HumboldtHerps.com
...Reptiles and Amphibians of
Northwestern California and Beyond...
Northwestern California and Beyond...
| Taxonomy |
| Anatomy |
| Terrain |
In the Field
HumboldtHerps.com
...Reptiles and Amphibians of
Northwestern California and Beyond...
Northwestern California and Beyond...
One of the greatest joys of exploring the world of herpetology is the experience of
discovering them in the wild. While this may be a shock to some, for herp enthusiasts and naturalists alike, it is
an exciting spectacle to be able to observe herps in their natural surroundings. Those who have been lucky
enough to escape the concrete jungle and take the opportunity to adventure into the wilds are those who can
fondly retell tales of blue-bellies doing push-ups on a rock, treefrogs singing in the night, and rattles shaking in
the brush! For whatever reason you decide to go looking for critters in the field, whether it be for personal
appreciation, photography, biological study, or even specimen collection, please heed the following words when
you leave the field...
DON'T FORGET THE MAGIC!
discovering them in the wild. While this may be a shock to some, for herp enthusiasts and naturalists alike, it is
an exciting spectacle to be able to observe herps in their natural surroundings. Those who have been lucky
enough to escape the concrete jungle and take the opportunity to adventure into the wilds are those who can
fondly retell tales of blue-bellies doing push-ups on a rock, treefrogs singing in the night, and rattles shaking in
the brush! For whatever reason you decide to go looking for critters in the field, whether it be for personal
appreciation, photography, biological study, or even specimen collection, please heed the following words when
you leave the field...
DON'T FORGET THE MAGIC!
Trail near Stone Lagoon,
Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park
Hidden Beach, Del Norte County
This page is written in order to open your mind to the different approaches
regarding herping in the field. Hikers and naturalists who are not
particularly interested in herps may find some of the information useful
nonetheless.
regarding herping in the field. Hikers and naturalists who are not
particularly interested in herps may find some of the information useful
nonetheless.
agenda. When you do find an animal, it is usually with a sense of surprise and wonder. You have the space and time to allow yourself not to
interfere and simply just hold still (sometimes freeze!) and admire. This relaxed approach can also be adopted on longer backpacking trips or
even regular camp outings: even though you may be weighted with supplies, you are not dependent on them to appreciate your surroundings.
"Oh no! The batteries are low! "
Yes, batteries! Do not forget flash, zoom and macro! Just a few adjustments with these items and features, and..."Hey! Where did it go?"
Bye-bye lizard! I am repeating this example again, because this has been the bane of many herpers trying to bring some memories home on
film. I speak from personal experience. You miss the perfect shot, and then you get mad about it! This is what I refer to as "the magic being lost!"
Disappointment is the risk you take when you are actually in pursuit of photographing a particular animal. By accepting this risk, you can better
prepare to overcome it, and perhaps appreciate the rare glimpse you were at least given.
WHAT, WHERE and WHEN?
Imagine that the camera is not an issue for now. You simply want to witness some herps in the wild. What are you looking for? Reptiles?
Amphibians? What kinds? A certain species or subspecies? Where are you going to look? The coast? The mountains? Rivers? What time of
the year should you be looking? These are important questions that need to be answered if you hope to have a successful field herping
experience.
WHAT all species of reptiles and amphibians native to Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, and (the western portion of) Siskiyou Counties have in
common is that they are listed on the NATIVE SPECIES index of this website! Most of the species links are currently active (as of Oct. 9, 2007)
with either texts and/or pictures; some have not yet been written. The common and scientific names are, however, all present and can be
researched beyond this site. Numerous guides and informational websites are available (See also Herp Societies and Links, Herp Books or
References). These will aid in identification as well as determining WHERE to look and WHEN you might find them out and about. You may also
want to browse over the TAXONOMY page to get a general understanding of reptile and amphibian classification. Here you may learn why so
many of our local herps are difficult to identify because of the ancestral lineages they share. The ANATOMY page covers herp morphology, which
will help you to understand the names of body parts used to distinguish one species from another. The TERRAIN page describes specific
habitats associated with our local herps.
interfere and simply just hold still (sometimes freeze!) and admire. This relaxed approach can also be adopted on longer backpacking trips or
even regular camp outings: even though you may be weighted with supplies, you are not dependent on them to appreciate your surroundings.
