PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

Crockett county lies on the northwestern edge of the Stockton Plateau and on the southern edge of the Permian Basin. The western and southern portion of the county are composed of Limestone hills and mesas cut by canyons. The northeastern portion of the county is primarily rolling grassland habitat, unsuitable for L. alterna. The western boundary of Crockett county is the Pecos river, which forms a relatively deep canyon, the hillsides which make up the canyon's walls are prime habitat for alterna. Crockett county is fairly large, measuring 2,794 square miles in size.

CLIMATE

Crockett county averages 18.2" of rain per year. This rainfall supports a wide variety of plant life. Mesquites, acacias, and creosotes predominate in the flats, while juniper and scrub oaks can be found on the hillsides. Cacti, lecheguilla, sotol, and yucca are common, particularly in rocky areas.

POPULATION

Crockett county has a population of 4,165 people, most of whom live in the city of Ozona. The only other "town" is Ft. Lancaster, a ghost town and state park near the Pecos River, inhabited only by a few park employees. Crockett county is mostly a ranching county, with sheep being the main business. Oil fields are also present, particularly in the northern part of the county.

POPULAR L. alterna LOCALITIES

For the amount of habitat present in the county, very few specimens have ever been collected here (no museum records exist), and no "popular" localities really exist. However, virtually any locality south of I-10 or west of Tx Hwy 137 which has suitable habitat could produce alterna.

US Hwy 190, East of Iraan
Several suitable roadcuts exist in this area, several of which are known to produce Rock Rattlesnakes (Crotalus lepidus) in abundance, although very few alterna have been collected here.

Ft. Lancaster, US Hwy 290
Just to the east of Ft. Lancaster State Historic Site US Hwy 290 passes through a series of magnificent roadcuts. Several specimens are now known from here.

Habitat

Specimens

Howard Draw Road/FM 2083
Running along Howard Draw from Ozona to Pandale, FM 2083 passes through fairly good habitat for much of its length, although often the habitat is not quite as close to the road as is optimal. Several specimens are now known from here.

Habitat

Specimens

Juno Road, Tx Hwy 163
In the very southeastern corner of the county, Tx Hwy 163 begins to enter alterna habitat. The best habitat lies to the south, in Val Verde county, and most collectors focus their efforts there. Several roadkill specimens are known from Juno Road in Crockett county, however.

I-10 - throughout its length in Crockett County
I-10 passes in and out of suitable L. alterna habitat, the best of which lies near the Pecos River. Do not try road-cruising the interstate!!! Park and walk if you are interested in collecting here. One L. alterna is known to have been collected just east of the Pecos River along I-10.