California in January

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Mark Hows
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Joined: September 14th, 2012, 12:40 pm

California in January

Post by Mark Hows »

Being from the UK, I need some advice about herping in Northern California, may get down to LA area.

Will it be too cold for reptiles in this area at this time? Should I concentrate on amphibians instead?

Any advice appreciated on what to look for.

Mark
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Owen
Posts: 1924
Joined: June 11th, 2010, 12:35 am
Location: San Jose', Northern Catcrapistan

Re: California in January

Post by Owen »

You didn't say where in Northern CA, but in the Bay Area, its pretty much salamanders in January.

The only 'for sure' snakes would be Sharp-tailed unless December and January get no rain. Possibility of flipping some gartersnakes and ring-necked snakes, maybe a Rubber Boa. Skilton's Skinks, Alligator Lizards and Fence Lizards can be rock or log flipped, but mainly Salamanders.
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Sam Bacchini
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Joined: March 1st, 2011, 10:26 am
Location: NorCal

Re: California in January

Post by Sam Bacchini »

It's still pretty warm in the Sacramento area with days into the 90's or at least mid 80's. When are you planning to be in the area?

Edit: Oh yeah, look at the title... :oops:

As others have said you will mostly just see amphibians in January depending on where you are, but you can occasionally see snakes or lizards on warmer days, depending on the weather.
Zach_Lim
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Joined: June 10th, 2010, 8:37 pm

Re: California in January

Post by Zach_Lim »

I have seen the following herps during January in the Bay Area (San Mateo county):
Rubber boa (year round)
Coast Gartersnakes (year round)
Pacific Ringnecked Snakes
Gophersnakes (usually neonates)
Northern Alligator Lizard
Southern Alligators
Fence lizards
a bunch of different amphibians

With some work, I have found Northern Pacific Rattlers sunning...but very rarely.

Like the others mentioned, where in the Bay are you going to be?
Mark Hows
Posts: 17
Joined: September 14th, 2012, 12:40 pm

Re: California in January

Post by Mark Hows »

Thanks, it looks like reptiles will be thin on the ground.

I will be based in The San Francisco area heading down the coast to visit the Channel islands, then across to the eastern side of California up to the Redding area and back to SF.

I have not been herping in CA before so looking forward to it.

Any info on what to try for appreciated

Mark
captain uta
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Joined: July 9th, 2011, 2:54 pm

Re: California in January

Post by captain uta »

If you make your way into riverside you can flip a rosy boa or two.
Mark Hows
Posts: 17
Joined: September 14th, 2012, 12:40 pm

Re: California in January

Post by Mark Hows »

captain uta wrote:If you make your way into riverside you can flip a rosy boa or two.
Yep that can easily be on the route

Mark
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FunkyRes
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Joined: June 7th, 2010, 6:19 am
Location: Redding, CA
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Re: California in January

Post by FunkyRes »

Mark Hows wrote:Thanks, it looks like reptiles will be thin on the ground.

I will be based in The San Francisco area heading down the coast to visit the Channel islands, then across to the eastern side of California up to the Redding area and back to SF.

I have not been herping in CA before so looking forward to it.

Any info on what to try for appreciated

Mark
If stopping by Redding, hit me up.
Not a lot out here reptile-wise but in January you can find Black Salamanders, Shasta Salamanders, sometimes Foothill Yellow-legged Frogs
Mark Hows
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Joined: September 14th, 2012, 12:40 pm

Re: California in January

Post by Mark Hows »

FunkyRes wrote:
Mark Hows wrote:Thanks, it looks like reptiles will be thin on the ground.

I will be based in The San Francisco area heading down the coast to visit the Channel islands, then across to the eastern side of California up to the Redding area and back to SF.

I have not been herping in CA before so looking forward to it.

Any info on what to try for appreciated

Mark
If stopping by Redding, hit me up.
Not a lot out here reptile-wise but in January you can find Black Salamanders, Shasta Salamanders, sometimes Foothill Yellow-legged Frogs

Many Thanks

I will contact you nearer the time

Mark
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Fieldnotes
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Location: Anaheim, California
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Re: California in January

Post by Fieldnotes »

Good time for salamanders along the "Redwood Coast" north San Francisco and you can find Northern Alligators, Boas, fence Lizards, ring-necks, Terrestrial Garter, and perhaps a few other reptiles by flipping cover such as boards and tin at abandoned farms and junk piles.
Mark Hows
Posts: 17
Joined: September 14th, 2012, 12:40 pm

Re: California in January

Post by Mark Hows »

Fieldnotes wrote:Good time for salamanders along the "Redwood Coast" north San Francisco and you can find Northern Alligators, Boas, fence Lizards, ring-necks, Terrestrial Garter, and perhaps a few other reptiles by flipping cover such as boards and tin at abandoned farms and junk piles.

Many Thanks

I hope to find some interesting stuff

Mark
Mark Hows
Posts: 17
Joined: September 14th, 2012, 12:40 pm

Re: California in January

Post by Mark Hows »

Thanks for all the advice, the weather did not do me any favours and I only managed to find one salamander, and a few lizards did much better with birds and mammals.

Any help confirming the ID's appreciated

http://www.flickr.com/photos/markhows/8 ... 2641371493

http://www.flickr.com/photos/markhows/8 ... 641371493/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/markhows/8428489026/

A full trip report here but it is mostly birds and mammals

http://www.hows.org.uk/inter/birds/2013trip/usa/cal.htm

Thanks

Mark
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Owen
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Joined: June 11th, 2010, 12:35 am
Location: San Jose', Northern Catcrapistan

Re: California in January

Post by Owen »

Arboreal Salamander (Aneides lugubris) most likely for the Salamander and Coast Range Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis bocourtii) for both lizards.
Mark Hows
Posts: 17
Joined: September 14th, 2012, 12:40 pm

Re: California in January

Post by Mark Hows »

Owen wrote:Arboreal Salamander (Aneides lugubris) most likely for the Salamander and Coast Range Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis bocourtii) for both lizards.
Many Thanks

Mark
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