"Oh no! The batteries are low! "
Yes, batteries! Do not forget flash, zoom and macro! Just a few adjustments with these items and features, and..."Hey! Where did it go?"
Bye-bye lizard! I am repeating this example again, because this has been the bane of many herpers trying to bring some memories home on
film. I speak from personal experience. You miss the perfect shot, and then you get mad about it! This is what I refer to as "the magic being lost!"
Disappointment is the risk you take when you are actually in pursuit of photographing a particular animal. By accepting this risk, you can better
prepare to overcome it, and perhaps appreciate the rare glimpse you were at least given.
WHAT, WHERE and WHEN?
Imagine that the camera is not an issue for now. You simply want to witness some herps in the wild. What are you looking for? Reptiles?
Amphibians? What kinds? A certain species or subspecies? Where are you going to look? The coast? The mountains? Rivers? What time of
the year should you be looking? These are important questions that need to be answered if you hope to have a successful field herping
experience.
WHAT all species of reptiles and amphibians native to Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, and (the western portion of) Siskiyou Counties have in
common is that they are listed on the NATIVE SPECIES index of this website! Most of the species links are currently active (as of Oct. 9, 2007)
with either texts and/or pictures; some have not yet been written. The common and scientific names are, however, all present and can be
researched beyond this site. Numerous guides and informational websites are available (See also Herp Societies and Links, Herp Books or
References). These will aid in identification as well as determining WHERE to look and WHEN you might find them out and about. You may also
want to browse over the TAXONOMY page to get a general understanding of reptile and amphibian classification. Here you may learn why so
many of our local herps are difficult to identify because of the ancestral lineages they share. The ANATOMY page covers herp morphology, which
will help you to understand the names of body parts used to distinguish one species from another. The TERRAIN page describes specific
habitats associated with our local herps.
Let's begin with the simple nature walk. A casual walk in the woods or along a creek may
yield a variety of reptile and amphibian sightings. If you are packed only with a sack lunch and a
water bottle, you are probably the best equipped for pure observation; in my personal experience,
this means that you are not distracted by cameras, pens and notepads, snake hooks, collection
bags, etc. You see the animal; you spend your time in awe of it! There is no time wasted in trying
to get the lens cap off. Some sightings only last a few seconds, and the animal is gone. These
hikes, in my opinion, often result in very few disappointments, because you do not have an
yield a variety of reptile and amphibian sightings. If you are packed only with a sack lunch and a
water bottle, you are probably the best equipped for pure observation; in my personal experience,
this means that you are not distracted by cameras, pens and notepads, snake hooks, collection
bags, etc. You see the animal; you spend your time in awe of it! There is no time wasted in trying
to get the lens cap off. Some sightings only last a few seconds, and the animal is gone. These
hikes, in my opinion, often result in very few disappointments, because you do not have an
ETHICS OF FIELD HERPETOLOGY
HumboldtHerps strongly advises that everyone who pursues herps in the field should have a firm understanding of responsible field herping
practices. Those of you who are interested in observing, photographing or collecting herps should know that a number of our local species
are exceptionally difficult to find. This usually means that they are either high up in the trees, deep underground, hidden within rotting wood,
or near the surface underneath logs, rocks and forest debris. Amateur herp enthusiasts will often stop at nothing in order to find such a
specimen. As a result, any animal discovered is often later returned to an environment less hospitable than it was prior to capture.
A sad example of this has occurred in Southern California's subspecies of the beautiful California Mountain Kingsnake (Lampropeltis
zonata). Isolated southern populations are now threatened, primarily because of extensive captures by private collectors; the final blow
however is the fact, that during acquisition, these snakes' environment was torn apart in the process. Here are a few guidelines to follow:
HCHS FIELD HERPING GUIDELINES
1) Please stay current on California Department of Fish and Game rules and restrictions; realize species' stats: special protections,
threatened or endangered status. If you collect wild-caught natives, you need a fishing license.
