2020 EOY Report - Arizona

[frodaman]

Just trying to show the old forum some love with an Arizona 2020 EOY report with a couple photo highlights. I was able to have at least a semi-decent year despite all the garbage that happened this year and the cancelled trips that we all seemed to have. Enjoy

Arizona

As it is my home state, this is obviously where I spent the most time. The spring seemed to be the best part of the year for me, as I was able to figure out some new honey holes and the activity was particularly interesting with the abnormal amount of moisture. The summer was pretty sub-par with the "Non-soon" we experienced.

Variable Sandsnake (Chilomeniscus cinctus)
Chilomeniscus stramineus-0041 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Chilimeniscus cinctus-9455 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata)
Sonora semiannulata-0112 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Sonoran Whipsnake (Masticophis bilineatus)
Masticophis bilineatus - Maricopa County, AZ-0392 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Masticophis bilineatus-1098 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Sonoran Lyresnake (Trimorphodon lambda) in crack in-situ
Trimorphodon lambda in vertical crack by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Trimorphodon lambda-1214 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Trimorphodon lambda - La Paz County, AZ-0591 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Longnosed Snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei)
Rhinocheilus lecontei - Pinal County, AZ-0603 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Rhinocheilus lecontei-9344 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater)
Sauromalus ater - Pinal County, AZ-0591 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus)

This one had just struck and missed a kangaroo rat, and was left to sort out all the debris that it grabbed instead
Crotalus scutulatus-0637 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus scutulatus - Maricopa County, AZ-0643 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus scutulatus-2105 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)
Crotalus atrox-0872 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus atrox-2225 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

C. atrox on Border-1629 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus atrox-0694 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus atrox-0973 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus atrox-3072 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus atrox-0716 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus atrox-0859 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus atrox-9571 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus atrox-2287 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus atrox-0802 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Red-Spotted Toad (Anaxyrus punctatus)
Anaxyrus punctatus - Maricopa County, AZ-0745 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Sonoran Desert Tortoise (Gopherus morafkai)
Gopherus morafkai-0781 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Gopherus morafkai-0770 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Gopherus morafkai-0897 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Gopherus morafkai (Neonate)-1379 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Gopherus morafkai-1027 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum)
Heloderma suspectum-0950 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Heloderma suspectum-0922 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Heloderma suspectum-1118 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Heloderma suspectum-1141 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Heloderma suspectum-0602 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Heloderma suspectum (juvenile)-0050 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Heloderma suspectum - Yuma County, AZ-0125 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Glossy Snake (Arizona elegans)
Arizona elegans-0090 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Yuman Fringetoed Lizard (Uma rufopunctata)
Uma rufopunctata-9919 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Tiger Rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris)
Crotalus tigris-0027 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus tigris-1729 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus tigris-2065 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus tigris-1949 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Western Banded Gecko (Coleonyx variegatus)
Coleonyx variegatus-9844 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr


Blacktailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus)
Crotalus molossus-9492 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus molossus-9559 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus molossus-0139 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus molossus-0173 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus molossus-0095 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus molossus-1582 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus molossus-1296 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus molossus-3032 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus molossus-1430 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr


Regal Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma solare)
Phrynosoma solare-9611 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Goode's Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma goodei)
Phrynosoma goodei-9728 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

New Mexico Threadsnake (Rena dissectus)
Rena dissectus-0958 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Sidewinder Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes)
Crotalus cerastes laterorepens-0571 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus cerastes-9755 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus cerastes-2248 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus cerastes laterorepens-0552 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus cerastes-9165 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus cerastes-9323 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus cerastes-0010 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus cerastes-2120 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum)
Masticophis flagellum-1399 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Masticophis flagellum-1686 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Masticophis flagellum-0257 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Southwestern Speckled Rattlenake (Crotalus pyrrhus)
Crotalus pyrrhus-2001 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus pyrrhus-2029 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus pyrrhus-1962 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus pyrrhus-0154 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus pyrrhus-2013 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus pyrrhus-9993 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus pyrrhus-1699 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus pyrrhus-1959 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus pyrrhus-0342 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus pyrrhus-1722 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus pyrrhus-9367 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus pyrrhus-9522 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Mexican Spadefoot (Spea multiplicata)
Spea multiplicata-9913 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Madrean Alligator Lizard (Elgaria kingii)
Elgaria kingii-1239 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Arizona Ridgenosed Rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi)
Crotalus willardi-0764 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus willardi-1315 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Saddled Leafnose Snake (Phyllhorynchus browni)
Phyllorhynchus browni-9318 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Bezy's Night Lizard (Xantusia bezyi)
Xantusia bezyi-3393 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Xantusia bezyi-3309 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Desert Kingsnake (Lampropeltis splendida)
Lampropeltis splendida-1826 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Lampropeltis splendida-1518 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis)
Dipsosaurus dorsalis-9262 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Banded Rock Rattlesnake (Crotalus lepidus klauberi)
Crotalus lepidus klauberi-1881 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus lepidus klauberi-1177 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus lepidus 0628 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus lepidus klauberi-1102 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr


