Photos / Sounds
What
Long-nosed Snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Encountered this long-nosed snake constricting and attempting to eat a long-nosed leopard lizard. The leopard lizard ultimately escaped after several minutes of playing dead.
Photos / Sounds
What
Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Until today, I had never seen a rattlesnake this late in the year in the Western Mojave Desert. The temperature was about 70 degrees F when I saw this little baby. It was only 7-8 inches long.
Photos / Sounds
What
Mojave Desert Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes ssp. cerastes)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Comparative photos, both with a tripod. First photo with camera flash. Second photo, fluorescing under 365 nanometer ultraviolet light with ZWB2 bandpass filter centered on 365 nm.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Leaf-nosed Snake (Phyllorhynchus decurtatus)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Total length about 12 inches.
Photos / Sounds
What
Northern Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus ssp. scutulatus)Observer
gregwatson
Photos / Sounds
What
Mojave Desert Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes ssp. cerastes)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
These two sidewinders were not mating, and appeared merely to be lying in a pile. The much larger sidewinder appeared to be gravid.
Photos / Sounds
What
Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus ssp. oreganus)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
This snake was very inactive, and moved very little during our encounter. It was still in the same location at 1210 PDT. Air temperature was 55 F at initial encounter.
There's some question whether this could be a C. stephensi. Opinions please!
Photos / Sounds
What
Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus, length about 12 inches. Its nose and the top of its head looked injured or soiled.
Photos / Sounds
What
Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
This individual was calm during my initial photos beyond 30 feet (included here). It was very unhappy to be caught in the open as I approached. Length about 30 inches.
Photos / Sounds
What
Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Crotalus scutulatus. Not a hint of green on this snake.
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Sauromalus ater, very camera shy. All shots were beyond 10 feet except while it was hiding in the crack.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana ssp. elegans)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Male Uta stansburiana elegans in breeding colors, dominating his rock. His tail is living a new life.
Photos / Sounds
What
Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus. This was the same individual that I photographed on 17 Feb a few feet further southeast. Its greenish cast was more evident in the previous photographs. Compare photographs showing details on the head for both dates. The three scales between the supraoculars have the same shapes/sizes.
Photos / Sounds
What
Mojave Desert Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes ssp. cerastes)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Crotalus cerastes cerastes. We were a bit surprised to see this snake out and about with the temperature at 55F. However, it had been a warm day
Photos / Sounds
What
Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus. This individual displayed a defensive behavior I had never seen before from a rattlesnake. It initially postured in strike position, then hid its head under its body and went silent. It also made a slight hissing noise -- might have been inhaling to inflate its body. Perhaps because it was less mobile at 60F for typical defensive behavior?
Photos / Sounds
What
Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Mojave rattlesnake, Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus
Photos / Sounds
What
Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Sidewinder. Should be C. cerastes cerastes in our area, but the tail coloring is what I would expect for C. cerastes laterorepens.
Photos / Sounds
What
Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Mating horned lizards
Photos / Sounds
What
Mojave Desert Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes ssp. cerastes)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
This was the fifth consecutive evening I had seen what was probably the same sidewinder lying under the same bush. It has always been there in the late afternoons, never present after dark. This is hopefully an ongoing observation of a single individual.
Photos / Sounds
What
Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Two sidewinders were lying motionless together in a clump. Took this photo from about 15 ft away. When approached, the upper individual immediately fled. The lower individual was reluctant to move when we attempted to chase it off the road.
Photos / Sounds
What
Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus uniformis)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Sceloporus uniformis -- adult male
Photos / Sounds
What
Northern Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis ssp. dorsalis)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Dipsosaurus dorsalis ssp dorsalis. Looks like it might be a gravid female.
Photos / Sounds
What
Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Crotalus cerastes ssp cerastes, cruising/hunting
Photos / Sounds
What
Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Crotalus cerastes ssp cerastes, cruising/hunting
Photos / Sounds
What
Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Phrynosoma platyrhinos
Photos / Sounds
What
Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Phrynosoma platyrhinos
Photos / Sounds
What
Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Crotalus cerastes ssp cerastes, about 9" and 14". No obvious interaction between them.
Photos / Sounds
What
Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Crotalus cerastes ssp cerastes, cruising/hunting
Photos / Sounds
What
Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Crotalus cerastes ssp cerastes, cruising/hunting
Photos / Sounds
What
Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes)Observer
gregwatsonDescription
Crotalus cerastes ssp cerastes, hunting/cruising
