Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is there any definitive range and distribution map for L. zonata multifasciata? (I don’t evenknow if that ssp designation is used anymore so that should tell you about my level of expertise.) The reason I ask is because yesterday afternoon I found not just one but two DOR near a local reservor where I’d never have expected to find the sp. (Note to Tspuckler: they were on Hicks Rd, where you found the calking.)

Seeing as how they’re active I’ll cruise for a live one this weekend. In any event, I was just curious. So far I’ve found them in several areas where they’re not previously known, which phenomenon has only been of recent (last two years) ocurrence. Is this possibly attributable to global warming?

Thx for replies.

Where was the location?
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Randy Hallman
Firehouse Herps

You'd have to be familiar with the roads hereabouts to understand detailed directions. But it's calking turf and so I wonder how they manage to coexist. Then again garters, gophers and the like all seem to thrive where calkings are snacking on them so zonata being there is no real trick.

What puzzles me is the idea that scarcity is assumed to equate with rarity because I have found them in several places where they are belived not to habitate, at least according to F&G. What I have discovered is that it's all about knowng WHEN to look.

SA

Dang! That's quite a find Steve. I've wondered if they might live near the road off Hicks where you turn right (when heading towards the reservoir). It's the road seems to climb in elevation and it's not too well-paved. I'm pretty sure it's the same road where a park is located. I don't know about range maps, I've been looking for one myself, but the habitat there seems ideal. There's a new book out called Zonata: The California Mountain Kingsnake, but I don't know if it contains detailed range maps.

Tim

Tim,

BINGO. I saw a small AOR at around 9:30 last night, but it bolted before I could get off my bike. Night time air temps are going into the low 60's lately so maybe that explains the early find.

SA

Now THAT'S what I like to hear,
good luck finding more, Steve!

Tim