Canyon Treefrog (Hyla arenicolor)
This one was probably my most significant observation to date - an albino Canyon Treefrog. This is the first found in Arizona and the second ever documented (first one being in Texas). Herp review in progess.
Hyla arenicolor (Albino)-0944 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Hyla arenicolor with Tadpoles-0902 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Black-Necked Gartnersnake (THamnophis cyrtopsis)
Thamnophis cyrtopsis-0741 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Desert Nightsnake (Hypsiglena chlorophaea)

This one was actually found in the kitchen, which is not an uncommon occurrence in Arizona...
Hypsiglena chlorophaea in Kitchen by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake (Lampropeltis knoblochi)

I understand there is some dispute on whether or not the pyromelana/knoblochi split is valid - don't shoot the messanger

Lampropeltis pyromelana-1099 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Lampropeltis knoblochi -0831 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Arizona Black Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerberus)
Crotalus cerberus-9478 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus cerberus-9550 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus cerberus-9538 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus cerberus-9612 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Crotalus cerberus-9581 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Green Ratsnake (Senticolis triaspis)
Senticolis triaspis-2951 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Desert Box Turtle (Terreapene ornata)
Terrapene ornata-0890 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Terrapene ornata-0774 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Arizona Tree Frog (Hyla wrightorum)
Hyla wrightorum-1013 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Mexican Hognosed Snake (Heterodon kennerlyi)
Heterodon kennerlyi-0816 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)
Hemidactylus turcicus-5341 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Shovelnosed Snake (Chionactis occipitalis)
Chionactis occipitalis-9716 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Western Patchnosed Snake (Salvadora hexalepis)
Salvadora hexalepis - Yuma County, AZ-0395 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Salvadora hexalepis-0276 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr


Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma mavortium)
Ambystoma mavortium-9859 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard (Gambelia wislizenii)
Gambelia wislizenii-9235 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Sonoran Gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer)
Pituophis catenifer-1614 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Checkered Gartersnake (Thamnophis marcianus)
Thamnophis marcianus-0409 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Thamnophis marcianus-0381 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Slevin's Bunchgrass Lizard (Sceloporous slevenii)
Sceloporus slevini-1065 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Long-Tailed Brush Lizard (Urosaurus graciosus)
Urosaurus graciosus-9827 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Large-blotched Ensatina (Ensatina eschscholtzi klauberi)
These are introduced and invasive to a small area in Arizona.
Ensatina eschscholtzi klauberi -9675 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

Ensatina eschscholtzi klauberi -9774 by Jeff Martineau, on Flickr

[BillMcGighan]

All super...
Especially the "in situ" shots.
The C. molossus in the tree was special.

[VICtort]

Congratulations, you really made the best of a tough situation. I kept waiting for "good weather/monsoons" which sort of fizzled. I though that notation about the Ensatina's fascinating, I had not heard about that.

Thank you for sharing, I am most impressed at the wide variety you found and photographed, and you apparently traveled widely over the State.

[Porter]

Congrats on that albino find I’m always on the lookout for one of those to pop-up in Pseudacris. Highlights for me were that dark rhino, double buzz neck stripe-age, and those monstrous in-insitus. Nice post

[Jimi]

Nice bunch of pics, Jeff. Thank you!

With the wet winter you guys had, I had been wondering what spring was like down there. And due to Covid crap, I just stayed pretty close to home this spring - and due to our terrible drought, it sucked royally up here, for me. So congrats on all the fun times those pics represent!

Most non-resident, monsoon-season reports I heard out of AZ in 2020 were pretty mediocre, at best. Some were downright bleak. I spent a week and a half or so down there in Sept (I just waited for it to cool down some) and had some fun, but - like most trips these last few years - had to work for it.

I was also fond of the scansorial molossus shot.

