12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

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Mike Rochford
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12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by Mike Rochford »

When combining a few months in 2005 with the time I have lived in California in 2012 I have lived here for about 12 months (although I was born here and lived here until I was ten but I wasn't herping back then). Here is my attempt to lifelist as much of the state as possible during this time. Disclaimer: I'm not dedicated to finding the species IN California so some of the animals pictured are from neighboring states. Out of convenience, I'll make a list using the taxonomy on californiaherps.com. Species I have seen are in green text. Species I haven't seen are in red. I haven't photographed every species I've seen, but I have got pics of most.

Updated 02 April 2017 to include finds from a week-long trip.

Salamanders

Ambystoma californiense California Tiger Salamander
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Ambystoma gracile Northwestern Salamander
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Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum Santa Cruz Long-toed Salamander
Ambystoma macrodactylum sigillatum Southern Long-toed Salamander
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Ambystoma mavortium Barred Tiger Salamander
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Dicamptodon ensatus California Giant Salamander
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Dicamptodon tenebrosus Coastal Giant Salamander
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Aneides ferreus Clouded Salamander
Aneides flavipunctatus flavipunctatus Speckled Black Salamander
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Aneides flavipunctatus niger Santa Cruz Black Salamander
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Aneides lugubris Arboreal Salamander
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Aneides vagrans Wandering Salamander
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Batrachoseps altasierrae Greenhorn Mountains Slender Salamander
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Batrachoseps attenuatus California Slender Salamander
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Batrachoseps bramei Fairview Slender Salamander
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Batrachoseps campi Inyo Mountains Slender Salamander
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Batrachoseps diabolicus Hell Hollow Slender Salamander
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Batrachoseps gabrieli San Gabriel Mountains Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps gavilanensis Gabilan Mountains Slender Salamander
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Batrachoseps gregarius Gregarious Slender Salamander
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Batrachoseps incognitus San Simeon Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps kawia Sequoia Slender Salamander
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Batrachoseps luciae Santa Lucia Mountains Slender Salamander
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Batrachoseps major aridus Desert Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps major major Garden Slender Salamander
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Batrachoseps minor Lesser Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps nigriventris Black-bellied Slender Salamander
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Batrachoseps pacificus Channel Islands Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps regius Kings River Slender Salamander
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Batrachoseps relictus Relictual Slender Salamander
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Batrachoseps robustus Kern Plateau Slender Salamander
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Batrachoseps simatus Kern Canyon Slender Salamander
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Batrachoseps stebbinsi Tehachapi Slender Salamander
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Ensatina eschscholtzii croceater Yellow-blotched Ensatina
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Ensatina eschscholtzii eschscholtzii Monterey Ensatina
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Ensatina eschscholtzii klauberi Large-blotched Ensatina
Ensatina eschscholtzii oregonensis Oregon Ensatina
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Ensatina eschscholtzii picta Painted Ensatina
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Ensatina eschscholtzii platensis Sierra Nevada Ensatina
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Ensatina eschscholtzii xanthoptica Yellow-eyed Ensatina
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Hydromantes brunus Limestone Salamander
Hydromantes platycephalus Mount Lyell Salamander
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Hydromantes shastae Shasta Salamander
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Plethodon asupak Scott Bar Salamander
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Plethodon dunni Dunn's Salamander
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Plethodon elongatus Del Norte Salamander
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Plethodon stormi Siskiyou Mountains Salamander

Rhyacotriton variegatus Southern Torrent Salamander
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Taricha granulosa Rough-skinned Newt
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Taricha rivularis Red-bellied Newt
Taricha sierrae Sierra Newt
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Taricha torosa California Newt
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Frogs

