After an extended and record-breaking winter, spring quickly gave way to an early summer in the Lone Star State.  We’ve already hit the century mark on the ol’ thermometer, and heat and humidity have driven sensible people into the comfort of air conditioning.  But now is the time to get out and about if you want to see herps.  You see, here in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex we’re experiencing a snake and alligator explosion.  Yes, I said alligators.

The weather over the past year has given rise to perfect conditions for snakes, but the changing climate in this part of the world has also made DFW a perfect place for alligators.

Since last summer more than eight alligators have been captured and relocated due to their nearness to schools and residential areas.  And it’s suspected that this, the largest extant alligator species, now inhabits nearly all waterways in and around the metroplex, including the lakes where people swim.  Which, as you can suspect, has made this territorial expansion fascinating for some and worrisome for others.  But seeing these crocodilians in places like Plano, Arlington, Dallas, Ft. Worth and Kaufman has made for many a smile amongst those of us who can’t get enough of these large critters.

In addition to the growing alligator presence, the number of animals (mainly pets) bitten by snakes has more than doubled in the last three months.  The weather has been perfect for our scaled, legless friends.  That means they’re out in force, roaming about in yards and parks—and even on roads and driveways.  Our many venomous species are making a grand appearance, but so are the large number of nonvenomous species.  The slithering around North Texas is nearly audible.

Why does all this matter?

The deadline for submitting to House of Herps #7 is fast approaching.  June 15 will be here before you know it, and that’s the last day for getting your entry into the next celebration of all things herpetological.  Given the sudden overflow of herps right here in the middle of the big city and the rapid approach of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, finding reptiles and amphibians should increasingly present no problems for anyone who goes outside.

So get out there and find some herps.  Then blog about your experience.  And then remember to send your submission to submissions [at] houseofherps [dot] com no later than June 15.  The carnival will then be posted around June 18.

Oh, one more thing.  Though we have hosts lined up for most of the year, we’re still looking for someone to host this edition and the October edition of the carnival dedicated to these ectothermic tetrapods.  If you’re interested in hosting, send an e-mail to submissions [at] houseofherps [dot] com and let us know.  Please remember to include a link to your blog.

Now, get off the internet and go outside!