POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE & SANTA CRUZ
Back to herping - herp habitat.

The only Pacific Ringneck Snake that I found on the trip.

False Tarantulas share many similar characteristics as “real” tarantulas, which is why the two are often confused.

The Pacific Gopher Snake can produce a loud hiss when agitated or fearful. This species will also inflate its body, flatten its head, and vigorously shake its tail when threatened.

Sun Cup.

A Santa Cruz Garter Snake in Santa Cruz County. This species fills the niche of a Water Snake in the Golden State; it is often found around ponds and creeks.

California Sea Lion.

Slender Salamander - its “slender” image comes from short limbs, a long, slender body with a narrow head and a very long tail. This gives them a worm-like appearance.

Pigeon Guillemot.

Herp Habitat.

Aquatic Intergrade Garter Snake - Marin County is a locality where all three subspecies of aquatic Garter Snakes (Santa Cruz, Oregon and Diablo Range Garter Snake) naturally intergrade.

The California Red-legged Frog became famous for being the frog featured in Mark Twain’s short story The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.

California Red-sided Garter Snake - this snake is rivaled only by the San Francisco Garter Snake in color, with its bright red and black bars covering the sides of its body and a distinct turquoise or yellowish dorsal stripe.

The Douglas Iris was first described by 19th century botanist David Douglas Scottish who traveled through the American Northwest collecting a variety of plants. He also has the Douglas Fir named after him.

Spotted Towhee - this is a handsome and conspicuous bird that I enjoy seeing on my trips out west.

Coast Garter Snake - despite its subspecies name terrestris, it is often found near water. Open sections of conifer forests, fields, foothills and along creeks and at the edges of ponds are some of the spots where I’ve found them.

Western Fence Lizard - largely based on temperature, individuals can lighten or darken considerably; when individuals darken, their markings become difficult to see.

California Red-sided Garter Snake - this subspecies of the common garter is found soley in California, traversing almost the entire state’s coastal region. I have often found it along waterways, where it is wary and hard to catch.

Otters.

Western Columbine.

Aquatic Intergrade Garter Snakes eat fish, salamanders, toads and newts. They do not have venom, nor do they constrict to subdue prey. Instead, they quickly grab prey by mouth and swallow it whole.