Anaxyrus boreas boreas Boreal Toad
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Anaxyrus boreas halophilus California Toad
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Anaxyrus californicus Arroyo Toad
Anaxyrus canorus Yosemite Toad
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Anaxyrus cognatus Great Plains Toad
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Anaxyrus exsul Black Toad
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Anaxyrus microscaphus Arizona Toad
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Anaxyrus punctatus Red-spotted Toad
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Anaxyrus woodhousii woodhousii Rocky Mountain Toad
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Incilius alvarius F Sonoran Desert Toad
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Ascaphus truei Coastal Tailed Frog
Lithobates berlandieri I Rio Grande Leopard Frog
Lithobates catesbeianus I American Bullfrog
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Lithobates pipiens Northern Leopard Frog
Lithobates sphenocephalus I Southern Leopard Frog
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Lithobates yavapaiensis F Lowland Leopard Frog
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Rana aurora Northern Red-legged Frog
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Rana boylii Foothill Yellow-legged Frog
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Rana cascadae Cascades Frog
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Rana draytonii California Red-legged Frog
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Rana luteiventris Columbia Spotted Frog
Rana muscosa Southern Mountain Yellow-legged Frog
Rana pretiosa Oregon Spotted Frog
Rana sierrae Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged Frog
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Pseudacris cadaverina California Treefrog
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Pseudacris hypochondriaca Baja California Treefrog
Pseudacris regilla Northern Pacific Treefrog
Pseudacris sierra Sierran Treefrog
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Scaphiopus couchii Couch's Spadefoot
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Spea hammondii Western Spadefoot
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Spea intermontana Great Basin Spadefoot
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Xenopus laevis I African Clawed Frog

Turtles

Caretta caretta Loggerhead Sea Turtle
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Chelonia mydas Green Sea Turtle
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Eretmochelys imbricata bissa Pacific Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Lepidochelys olivacea Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

Chelydra serpentina serpentina I Eastern Snapping Turtle
Dermochelys coriacea Leatherback Sea Turtle
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Chrysemys picta bellii I Western Painted Turtle
Actinemys marmorata Pacific Pond Turtle
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Trachemys scripta elegans I Red-eared Slider
Kinosternon sonoriense sonoriense F Sonoran Mud Turtle
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Gopherus agassizii Desert Tortoise (Agassiz's Desert Tortoise)
Apalone spinifera emoryi I Texas Spiny Softshell

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Lizards

Elgaria coerulea coerulea San Francisco Alligator Lizard
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Elgaria coerulea palmeri Sierra Alligator Lizard

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Elgaria coerulea principis Northwestern Alligator Lizard
Elgaria coerulea shastensis Shasta Alligator Lizard

Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata California Alligator Lizard
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Elgaria multicarinata scincicauda Oregon Alligator Lizard
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Elgaria multicarinata webbii San Diego Alligator Lizard
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Elgaria panamintina Panamint Alligator Lizard
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Anniella alexanderae Temblor Legless Lizard
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Anniella campi Southern Sierra Legless Lizard
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Anniella grinnellii Bakersfield Legless Lizard
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Anniella pulchra Northern California Legless Lizard

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Anniella stebbinsi Southern California Legless Lizard
Crotaphytus bicinctores Great Basin Collared Lizard
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Crotaphytus vestigium Baja California Collared Lizard
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Gambelia copeii Cope's Leopard Lizard
Gambelia sila Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard
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Gambelia wislizenii Long-nosed Leopard Lizard
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Coleonyx switaki switaki Peninsular Banded Gecko
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Coleonyx variegatus abbotti San Diego Banded Gecko
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Coleonyx variegatus variegatus Desert Banded Gecko
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Phyllodactylus nocticolus Peninsular Leaf-toed Gecko
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Hemidactylus turcicus I Mediterranean House Gecko
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Tarentola mauritanica I Moorish Gecko

Heloderma suspectum cinctum Banded Gila Monster
Dipsosaurus dorsalis dorsalis Northern Desert Iguana
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Sauromalus ater Common Chuckwalla
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Callisaurus draconoides rhodostictus Western Zebra-tailed Lizard
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Petrosaurus mearnsi mearnsi Mearns' Rock Lizard
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Phrynosoma (Anota) blainvillii Blainville's Horned Lizard

