightmare.

[Bobby Bok]

Bobby, did you forget about Hemorrhois algirus?

No, I haven't. I just concluded this species no longers occurs in Europe or simply doesn't exist.

Of course this species would also be one for my NFY list.

I checked and if I only count "find-it-yourself", I would still have to go and find 1 newt species, 3 species of frogs, a sea turtle, 1 or 2 lizard species and a smashing 10 species of snakes to complete the Euro list. Luckily, I allow myself a lazier way of twitching - as you can see, my snake list would be a lot shorter if it wasn't for the help of many, many others.

Ha! One way to beat the God! Only 10 herp species on my twitchlist are not found by myself. Maybe another fun thread for the avid twitchers amongst us?

[Jeroen Speybroeck]

Ha! One way to beat the God! Only 10 herp species on my twitchlist are not found by myself.

I have always been known to exploit young and able men & I have to be lazy to fit the definition GJ gives to scientists in his Oman report.
Other than that, there are too many ways you and many can and are beating me. In other words, the qualities of a herper are not related to the length of his lifelist

[Berislav Horvatic]

But you already know all that, I suppose.

Of course, let me say it in other words, the ammodytes from around Bozen are my personal nightmare.

Sorry, Jürgen, I have really never doubted you know, I just wanted to raise the question of what actually counts
(here, in this "thread") as "not yet found" - a species, a subspecies, a "race" (morph), a specific local population,
... or just "anything of the above that frustrates me". I strongly vote for the last, which covers your case as well.

Regarding the question "found by me personally and caught with my own hands" vs. "the next guy a few meters
from me got it first", I do not see big difference and simply ignore it. E.g., I've seen quite a few H. (viridiflavus)
carbonarius, but have never grabbed any of them with my own hand. Nonetheless I count them as "consumated".

The issue of "someone had sent me to a precise location" vs. "I've found it myself, without anyone's help" is actually
an another cup of tea, which I also don't find terribly important. Frends help each other, that's only natural. Of course
I can understand someone's pride at having found something without anyone's help at all, but what's the point? If
someone really wants to do it "the hard(est) way", so be it. I lavishly give hints and advices to others, and most
gratefully accept them as well. Life is short, too short. Ars longa, vita brevis...

[Carl Corbidge]

Bastard Ladder Snake a made up species that apparently doesn't occur in Spain when I go.

[Jeroen Speybroeck]

I obviously agree, Bero.

Of course I can understand someone's pride at having found something without anyone's help at all, but what's the point?

And in the end, everybody gets help, because otherwise you would not know in which country a species lives, or even be ignorant about its existence

On the other hand, I have preyed on people who see things differently, haha

[Berislav Horvatic]

And in the end, everybody gets help, because otherwise you would not know
in which country a species lives, or even be ignorant about its existence

Of course I meant a much more specific and direct, first-hand help, as you obviously understand...

On the other hand, I have preyed on people who see things differently, haha

Willing to expand/explain that, for the poor creatures who might not follow?

[Ronald Zimmerman]

I have a very long list with European species I still have to see, but an adult Ladder Snake always seem to commit suicide on the road just before I arrive.

[Peter Oefinger]

The Pyrenean Iberolacertas have been my personal Waterloo.
Fuck herping - let's die!

[Bert Vandebosch]

Malopolon monspessulanus!!! I've seen them plenty of times (so they are actually already on the list) but they always escape me before a picture. Not a single even crappy shot ever.
About the ladder snake: Be careful what you wish for. Once you find it, you will get so frustrated trying to photograph them, you almost would like to squeeze it to death. They behave like wormsnakes on speed who on top of it bite like crazy. Or is that just me?