what is the best time / season to visit Israel

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what is the best time / season to visit Israel

Postby Marcel Haak » Wed May 07, 2014 1:14 pm

I have a question,
I am considering a herping- trip to Israel next year.
Can anyone give me some information about which time or season is the best suited for herping?

kind regards

Marcel Haak
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Re: what is the best time / season to visit Israel

Postby Shani Cohen » Sat May 10, 2014 11:46 am

Hi Marcel,
The best time for herping in Israel is during the spring or the autumn.
In my opinion, April is the best month for day searcing,
while May and September are best for the night active reptiles.
Check out my reptiles gallery on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/shanicy

Shani
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Re: what is the best time / season to visit Israel

Postby Marcel Haak » Sat May 10, 2014 8:00 pm

hi Shani,
Thank you for the information!
I am gathering all the information i can find about herping in Israel.
There ar a lot of tripreports for me to read and i saw there is a good book available the Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Israel.

kind regards Marcel Haak
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Re: what is the best time / season to visit Israel

Postby GertJan Verspui » Mon May 12, 2014 7:38 am

Hi Marcel,

I have been there last sep oct, we found a lot, but night herping was not so good anymore, we did not find a lot on the roads at night.

Next saterday I will go there again, so a week after ythat I can give you some more info about herping there in May.

Tripreport about last year can be found on my website.

Gert Jan.
Amphibian & Reptile Adventures http://www.gertjanverspui.com
Instagram: @gj.verspui_wildlife
Facebook: Gerrit Jan Verspui
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Re: what is the best time / season to visit Israel

Postby Kristian Munkholm » Mon May 12, 2014 8:45 am

This time of year is great - based on what I hear + the one time I've been there in late May (21-25, 5 days, 41 species (14 snakes, 2 turtles, 2 anurans, 23 lizards)). I guess you'll find a little more in the daytime under cover in particular slightly earlier in the year.

I've also been there in mid October (which should also be good) with significantly less success - 13 days, 28 species (5 snakes, 3 turtles, 1 anuran, 18 lizards). This, however, was not a herping trip but rather a family vacation so you can't compare compare directly. One thing stands out, though - snakes, in particular on the road and in the daytime.

In May I found 14 snakes of 3 species in 2 nights in the dunes
In October 4 snakes of 3 species in 2 nights in the dunes

In May I found 11 snakes of 7 species in three nights of road cruising
In October I found 2 dor snakes of 2 species in three nights of road cruising

In May I found 8 snakes of 7 species in the daytime (one under a rock and one trapped in a hole)
In October I found just three shed skins in the daytime (one under a board and one in a hole)

Another thing that stands out - animals found under cover.

In May I found as far 11 species under rocks, boards and the like.
In October I found 4.
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Re: what is the best time / season to visit Israel

Postby Marcel Haak » Tue May 13, 2014 10:26 pm

Many thanks for your detailed informations , I gues spring seams a little better than autum.
And that a lot of animals are found under rocks and material.
Would end februari/ begining of march be to early for herping?

kind regards

Marcel Haak

ps. Gert Jan, I wish you a nice vacation and good hunting!
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Re: what is the best time / season to visit Israel

Postby Kristian Munkholm » Wed May 14, 2014 7:32 am

Marcel Haak wrote:...a lot of animals are found under rocks and material.


No more than other places, I'd say. Of the 48 species I've found in Israel there are only two I've only found under cover (5 specimens). Also, this is highly seasonably dependent. You will find much more under cover early in the year when it is still reasonably cool and moist.

Marcel Haak wrote:Would end februari/ begining of march be to early for herping?


I'm certain you could find something but you'd probably have to do a lot of flipping and it won't be nearly as productive as April or May,
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