2) Please observe property boundaries. There is no collecting permitted in national and state parks. Additionally, there are numerous
preserves, sanctuaries and botanical areas, which are usually off limits. Private property, including that of timber companies and cattle
ranches, is prevalent throughout some of the best herping grounds in our area; please watch for NO TRESPASSING signs. The
backwoods of Northwestern California are also notorious for illegal cannabis grows; these may be found anywhere "in the sticks," and
they are usually protected by heavily-armed guards. Keep it safe, and respect species and park protections and boundaries.
3) Please observe the following regarding habitat alterations:
A) If you are searching for a species that is normally found undercover, and a rock or a log you want to look under is too heavy to lift by
yourself or is tightly wedged under other rocks or in the ground - LEAVE IT ALONE! Its secureness may offer stable cover for the
population within the area, plus it may serve as a shelter for numerous other animals; a pile of embedded rock rubble may look
entirely different underground! If you are looking for salamanders hibernating or aestivating in rotting logs - LEAVE THEM ALONE!
They are hibernating or aestivating; destroying their favorite retreat from cold winters and dry summers in order to get a picture of
one is no way to become a friend of salamanders!
B) When you do find a piece of cover that you can easily lift or remove, use foresight in deciding whether or not doing so will potentially
harm any animal that may lie underneath. For example, in early summer, you see a large flat piece of bark in a forest clearing; it is a
hot day, and most of the clearing is already quite dry; you lift the bark, and out jump 4 Pacific Treefrogs; you catch 2 of them, but the
other 2 get away; you take some pictures, try to put the bark back the way you found it, and then release the frogs at the edge of the
bark; meanwhile Hippity and Hoppity are cooking in the parched grass. This is a call you have to make. Most field herpetologists
understand that in order to learn more about a species, direct human intervention is sometimes necessary. Sometimes our best
intentions can backfire. There are ways to alleviate light alterations you may make in the environment. I have used the following
technique in my observations of California Slender Salamanders.
C) We strongly urge you to stay on designated trails both for your safety and welfare of the environment. Please do not trample or cut
down vegetation in your attempts of reaching a potential herp habitat. The animal you are looking may be not be immediately
dependent on a particular native plant for survival, however its prey may. Leave these sites for the field biologists and wildlife
agencies to monitor professionally.
4) Please observe the following regarding the handling of wild herps:
A) If you need to pick up and handle amphibians, make certain your hands are clean and free of any chemicals and odors (i.e: nicotine).
Due to the permeability of their skin, amphibians call fall ill to such substances; they can even be affected by the toxins in human
sweat. Keep your hands moist. Handling of eggs and larvae should be left to professionals. Also, it is very important that you wash
your hands after handling newts or toads; these animals have gland that exude strong toxins as a form of defense. At least one
human fatality has been recorded as a result of ingesting newt toxins. Handling frogs and toads is best done by holding them firmly,
but gently by their hind legs while they are extended.
B) If you are chasing lizards, please keep in mind that all of our native lizards (and some salamanders) are capable of caudal autotomy -
the loss and regrowth of the tail. Our lizards are quick and wriggly; when you attempt to catch one, you risk accidentally grabbing only
the tail. Lizards disconnect their tails in order to escape predators. This defensive measure does however have its drawbacks. Many
reptiles store fat (energy) in their tails. Loss of a tail, especially prior to winter hibernation, may severely weaken the animal. The loss
of a tail may also interfere with the social heirachy of some species. Studies in fence lizards have shown that a when a dominant
male loses his tail, he may lose his status. If you would like to safely catch a lizard, look for them under manageable cover in the
early morning, when they are still clammy and inactive from the cold. Lizards are safely held firmly, but gently behind the lateral portion
of the head. Sceloporus species are known to go into an apparent trance when held upside-down.
C) Do not attempt to catch and handle rattlesnakes, unless you are a professional and have good reason to do so. Please do not try to
make "pets" of them. Please visit the Crotalus page for more information regarding our Northern Pacific Rattlesnake.
