Recently returned from a trip to Yosemite National Park, and later drove over the Sierra crest to Lee Vining, and back to Los Angeles. At times, it was freezing so there weren’t many herps creeping about. Of particular interest were Western Fence Lizards (S. occidentalis) and their various belly patterns.


I was surprised to see this snake on the restricted road/trail leading to Mirror Lake/Meadow. When I found it, the snake was motionless, conducting warmth from the pavement while dozens of people passed by unwittingly. Sierra Garter Snake (T. couchii)


I was happy to find six Bufo canorus (Yosemite Toad) in a spring in Yosemite National Park. I was under the impression they have not been seen in the park for years. The toads were found at the below spring, where the water filters up through the earth to conceivably supply healthy, pollution free water.



Dana Meadow, Yosemite Nat’l Park

Now for some common and often boring S. occidentalis pictures.

S. o. taylori (Sierra Fence Lizard)

This was an amazing S. o. taylori (Sierra Fence lizard) with an entirely blue belly, throat, neck, limbs, and even tail are colored. What also is amazing is the animal was found at 5500 ft. well below their typical elevation above 7,000 ft.


Female from the area resemble male fence lizards from other regions of California, but even her color is more vivid and distinct. This one came from 5300 ft.


Male S. o. taylori (Sierra Fence lizard) from near Tuolumne Meadows at 8200 ft.


Female from 8200 ft.


Male S. o. biseriatus (San Joaquin Fence Lizard) from Mirror Lake/Meadow, elevation (4094 ft.)


Finally, this massive male S. o. longipes (Great Basin Fence Lizard) from the Owens Valley (elevation 3900 ft.)

Other herps seen:
Sierra Treefrog (P. r. sierra) at 8800 ft.
American Bullfrog at 4000 ft.
Mohave Rattler (angry and alive on the shoulder of U.S. Hwy. 395, seen while driving home at 7:20 p.m and 80 degrees temprature)
Side-blotched Lizard (at 3900 ft.)
Barred Spiny Lizard (at 3900 ft.)
Western Sagebrush Lizard (at 5900 ft.)





Field Observations of CA Amphibians and Reptiles

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