Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Residents along the Gulf states plus New Mexico, Arizona, and S. Calif. have an advantage of being able to herp during the winter when suitable weather conditions occur. But not often known by some herpers here on the west coast, there are such opportunities available from SW British Columbia all the way down the coast to southern Calif.

A warm southern Pacific storm came through the west coast beginning early this week. Here in NW Oregon (Corvallis), we have had tempeatures in the low to upper 60's from Wed. through yesterday. Although it was totally overcast with some rain on Wed. and Thurs., finally the sun came out yesterday. On Wed, I found two species of salamanders (Rough-skinned Newt and Ensatana) and found a juvenile Sharp-tailed Snake. Went out again yesterday and observed both species of salamanders plus an adult S. Alligator Lizard and adult male Rubber Boa.

I would surmise that a larger array of species could have been observed in parts of Calif. such as the Bay Area and south along the coastal regions in particular.

Richard F. Hoyer

Hello Richard. Here's just a quick rundown of what I have seen Dec-Jan around the San Diego area. 11 seperate individual lampropeltis getulus and a few repeat individuals (all juveniles), 7 Crotalus helleri (3 adult, 4 neo's), 2 Hypsiglena torquata (both juveniles), 4 Pituophis melanoleucus (3 juveniles, one adult), 6 Sauromalus obesus (5 adults), TMTC Petrosaurus mearnsi, 11 xantusia henshawi, TMTC Uta stansburiana, TMTC scelloporus occidentalis, 7 adult sceloporus orcutti, one bufo boreas (adult), 6 Hyla regilla, and TMTC Batrochoseps pacificus. Hope I didn't leave anything out.
Nathan H.

How could I forget Gerrhonotus multicarinatus, they are abound under almost evey board and tin. I counted 28 one day in December. Aslo I've seen a few Eumeces skiltonianus sporatically last month and this month, but I didn't log them.

Nathan,
I am not certain that many individuals realize that the San Diego area has the best all around weather in the entire U.S. Fundad filled me 3 years ago about the number of species and specimens that could be observed in that region during the winter months.

I know that around 20 - 25 years ago, professional herpetologists were not truly aware that many species of reptiles could be found during the winter months on the west coast when suitable weather conditions occur. Those conditions are usually temps in the mid 50's and above with a few days of sunshine. That may have all changed since the advent of these herp observation forums where such infomation is becoming common knowledge.

Nice report. Richard F. Hoyer

Hi Richard, interesting to me, how transient the brumation state is for certain taxons, here in the desert, I occasionally observe sunny day - winter basking at den entrances, but rarely any lateral movements, by much other than Utas. Now thru March; A/C flipping, can be productive for some of the smaller colubrids... in the early AM even the Utas are torpid & make feeders as needed.

Glad to hear youre getting out....Cheers, jg

John,
Being retired since Nov. 1991, I rarely miss a chance to go afield when suitable weather conditions occur during the winter months. Locally I have found Sharp-tailed Snakes this past Dec. and now this month. The boa is a no miss during Feb. but it is only once every 2 - 4 years that reasonable conditions occur during the month of Jan.

Locally, there is a decided difference between the species with the Sharp-tail, boa, and both species of Alligator Lizards usually being observed before even our two local species of garter snakes. The Racer and Gopher Snake are usually found later in the year but even those species can be sometimes found in late Feb. or early March given warm enough conditions.

I am out every day anyway flying a Harris Hawk and giving those local bunnies the excercize they need.

R. F. Hoyer

Hi Richard, interesting to me, how transient the brumation state is for certain taxons, here in the desert, I occasionally observe sunny day - winter basking at den entrances, but rarely any lateral movements, by much other than Utas. Now thru March; A/C flipping, can be productive for some of the smaller colubrids... in the early AM even the Utas are torpid & make feeders as needed.

Glad to hear youre getting out....Cheers, jg

In Napa County, CA, last weekend I saw several sharp-tailed snakes, a ringneck, lots of slender salamanders, and an arboreal salamander. The newts and pacific treefrogs were also out in force making sweet love in the ponds.
my herp photos

Mistertoad,
On 12/24/04, I observed 8 Sharptails in a vacant lot at Wheatland, Calif. then on Christmas day in Napa County, found slender and black salamanders and 3 torpid fence lizards and one SAL across from where my sister lives in St. Helena.

I have completed my study of the Sharptail in Oregon and Calif. but would still be interested in knowing where you find Contia in Napa County. I don't believe there are all that many voucher specimens from that county either in the Cal. Acad. of Science or MVZ (UC Berkeley) collections.

Richard F. Hoyer

In Napa County, CA, last weekend I saw several sharp-tailed snakes, a ringneck, lots of slender salamanders, and an arboreal salamander. The newts and pacific treefrogs were also out in force making sweet love in the ponds.
my herp photos

Hi Richard,

I'd be interested in hearing what you did with your work on sharp tails. The ones that I commonly see are near the south-eastern edge of the Berryessa Reservoir. Send me an email if you'd like more info:

mfbenard 'at' ucdavis.edu

All the best,

Mike