Handling wild snakes, in general, is a touchy affair. Many of our local species will attempt to bite as well as defecate in order to ward
off a threat. Human instinct will often cause us to jerk back when a snake strikes at us. If you wonder what it is like to have tiny little
snake teeth embedded under your skin, just imagine how the snake feels about its missing teeth! Teeth may regrow, but the intent is
not to traumatize. Also, when you suddenly realize the snake is using you as a latrine, the common reaction is to drop the snake.
Sorry about the mess (and the stink), but for the snake's sake, just go with it until you can release the snake in a safe manner.
As with lizards, snakes are best held behind the head with the other hand supporting the lengths of its body. Do not pull on the snake
in your attempts to catch it or restrain it, as this may do vertebral damage. Some species will relax if you remain calm. Small
specimens may even coil around splayed fingers. In cooler weather, an occasional snake will actually "enjoy" human body heat.
D) Leave our Western Pond Turtle in peace! Many of the local populations are struggling. Take lots of pictures!
5) Please do not keep native herps in captivity unless you know what you are doing. If you legally catch a native herp, please ask yourself
why you want to keep this particular animal. Is it just kind of neat to have, or are you doing a scientific observation? Do you know about
and can you supply it with its dietary needs? Do you know the recommended temperature and humidity of its environment? Do you
intend to breed it? Please check with the CDFG regarding propagation laws. Please check the species listings for captive difficulty
ratings; active links will have brief descriptions in scarlet: i.e: adaptable, somewhat adaptable, difficult, extremely difficult, and/or high
maintenance...
6) Please be prepared! Wear clothing that is appropriate for weather and terrain: sturdy water-tight hiking boots, slip-resistant water shoes
or galoshes; shorts and summer wear vs. pants, long sleeves, jackets and/or rain gear; etc. If you have a camera, bring it, and don't
forget the batteries! For longer excursions extra water (or a filter pump), extra food, a first aid kit, a knife ,a flashlight, a compass and map
are bare minimum essentials. Tents, sleeping bags and pads, small collapsible iso-butane stoves and lanterns, dehydrated food
packs, cookware, rope, bear cannisters, handsaws, fire sticks, extra clothing and toiletries are to be considered for overnight
backpacking trips. Over-the-ankle boots and long pants are recommended for rattlesnake country; rattlesnake chaps are available, but
they may be a bit heavy. Herpetology gear may include catch nets, sterile bags and containers, hand lens, spray bottles, disinfectant,
GPS, two-way radios, rulers, scales, notepads and pen, snake hooks and tongs (newer versions are padded for snakes' "comfort"),
lizard nooses, etc. Make sure you let someone know where you are going and for how long. Check local weather conditions. Check with
park services for trail conditions and campfire and wilderness permits. A wide-brimmed straw hat , sunglasses, sunblock and a good
walking stick also come in handy! ALWAYS remember if you pack it in, pack it out!
KEEP IT SAFE! KEEP IT CLEAN! BE RESPECTFUL!
and HAVE FUN!
HumboldtHerps strongly advises that everyone who pursues herps in the field should have a firm understanding of responsible field herping
practices. Those of you who are interested in observing, photographing or collecting herps should know that a number of our local species
are exceptionally difficult to find. This usually means that they are either high up in the trees, deep underground, hidden within rotting wood,
or near the surface underneath logs, rocks and forest debris. Amateur herp enthusiasts will often stop at nothing in order to find such a
specimen. As a result, any animal discovered is often later returned to an environment less hospitable than it was prior to capture.
A sad example of this has occurred in Southern California's subspecies of the beautiful California Mountain Kingsnake (Lampropeltis
zonata). Isolated southern populations are now threatened, primarily because of extensive captures by private collectors; the final blow
however is the fact, that during acquisition, these snakes' environment was torn apart in the process. Here are a few guidelines to follow:
HCHS FIELD HERPING GUIDELINES
1) Please stay current on California Department of Fish and Game rules and restrictions; realize species' stats: special protections,
threatened or endangered status. If you collect wild-caught natives, you need a fishing license.
