This is a small section of the original photograph.

As you can see - the top part of that band is over exposed - and thus there is no detail in the highlights - so you see neither scales nor "dirtiness" of the band.
But lower on the band, you can make out both scales and "dirtyness" of the band.
Thus, I don't think it is desert banded.
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3.0 WC; 0.3 CB L. getula californiae
1.0 CB L. getula nigrita
0.1.1 WC; 0.0.3 CH Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata


