The following photo essay covers some of the reptiles and amphibians I encountered while herping Las Vegas from May 31 - June 8, 2008.
The temperatures were breezy and in the mid-90s.The trip encompassed Utah, California, and of course Neveda. Thirteen types of lizards were found (Chuckwallas, a Desert Iguana, Side-blotched Lizards, Western Whiptails,
Banded Geckos, Night Lizards, a Leopard Lizard, Collared Lizards, Striped Whiptails, Yellow-backed Spiny Lizards, Desert Spiny lizards, Plateau Lizards, and Zebratails), Five species of snakes were found (Great Basin Gopher,
Glossy Snake, Night Snake, a Sidewinder and several Western Blind Snakes), three types of amphibians were discovered (Canyon Treefrogs, Red-spotted Toads and Pacific Chorus Frogs), and a single Desert Tortoise was seen as well.
Boulder City
The first lizard caught on the trip was this Desert Iguana.
Side-blotched Lizards were seen in the morning, but retreated and the temperature warmed.
Zebratails were quite common, though difficult to catch.
Windscorpion:
Zion National Park (Utah)
The first herp we saw at the park was this Western Whiptail.
Sagebrush Lizards were frequently seen when hiking near Taylor Creek.
Canyon Treefrog - a lifer.
Lifer #2 - Striped Plateau Whiptail.
We hiked the Emerald Pools trails to find Lifer #3 and #4 - a Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard and Plateau Lizards.
The park was quite crowded and the trails had lots of people - dozens of them walked right by this 3-foot Great Basin Gopher.
Vegas Roadhunting
Desert Glossy Snake.
There were quite a few of these large spiders crossing the road - their eyes reflected the glow of the car's headlights.
Sidewinder:
Gecko:
Night Snake:
Calico Basin
The first herp of the day was this Desert Tortoise - I was quite pleased.
Desert Spiny Lizards hang out in the trees.
A Pacific Chorus Frog tadpole getting ready to "make the switch."
Night Lizard:
A pair of courting Whiptails.
Buffington Pockets
The best looking Red-spotted Toad that was seen on the trip.
Tadpole Shrimp - I've always wanted to find these.
A sweet-looking Collared Lizard.
China Ranch (California)
Western Blind Snake - a lifer - I found several under one rock.
A Chuckwalla we were able to catch.
California Crawdad.
Crawdads are "Good Eats."
The End
Third Eye