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Phrynosoma (Tapaja) douglasii Pygmy Short-horned Lizard
Phrynosoma (Anota) mcallii Flat-tail Horned Lizard
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Phrynosoma (Doliosaurus) platyrhinos calidiarum Southern Desert Horned Lizard
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Phrynosoma (Doliosaurus) platyrhinos platyrhinos Northern Desert Horned Lizard
Sceloporus graciosus gracilis Western Sagebrush Lizard
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Sceloporus graciosus graciosus Northern Sagebrush Lizard
Sceloporus graciosus vandenburgianus Southern Sagebrush Lizard
Sceloporus magister Desert Spiny Lizard
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Sceloporus occidentalis becki Island Fence Lizard
Sceloporus occidentalis biseriatus San Joaquin Fence Lizard
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Sceloporus occidentalis bocourtii Coast Range Fence Lizard
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Sceloporus occidentalis longipes Great Basin Fence Lizard
Sceloporus occidentalis occidentalis Northwestern Fence Lizard
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Sceloporus occidentalis taylori Sierra Fence Lizard
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Sceloporus orcutti Granite Spiny Lizard
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Sceloporus uniformis Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard
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Uma inornata Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard
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Uma notata Colorado Desert Fringe-toed Lizard
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Uma scoparia Mohave Fringe-toed Lizard
Urosaurus graciosus Long-tailed Brush Lizard
Urosaurus nigricaudus Baja California Brush Lizard
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Urosaurus ornatus symmetricus Colorado River Tree Lizard
Uta stansburiana elegans Western Side-blotched Lizard
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Uta stansburiana nevadensis Nevada Side-blotched Lizard

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Plestiodon gilberti cancellosus Variegated Skink
Plestiodon gilberti gilberti Greater Brown Skink
Plestiodon gilberti placerensis Northern Brown Skink
Plestiodon gilberti rubricaudatus Western Red-tailed Skink
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Plestiodon skiltonianus interparietalis Coronado Skink
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Plestiodon skiltonianus skiltonianus Skilton's Skink
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Aspidoscelis hyperythra beldingi Belding's Orange-throated Whiptail
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Aspidoscelis tigris munda California Whiptail
Aspidoscelis tigris stejnegeri Coastal Whiptail
Aspidoscelis tigris tigris Great Basin Whiptail

Xantusia gracilis Sandstone Night Lizard
Xantusia henshawi Granite Night Lizard
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Xantusia riversiana reticulata San Clemente Night Lizard
Xantusia riversiana riversiana San Nicolas Night Lizard

Xantusia sierrae Sierra Night Lizard
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Xantusia vigilis Desert Night Lizard
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Xantusia wigginsi Baja California Night Lizard
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Chamaeleo jacksonii xantholophus I Yellow-crested Jackson's Chameleon
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Podarcis siculus siculus I Southern Italian Wall Lizard


Snakes

Charina bottae Northern Rubber Boa
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Charina umbratica Southern Rubber Boa
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Lichanura trivirgata gracia - Desert Rosy Boa
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Lichanura trivirgata roseofusca - Coastal Rosy Boa
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Arizona elegans candida Mohave Glossy Snake
Arizona elegans eburnata Desert Glossy Snake
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Arizona elegans occidentalis California Glossy Snake
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Bogertophis rosaliae Baja California Ratsnake
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Chionactis occipitalis annulata Colorado Desert Shovel-nosed Snake
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Chionactis occipitalis occipitalis Mohave Shovel-nosed Snake

