Photos / Sounds
What
Ensatina (Ensatina eschscholtzii)Observer
kpabitoDescription
We found many ensatinas in a rotting damp tree log at night. They moved very slowly but moved faster when warmed on my hands. They are part of the Plethodontidae family or lungless salamanders which use their skin as a breathing organ. This adaption requires a moist environment. Therefore this is the reason they are most active on a wet rainy night, and stay underground when it is dry.
To see our ensatina's slow gait follow the link below:
Photos / Sounds
What
San Diego Nightsnake (Hypsiglena ochrorhynchus ssp. klauberi)Observer
kpabitoDescription
Night snake found under rocks in an open grassland! This guy is only mildly venomous and has the fangs more posteriorly.
Photos / Sounds
What
Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer)Observer
kpabitoDescription
Found under some rocks by Sean. Gopher snake was agitated because it did not shed it's eye brille all the way.
Photos / Sounds
What
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)Observer
kpabitoDescription
House sparrows found outside the hub at ucr. Outside 70 degrees with 20% cloud cover. 2 adults and 1 juvenile.
Photos / Sounds
What
Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta ssp. elegans)Observer
kpabitoDescription
There are many Red-eared sliders at the pond of the UCR Botanical Garden. They will come up to you like this one because they think you have food for them. Key features is the red strip behind their eyes, dark olive carapace, and yellow plastron. Males have a groove underneath the plastron.
invasivespecies
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Whiptail (Aspidoscelis tigris)Observer
kpabitoDescription
A very small Aspidoscelis tigris caught by Sean. He is male because of the post anal scales located ventrally. He is part of the family Teiidae because of the family's distinct rectangular scales on a transverse row and smaller granular scales located dorsally. You can tell it is juvenile because of the size but also the very well defined stripes. These will fade with age. Key features are slender snout, slender body, and long tail.
DrChrisClark catching more lizards in the bushes
Photos / Sounds
What
Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer)Observer
kpabitoDescription
This gopher snake was found under one of the planks of the UCR botanical garden right next to the green houses. It was very friendly and docile. Key features are the narrow head that is bearly distingiushable from the neck (unlike a rattle snake), rounded elliptical pupils, tapered tail.
Photos / Sounds
What
Granite Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus orcutti)Observer
kpabitoDescription
Found a Sceloporus orcutii that is very smiley and guarding its territory near the green houses at the UCR botanical gardens. Thier key features are keeled scales that make them look very prickly.
Photos / Sounds
What
California Tree Frog (Pseudacris cadaverina)Observer
kpabitoDescription
This Pseudacris cadaverina was found while hiking at Etiwanda Nature preserve when it was 80 degrees with no cloud cover at 11:32am. We had to go off the main trail and find a stream where the different species of frog are found at different parts (ie upstream vs downstream). This Pseudacris cadaverina is a lighter color because they are adapted to blend in with the light boulders (seen in picture #3). The key features to tell it is a Pseudacris cadaverina is the light color, the wide mouth, thick toe pads, and lack of a eye stripe (seen in picture #2). Also caught is a juvenile P. cadaverina (seen in picture #4). If you notice the diffirence in size; the juvenile is only half the size of my distal phalanx. The juvenile probably just recently undergone metamorphosis from a tadpole.