2) Please observe property boundaries. There is no collecting permitted in national and state parks. Additionally, there are numerous
preserves, sanctuaries and botanical areas, which are usually off limits. Private property, including that of timber companies and cattle
ranches, is prevalent throughout some of the best herping grounds in our area; please watch for NO TRESPASSING signs. The
backwoods of Northwestern California are also notorious for illegal cannabis grows; these may be found anywhere "in the sticks," and
they are usually protected by heavily-armed guards. Keep it safe, and respect species and park protections and boundaries.
3) Please observe the following regarding habitat alterations:
A) If you are searching for a species that is normally found undercover, and a rock or a log you want to look under is too heavy to lift by
yourself or is tightly wedged under other rocks or in the ground - LEAVE IT ALONE! Its secureness may offer stable cover for the
population within the area, plus it may serve as a shelter for numerous other animals; a pile of embedded rock rubble may look
entirely different underground! If you are looking for salamanders hibernating or aestivating in rotting logs - LEAVE THEM ALONE!
They are hibernating or aestivating; destroying their favorite retreat from cold winters and dry summers in order to get a picture of
one is no way to become a friend of salamanders!
B) When you do find a piece of cover that you can easily lift or remove, use foresight in deciding whether or not doing so will potentially
harm any animal that may lie underneath. For example, in early summer, you see a large flat piece of bark in a forest clearing; it is a
hot day, and most of the clearing is already quite dry; you lift the bark, and out jump 4 Pacific Treefrogs; you catch 2 of them, but the
other 2 get away; you take some pictures, try to put the bark back the way you found it, and then release the frogs at the edge of the
bark; meanwhile Hippity and Hoppity are cooking in the parched grass. This is a call you have to make. Most field herpetologists
understand that in order to learn more about a species, direct human intervention is sometimes necessary. Sometimes our best
intentions can backfire. There are ways to alleviate light alterations you may make in the environment. I have used the following
technique in my observations of California Slender Salamanders.
C) We strongly urge you to stay on designated trails both for your safety and welfare of the environment. Please do not trample or cut
down vegetation in your attempts of reaching a potential herp habitat. The animal you are looking may be not be immediately
dependent on a particular native plant for survival, however its prey may. Leave these sites for the field biologists and wildlife
agencies to monitor professionally.
4) Please observe the following regarding the handling of wild herps:
A) If you need to pick up and handle amphibians, make certain your hands are clean and free of any chemicals and odors (i.e: nicotine).
Due to the permeability of their skin, amphibians call fall ill to such substances; they can even be affected by the toxins in human
sweat. Keep your hands moist. Handling of eggs and larvae should be left to professionals. Also, it is very important that you wash
your hands after handling newts or toads; these animals have gland that exude strong toxins as a form of defense. At least one
human fatality has been recorded as a result of ingesting newt toxins. Handling frogs and toads is best done by holding them firmly,
but gently by their hind legs while they are extended.
B) If you are chasing lizards, please keep in mind that all of our native lizards (and some salamanders) are capable of caudal autotomy -
the loss and regrowth of the tail. Our lizards are quick and wriggly; when you attempt to catch one, you risk accidentally grabbing only
the tail. Lizards disconnect their tails in order to escape predators. This defensive measure does however have its drawbacks. Many
reptiles store fat (energy) in their tails. Loss of a tail, especially prior to winter hibernation, may severely weaken the animal. The loss
of a tail may also interfere with the social heirachy of some species. Studies in fence lizards have shown that a when a dominant
male loses his tail, he may lose his status. If you would like to safely catch a lizard, look for them under manageable cover in the
early morning, when they are still clammy and inactive from the cold. Lizards are safely held firmly, but gently behind the lateral portion
of the head. Sceloporus species are known to go into an apparent trance when held upside-down.
C) Do not attempt to catch and handle rattlesnakes, unless you are a professional and have good reason to do so. Please do not try to
make "pets" of them. Please visit the Crotalus page for more information regarding our Northern Pacific Rattlesnake.
