Coleonyx variegatus variegatus?
Glossy snake eating a merriams kangaroo rat
The consensus among people I've talked to so far is that this is most likely a hybrid or the offspring of a hybrid between Masticophis flagellum ruddocki and Masticophis lateralis lateralis. That being said, I'm interested to see if anyone thinks otherwise. Anyone know of other Masticophis hybrid records besides taeniatus x lateralis?
@meandthealiens and I found this snake in treeless desert habitat (more suitable for M. f. ruddocki).
Milksnake predating on a Plains Black Headed Snake. Found on the side of the road, at about 11 P.M. roughly 75 F
King snake versus rattlesnake!
snake was barely alive, stuck in a very large black widow’s web
Obs near patio, backyard, suburban, SoCal. 1120 hrs., approximately 92 degrees. Active, alert, approximately 30" in length. This species seems to have survived urbanization better than other snakes common to this community. See them 3-4X yearly in the backyard. Juveniles most commonly in early spring (mid March on).
I'm around 80% sure that this is B. minor, since it has the characteristic robust body and short, fat tail, plus the copper coloring on the base of the thighs. The legs are also obviously longer and have more clear toes than those on B. nigriventris. That being said finding 2 (maybe 4) after only around 5 minutes of work ( < 20 logs next to the road, I didn't even need to trespass!) doesn't seem to match their description of being extremely rare and difficult to find, so now I'm second guessing my ID.
Random roadside log I flipped it under on the last slide.
Other B. minor from same spot: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/38606790
Other maybe B. minor from same spot: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/38606785
Seen in the Los Jilgueros preserve by someone else
South Fork Campground
Crazy patternless male Side-blotched Lizard (blue morph).
Western fence lizard basking on a tree trunk. The lizard was covered in fungal spores, which gave it a yellow coloration.
Being eaten by a Common Raven
Rosy Boa on Isla Espiritu Santo. This species is not listed for the island in Grismer
Saw this guy in the chimney of the Roberts monument at Solstice. He was climbing vertically along the brick wall.
CNDDB: PAL11F0005
I was amazed to find this Sierran Treefrog trying to make a meal of a juvenile Taricha.
When I flipped the log the newt was upside down and in the frog's mouth, but was soon let go. The frog's tongue stuck out for a few seconds afterwards, I'd like to think due to awesome tetrodotoxin.
Pepperwood Preserve. Santa Rosa, California.