Field Guide to Monterey, California’s Reptiles · Amphibians A NOTE FOR EXPLORERS This guide is meant to inspire exploration and learning. Always verify species identification using multiple sources before drawing any conclusions. Stay safe: Observe wildlife from a respectful distance and follow local regulations. Do not disturb or handle wild reptiles or amphibians. Species data and images sourced from iNaturalist.org. Consider contributing your own observations and/or supporting their work. Monterey, California Herps Field Guide 1 HERPS Western Fence Lizard Sceloporus occidentalis Common in California, this lizard features a distinctive blue belly and thrives in diverse habitats, often basking in sunny spots. Gopher Snake Pituophis catenifer This nonvenomous snake, often mistaken for rattlesnakes, features a slender head and distinctive dorsal markings. It mimics rattlesnake behavior for defense. Santa Lucia Mountains Slender Salamander Batrachoseps luciae Endemic to Monterey County, this slender salamander inhabits moist montane chaparral, woodlands, and coniferous forests. Pacific Chorus Frog Pseudacris regilla This frog, found across the Pacific Northwest, exhibits color-changing abilities and thrives in diverse habitats, from urban to wild. Ensatina Ensatina eschscholtzii A complex of lungless salamanders found in coniferous forests and oak woodlands from British Columbia to Baja California. Southern Alligator Lizard Elgaria multicarinata Common along the Pacific coast, this lizard thrives in diverse habitats and is known for its keeled scales and defensive behavior. Monterey, California Herps Field Guide 2 California Newt Taricha torosa A striking amphibian of California, this newt features warty gray skin above and bright orange-yellow beneath. It thrives in diverse habitats near water. Western Rattlesnake Crotalus oreganus A venomous pit viper found from Baja California to British Columbia, it exhibits diverse coloration and migrates seasonally for prey. Western Toad Anaxyrus boreas A large toad native to western North America, found in diverse habitats, particularly near water, with a distinctive dorsal stripe. California King Snake Lampropeltis californiae A nonvenomous colubrid found in diverse habitats, this snake features various color morphs and is known for its strong constriction. Western Terrestrial Garter Snake Thamnophis elegans A variable North American snake, it thrives in diverse habitats, showing distinct dietary preferences between coastal and inland populations. Blainville’S Horned Lizard Phrynosoma blainvillii A flat-bodied lizard with spiky horns, it inhabits sandy areas in southern California and northern Baja California, facing habitat loss. Monterey, California Herps Field Guide 3 Western Whiptail Aspidoscelis tigris This lizard has a slender body, light stripes, and varies in color. Found in dry habitats, it exhibits unique tail-dropping defense behavior. California Tiger Salamander Ambystoma californiense A vulnerable amphibian from California, this large, secretive species relies on vernal pools for breeding and faces habitat loss threats. Common Side-Blotched Lizard Uta stansburiana This lizard exhibits unique male color polymorphism, with three morphs competing in a rock-paper-scissors mating strategy. Northern Legless Lizard Anniella pulchra A limbless burrowing lizard, it features a silver-bronze back and yellow underside. Found in sandy soils along the Pacific coast. Ring-Necked Snake Diadophis punctatus A small, nocturnal colubrid snake with a distinct neck band and bright ventral coloration, found across the U.S. and parts of Mexico. Northern Alligator Lizard Elgaria coerulea This medium-sized lizard, found along the Pacific Coast, has distinct skin folds, varying colors, and a diverse diet. It brumates in winter. Monterey, California Herps Field Guide 4 Gabilan Mountains Slender Salamander Batrachoseps gavilanensis Endemic to California, this slender salamander inhabits forests and woodlands, featuring four toes and a distinctive gray coloration. Western Skink Plestiodon skiltonianus A small, agile lizard found in various habitats, it has a distinctive coloration and prefers sunny, open areas. Active during warm seasons. Common Sharp-Tailed Snake Contia tenuis A small, nonvenomous snake found in the Western U.S. and British Columbia, it has a distinctive sharp tail spine and a shy demeanor. Arboreal Salamander Aneides lugubris This climbing salamander, native to California and Baja California, thrives in oak woodlands, showcasing unique aerial adaptations. Striped Racer Masticophis lateralis A slender, fast-moving snake with yellow side stripes, found in varied habitats from California to Baja. Prefers lizards as prey. California Red-Legged Frog Rana draytonii This threatened frog species, native to California and northern Baja California, is vital for local ecosystems, facing habitat loss and predation. Monterey, California Herps Field Guide 5 PHOTO ATTRIBUTIONS • Ambystoma californiense - (c) Tony Iwane, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Anaxyrus boreas - (c) dlbowls, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Aneides lugubris - (c) nothingmajor, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Anniella pulchra - (c) Kuoni W, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Kuoni W • Aspidoscelis tigris - (c) Jack Wickel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jack Wickel • Batrachoseps gavilanensis - (c) Robert Dobbs, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Batrachoseps luciae - (c) Robert Dobbs, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Contia tenuis - (c) Tony Iwane, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Tony Iwane • Crotalus oreganus - (c) Yinan Li, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Yinan Li • Diadophis punctatus - (c) wasatch_hunter, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Elgaria coerulea - (c) Zach Lim, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Zach Lim • Elgaria multicarinata - (c) Alex Abair, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alex Abair • Ensatina eschscholtzii - (c) andrewnydam, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Lampropeltis californiae - (c) Faris K, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Masticophis lateralis - (c) jqrichmond, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by jqrichmond • Phrynosoma blainvillii - (c) eastbaybirding, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Pituophis catenifer - (c) Yinan Li, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Yinan Li • Plestiodon skiltonianus - (c) Bridget Spencer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) • Pseudacris regilla - (c) Thomas Barbin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Thomas Barbin • Rana draytonii - (c) J. Maughn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by J. Maughn • Sceloporus occidentalis - (c) Steven Kurni- awidjaja, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Steven Kurniawidjaja • Taricha torosa - (c) jschweg, some rights re- served (CC BY-NC) • Thamnophis elegans - no rights reserved • Uta stansburiana - (c) David Kaposi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by David Kaposi