These are introduced and invasive to a small area in Arizona.Image

Introduced - most definitely. Successfully established, not likely to easily get blinked out? Sure seems like it. Invasive though? Is that really what is thought to be going on? I thought they were holding pretty tight to the state facility. But I freely admit to being distant and uninformed. More of a concern with the language, and to hear if there's been an assessment and determination of next steps (e.g., eradication, suppression, whatever). Not that you'd be sure to know that...but you might.

thanks again

[Brian Hubbs]

Very Nice! You did a little bit of herping this year...
After living in AZ for 21 years I still haven't seen a Sand Snake...LOL I guess I need to go look for one.

[zeevng]

That's a great round up for such a slow year!
I'm going to have to shake myself out of hibernation and post an EOY report now!

Hoping to finally make it to Arizona this Spring, have a few weeks set aside for a honeymoon/herping roadtrip in May, this post is super encouraging.
Super nice find on that albino, very cool indeed.

Happy Herping!

[frodaman]

Introduced - most definitely. Successfully established, not likely to easily get blinked out? Sure seems like it. Invasive though? Is that really what is thought to be going on? I thought they were holding pretty tight to the state facility. But I freely admit to being distant and uninformed. More of a concern with the language, and to hear if there's been an assessment and determination of next steps (e.g., eradication, suppression, whatever). Not that you'd be sure to know that...but you might.

Yes, you are correct in bringing up and clarifying my language here and I thank you for that. I was able to participate in a small-scale AZGFD survey up there a couple years ago to push their known boundaries, and usually make a trip out there at least once a season. The further you get from the "site" they do seem to thin out, however due to their numbers within that area there can be no doubt that they have to be expanding to a degree. The issue is lack of data - many herpers don't seem to care about moving outward. They show up, have the experience with their Arizona lifelist expansion pack where it's easy, and move on (I admit I am at times guilty of this). As far as management goes, I do not know for sure what the current plan is as it's been a bit since I've heard any update, but I think they were leaning towards an "unlimited dead" bag limit. I'm sure Tom has more info on it than me. To your point - they don't seem to be competing with other species at the moment and I think if you were to label any ecological issue associated with them it would be habitat destruction from our own species.

[frodaman]

Very Nice! You did a little bit of herping this year...
After living in AZ for 21 years I still haven't seen a Sand Snake...LOL I guess I need to go look for one.

Do it! I would have more sympathy for you but I have yet to find an Arizona triangulum...

[fringe]

Geez son. A monsoon year must be a banger for you.
I'm coming out there in 2021, Lord willin' and the creek does rise.
I need to find one of those shovel-nosed snakes.
Maybe we can hang out and Catch It.

[fringe]

Very Nice! You did a little bit of herping this year...
After living in AZ for 21 years I still haven't seen a Sand Snake...LOL I guess I need to go look for one.

Do it! I would have more sympathy for you but I have yet to find an Arizona triangulum...

Help you I can.

[Jeff]

Wow! Nice photography of the usual plus rare critters of southern Arizona.
Having lived there and seen these I can appreciate the great photography, and the work that is necessary to find some of these reclusive animals. The gila monsters bursting forth is wonderful, along with so many others. My last days there in the 1980s were pre-border wall, so the Crotalus being turned away was sad. In 1985 I worked in the San Rafael Valley, and the "wall" was a fire-break along a non-imposing barbed-wire fence.
My favorite is the Long-tailed Brush Lizard, toward the end of the post. I have seen numerous California Desert individuals, which are sleek and pale flannel gray. I gather that one is the shannoni subspecies, and rightfully distinct from the Californios. That one is boldly marked and somewhat barbaric in contrast.
Yours is the sort of post that makes me think twice about living in the swamp.
Jeffr

[frodaman]

Maybe we can hang out and Catch It.

Someone knows me better than I would have expected from this forum!

[frodaman]

Wow! Nice photography of the usual plus rare critters of southern Arizona.
Having lived there and seen these I can appreciate the great photography, and the work that is necessary to find some of these reclusive animals. The gila monsters bursting forth is wonderful, along with so many others. My last days there in the 1980s were pre-border wall, so the Crotalus being turned away was sad. In 1985 I worked in the San Rafael Valley, and the "wall" was a fire-break along a non-imposing barbed-wire fence.
My favorite is the Long-tailed Brush Lizard, toward the end of the post. I have seen numerous California Desert individuals, which are sleek and pale flannel gray. I gather that one is the shannoni subspecies, and rightfully distinct from the Californios. That one is boldly marked and somewhat barbaric in contrast.
Yours is the sort of post that makes me think twice about living in the swamp.
Jeffr

Thanks for the kind words!

[Brian Hubbs]

[/quote]Help you I can.
[/quote]

I know how to do it, I just never make time for them...