Chionactis occipitalis talpina Nevada Shovel-nosed Snake
Coluber constrictor mormon Western Yellow-bellied Racer
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Coluber flagellum piceus Red Racer (Red Coachwhip)
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Coluber flagellum ruddocki San Joaquin Coachwhip
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Coluber fuliginosus Baja California Coachwhip
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Coluber lateralis euryxanthus Alameda Striped Racer
Coluber lateralis lateralis California Striped Racer
Coluber taeniatus taeniatus Desert Striped Whipsnake
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Contia longicaudae Forest Sharp-tailed Snake
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Contia tenuis Sharp-tailed Snake
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Diadophis punctatus amabilis Pacific Ring-necked Snake
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Diadophis punctatus modestus San Bernardino Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus occidentalis Northwestern Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus pulchellus Coral-bellied Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus regalis Regal Ring-necked Snake
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Diadophis punctatus similis San Diego Ring-necked Snake
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Diadophis punctatus vandenburgii Monterey Ring-necked Snake
Hypsiglena chlorophaea deserticola Northern Desert Nightsnake
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Hypsiglena ochrorhyncha klauberi San Diego Nightsnake
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Hypsiglena ochrorhyncha nuchalata California Nightsnake
Lampropeltis getula californiae California Kingsnake
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Lampropeltis zonata multicincta Sierra Mountain Kingsnake
Lampropeltis zonata multifasciata Coast Mountain Kingsnake
Lampropeltis zonata parvirubra San Bernardino Mountain Kingsnake

Lampropeltis zonata pulchra San Diego Mountain Kingsnake
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Lampropeltis zonata zonata St. Helena Mountain Kingsnake
Nerodia fasciata I Southern Watersnake
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Nerodia sipedon I Northern Watersnake
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Phyllorhynchus decurtatus Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake
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Pituophis catenifer affinis Sonoran Gopher Snake
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Pituophis catenifer annectens San Diego Gopher Snake
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Pituophis catenifer catenifer Pacific Gopher Snake
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Pituophis catenifer deserticola Great Basin Gopher Snake
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Pituophis catenifer pumilis Santa Cruz Island Gopher Snake
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Rhinocheilus lecontei Long-nosed Snake
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Salvadora hexalepis hexalepis Desert Patch-nosed Snake
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Salvadora hexalepis mojavensis Mohave Patch-nosed Snake
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Salvadora hexalepis virgultea Coast Patch-nosed Snake
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Sonora semiannulata semiannulata Variable Groundsnake
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Tantilla hobartsmithi Smith's Black-headed Snake
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Tantilla planiceps Western Black-headed Snake
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Thamnophis "aquaticus"
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Thamnophis atratus atratus Santa Cruz Gartersnake
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Thamnophis atratus hydrophilus Oregon Gartersnake
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Thamnophis atratus zaxanthus Diablo Range Gartersnake
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Thamnophis couchii Sierra Gartersnake
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Thamnophis elegans elegans Mountain Gartersnake
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Thamnophis elegans terrestris Coast Gartersnake
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Thamnophis elegans vagrans Wandering Gartersnake
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Thamnophis gigas Giant Gartersnake
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Thamnophis hammondii Two-striped Gartersnake
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Thamnophis marcianus marcianus Marcy's Checkered Gartersnake
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Thamnophis ordinoides Northwestern Gartersnake
Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi Valley Gartersnake
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Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis California Red-sided Gartersnake
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Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia San Francisco Gartersnake
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Trimorphodon lambda Sonoran Lyresnake
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Trimorphodon lyrophanes California Lyresnake
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Pelamis platurus Yellow-bellied Sea Snake
Rena humilis cahuilae Desert Threadsnake
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Rena humilis humilis Southwestern Threadsnake
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Ramphotyphlops braminus Brahminy Blindsnake
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Crotalus atrox Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
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Crotalus cerastes cerastes Mohave Desert Sidewinder
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Crotalus cerastes laterorepens Colorado Desert Sidewinder
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Crotalus mitchellii pyrrhus Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake
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Crotalus oreganus helleri Southern Pacific Rattlesnake
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Crotalus oreganus lutosus Great Basin Rattlesnake
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Crotalus oreganus oreganus Northern Pacific Rattlesnake
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Crotalus ruber Red Diamond Rattlesnake
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Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus Northern Mohave Rattlesnake
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Crotalus stephensi Panamint Rattlesnake
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JAMAUGHN
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Re: 12 Months In California- Part 1 (Updated: ALL AMPHIBIANS

Post by JAMAUGHN »

Man, did you pick the state up and shake it? :shock: Amazing stuff-- I'd be overwhelmed just to see just a fraction of this in a year, and I've been here for nearly fifteen, and still seen only a fraction of this. Epic post. Thanks for sharing it!

