goody

Hello, all. My wife is attending a conference in San Antonio from May 2 - 7, and I will have a few of those days free. Being a wildlife nut, I don't want to squander my opportunity to see some neat stuff while visiting Texas. I'm mostly interested in herps (amphibians and reptiles) and invertebrates (yes, those arachnids and insects), but just being outdoors is wonderful for me.

Does anyone have suggestions of places to visit that are no more than 30-45 minutes from San Antonio? Heck, if it's a special place, I'd even drive an hour or so. I've looked at my atlas and have looked a little online, but I figured I'd get much better information from people who LIVE in Texas.

Thank you in advance for the input!
~ Aaron

dwalsdorf

Lots to see in that spread. Great time, also--not too hot yet. For starters, there is Guadalupe River State Park. It's just north of town off of Hwy 46 just west of Hwy 281. Entry fee gets you down to the river all day. Lots of critters if you venture and stay quiet--not many herps other than turtles and lizards. I've never seen a snake out there, but I'm sure they are around. Also, hit one of two caverns--Cascade Caverns in Boerne (up I-10) or Natural Bridge Caverns in Garden Ridge (just up I-35 a bit). You might find some interesting stuff around the edges or just below surface. If you have a half a day, hit New Braunfels/Gruene and rent a kayak or raft, and you can stick to the slow parts of the Guadalupe River for observations of stuff. Companies pick you up downstream--easy stuff. Also, our Zoo has a pretty good selection of herps--including Monitor Lizards and LOTS of snakes in the Reptile House. Lastly, and I'm serious, consider Sea World--if they are open then. They have some really neat tree frogs at the coral reef collection. Also have gators, but not great for observing. Oh, and if they aren't crowded (shouldn't be then), you can ride the 2 coasters over and over again. :cool:

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goody

Thanks for the tips. I can't believe you were the only one to respond. I guess people just aren't checking the site like I thought they would. At least I have a starting point, which is good.

As for the zoo, that trip is a given since I'm a zookeeper. I never miss a chance to see another zoo when I travel. It gives me ideas, I can sometimes meet up with other keepers, and I often see species that we are unable to exhibit.


Thanks again!
Aaron

Shannon

I think the lack of replies is due to folks getting out and enjoying the wonderful weather we have been having lately here in San Antonio and thoughout Texas.

I second the previous recommendations, and offer up a few others -- Hill Country State Natural Area in Bandera (about 40+ minutes out, so just slightly beyond your desired travel time) has all sorts of spiders and lizards, if all my camping experiences there are a reliable indication. I have enough trouble identifying birds, so I'm afraid I can't name species off the top of my head. Hill Country SNA is one of the few parks I've camped at that still has "lightning bugs", for example.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area near Fredericksburg might be a treat. Again, the place is a haven for lizards -- they love the pink granite outcrops, and the crevices, caves and crannies that accompany them.

If you really, really feel like driving, one of the parks unlike all the others in the state is Palmetto State Park in Gonzales. It's swampy and a "whole 'nother world," and that's saying something in a state that bills itself as a "whole 'nother country".

PS: When you visit Guadalupe River State Park, if you happen to be there on a Saturday, do take the guided Honey Creek State Natural Area tour. It's an inexpensive donation (couple bucks) for a walking tour of the Natural Area which is located in Guadalupe River State Park and not open to the public except for tours.

Hope you enjoy your time here in San Antonio! I've called it home for nearly my entire 31 years, and Justin's been here forever.

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Unregistered

i have seen crevice spiny lizards at enchanted rock. it's a special place. also try the new government canyon state natural area northwest of san antonio - 8000 acres with elevation changes. and i saw a baird's rat snake at lost maples state park.