JimM
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Mulebrother
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by Mulebrother »

Good stuff mike...felt like I was looking at a field guide. Awesome!
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Jon Wedow
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by Jon Wedow »

I think the term "field guide" came to my mind also! Great work!

Some of those garter snakes are stunning. It's hard to believe they can be so brightly coloured.
hellihooks
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by hellihooks »

WOW. After seeing all the herps that you've seen, that I haven't ( :x :lol: :lol: ) I decided to go back and see if there were actually ANY that I've seen, which you have YET to get... Garden Slender :shock: Wooo-Hoooo!!! I RULE!!! :roll: :crazyeyes: :lol: :lol:
Naw, actually were a couple others (SB Mt stuff)... that I'd be honored to assist with (early springs best) and if you want some Arroyo pics... that's pretty easy for me, as well.
Not only do you have MOST Ca herps... they're bout ALL screamers... :shock: Did you see a bunch of each, and pick the best... or are you just incredibly lucky? :shock: Then again... could be the top-notch photography that makes them all look so great.
Jeeze...I can't even think straight... I think your post gave me dain bramage... :roll: :lol: :lol: jim
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justinm
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by justinm »

Mike,

Last time I saw you, you were about to head West for good when we parted. I was jealous, then you sent me a pic of a cougar from Southern Illinois, that I missed by 20 minutes. Now I don't hear from you and you post this! I know you work hard but this is crazy, you're putting in some good field time. Was that Ginny in that pic?
joeysgreen
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by joeysgreen »

Amazing stuff Mike. I found my self nominating several pictures for photo of the week (is that legal?). I had no idea California had that many salamanders. I thought field guide too, but alas, many of your photographs were to good. Try to tone it down if that's your goal :)

Ian
Zach_Lim
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by Zach_Lim »

Words cannot express how impressive this post is.

Amazing.
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klawnskale
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by klawnskale »

Wow! what an album! I guess trapping gigas and SFGS 5 days a week wasn't sufficient enough field time for you! Sorry I only got to chat with you and Sarah once. I'm off to Southwest Nevada to do some desert tortoise construction monitoring. I personally prefer being in the desert. Still here in Yolo County...PM if you'd like...
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Owen
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by Owen »

Yawn...

Just kiddin'!

Nice bunch of critters. Sorry about that Switak's. What a bummer.
sdpete
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by sdpete »

You did very well!
Ok, I need to ask... was the B. rosaliae from CA or a "neighboring state".
Thanks
-Peter
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Mike Rochford
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by Mike Rochford »

Thanks everyone!

Jim- Thanks. I've had the added motivation of knowing I'm only here for a limited amount of time so I've been "living every day like it's my last."

Mule- Gracias!

Jon- Garters are certainly no appreciated as much as they should be. Even in other parts of the world there are some cool garters. Although, I'm not sure there are any nicer ones than the ones in the bay area of CA.

Jim- I'm missing some surprisingly easy stuff! That said, it seems like nothing in this state has been particularly difficult to find under favorable conditions. I just wish I had a little more time to see the things I've missed. I need the rainy season! I might look you up in a couple weeks when I'm on my way south and out of the state. Haven't decided which route to take yet but if I'm headed toward your area you will hear from me!

Justin- I have certainly been in the field quite a bit this year. It's been great! That was indeed Ginny... the original female FHF coat-tail rider... of which there are now several. That was back in 05 when she still herped. I think she has quit since then.

Ian- I appreciate the nominations! I don't think I've ever had a POTW! There are much better photographers on this forum though. I barely claim to be able to work a camera. The only thing I can do is wait 30 minutes until the animal stops squirming and THEN take a pic.

Zach- Thanks. I've enjoyed your posts on the CA chapter forum!

Hanna- Thanks! There's never enough field time! I left for some of my herp trips as soon as I got off work Friday and got back an hour or two before work started Monday morning. Maybe I overdid it. But I have no regrets so far. I just wish I had gotten to CA a little earlier so I could have found some of the salamanders that I missed. Didn't realize you are still around. I like the desert better too. But I can't complain about this area either. Let me know if you have time to get out. I need to find a stupid Hypsiglena one of these nights before I leave. That has been the hardest thing for me to find so far.

Owen- Thanks! That switaki was hit by the only other car on the road as I was focusing on a 3km stretch looking specifically for switaki. VERY frustrating.

Peter- The rosaliae was from a neighboring state in a neighboring country. :) I've looked a little bit in the US but not properly. I was mostly looking for other things but in the right place to see one if they are here.

Thanks again everyone! This was def the product of lots of time and gas!

Mike
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Nshepard
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by Nshepard »

Hell yeah, you killed California! And, left a few somethings to come back for.
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peterknuteberg
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by peterknuteberg »

Mike, that is on helluva a lot of hours and focus in the field adding up to a lot of wonderful life experiences and vistas of a state with perhaps one of the most varied habitats. I would love to hear about all of your adventures some day as I realize that these photos are only the tip of the iceberg. A rolling stone gathers no moss. Congratulations on the new job and good luck! I am quite sure I will catch up with you in the field soon. :beer:
SnakeDude
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by SnakeDude »

And I thought MY post was cool! :shock:

Beautiful pics! I could barely manage a san diego gopher while I was down there... :roll:

Ian
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Neil M
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by Neil M »

Wow this is so epic! Thanks for putting together such a diverse post and helping me realize how many more I still have to find!!!
michael68
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by michael68 »

Mind-blowing... Amazing stuff man, tons of variety and very cool that you saw all that in only 12 months...

I know you said some stuff was seen in neighboring states (or rather, a country?) but what about the sea turtles and that Baja ratsnake? Did you see those in Cali or in Baja? If you don't mind me asking...
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Mike Rochford
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by Mike Rochford »

Nate- Thanks. I hope to make it back out here. And I'm pretty confident that one day I will. At least for a trip or two. Or three.

Peter- I regret not taking more habitat/scenery pics. This state is certainly everything you said. So varied, scenic, and expansive. I've been fortunate to be able to make it to almost every county and often in multiple parts of the same county. Truly amazing place. I hope we can catch up in person soon!

Ian- Your post IS cool. I lived in eastern CO for exactly 2 months so it brought back some memories for me. Those milks are nice!

Neil- Definitely my pleasure! Herping out here is extremely enjoyable.

Michael- Yeah. I guess I didn't think that statement through well enough. A bunch was seen in neighboring states but the sea turtle pics are from Mexico and Florida. And the Bogertophis is one of several seen in Baja. The rest were DOR and looked nicer. Go figure the only live one was "in the blue."
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kcmatt
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by kcmatt »

...and I thought you were still in AZ. Quite an addition from what you had in the first part of the 12 mos. I am happy to have been there for a few of those. Looks like you need to go bust a B. rosaliae in CA now.
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Tim Borski
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by Tim Borski »

Geez Mike, what an amazing variety of critters! Do you sleep at all out there?

(Infernalis and Tetrataenia must be obscenely beautiful to see on the crawl...I can't even imagine.)

:beer:

Tim
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JakeScott
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by JakeScott »

Too nice, Mike! Great year. I have an affinity toward garters and love the variety expressed out there.

-Jake
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Josh Holbrook
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by Josh Holbrook »

Great stuff mike. How big do those Giant salamanders range when you find them? Any scale shots?
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by Lloyd Heilbrunn »

Josh Holbrook wrote:Great stuff mike. How big do those Giant salamanders range when you find them? Any scale shots?
Come on, Josh, even I know salamanders don't have scales...







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Ross Padilla
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Re: 12 Months In California: UPDATED (All herps)

Post by Ross Padilla »

Amazing post, Mike. :thumb:
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