Handling wild snakes, in general, is a touchy affair. Many of our local species will attempt to bite as well as defecate in order to ward
off a threat. Human instinct will often cause us to jerk back when a snake strikes at us. If you wonder what it is like to have tiny little
snake teeth embedded under your skin, just imagine how the snake feels about its missing teeth! Teeth may regrow, but the intent is
not to traumatize. Also, when you suddenly realize the snake is using you as a latrine, the common reaction is to drop the snake.
Sorry about the mess (and the stink), but for the snake's sake, just go with it until you can release the snake in a safe manner.
As with lizards, snakes are best held behind the head with the other hand supporting the lengths of its body. Do not pull on the snake
in your attempts to catch it or restrain it, as this may do vertebral damage. Some species will relax if you remain calm. Small
specimens may even coil around splayed fingers. In cooler weather, an occasional snake will actually "enjoy" human body heat.
D) Leave our Western Pond Turtle in peace! Many of the local populations are struggling. Take lots of pictures!
5) Please do not keep native herps in captivity unless you know what you are doing. If you legally catch a native herp, please ask yourself
why you want to keep this particular animal. Is it just kind of neat to have, or are you doing a scientific observation? Do you know about
and can you supply it with its dietary needs? Do you know the recommended temperature and humidity of its environment? Do you
intend to breed it? Please check with the CDFG regarding propagation laws. Please check the species listings for captive difficulty
ratings; active links will have brief descriptions in scarlet: i.e: adaptable, somewhat adaptable, difficult, extremely difficult, and/or high
maintenance...
6) Please be prepared! Wear clothing that is appropriate for weather and terrain: sturdy water-tight hiking boots, slip-resistant water shoes
or galoshes; shorts and summer wear vs. pants, long sleeves, jackets and/or rain gear; etc. If you have a camera, bring it, and don't
forget the batteries! For longer excursions extra water (or a filter pump), extra food, a first aid kit, a knife ,a flashlight, a compass and map
are bare minimum essentials. Tents, sleeping bags and pads, small collapsible iso-butane stoves and lanterns, dehydrated food
packs, cookware, rope, bear cannisters, handsaws, fire sticks, extra clothing and toiletries are to be considered for overnight
backpacking trips. Over-the-ankle boots and long pants are recommended for rattlesnake country; rattlesnake chaps are available, but
they may be a bit heavy. Herpetology gear may include catch nets, sterile bags and containers, hand lens, spray bottles, disinfectant,
GPS, two-way radios, rulers, scales, notepads and pen, snake hooks and tongs (newer versions are padded for snakes' "comfort"),
lizard nooses, etc. Make sure you let someone know where you are going and for how long. Check local weather conditions. Check with
park services for trail conditions and campfire and wilderness permits. A wide-brimmed straw hat , sunglasses, sunblock and a good
walking stick also come in handy! ALWAYS remember if you pack it in, pack it out!
KEEP IT SAFE! KEEP IT CLEAN! BE RESPECTFUL!
and HAVE FUN!
| Taxonomy |
| Anatomy |
| Terrain |
Upon discovering a herp under cover,
you will often find the specimen in a
self-made (or rodent-made) depression.
This conveniently allows you to
photograph the animal and safely
replace the cover without the fears of
squishing it. Unfortunately, many
herps slink and burrow their way under
cover without the benefit of tunnels or
hollows. here the method of cover
replacement is more crucial.
you will often find the specimen in a
self-made (or rodent-made) depression.
This conveniently allows you to
photograph the animal and safely
replace the cover without the fears of
squishing it. Unfortunately, many
herps slink and burrow their way under
cover without the benefit of tunnels or
hollows. here the method of cover
replacement is more crucial.
The space under this log is rather flat; these 2 Batrachoseps
wormed their way between the textures of the rotting wood to find
cover. Returning the log as you found might very well crush both
specimens. Careful positioning will not guarantee that they will
not move in the last minute.
wormed their way between the textures of the rotting wood to find
cover. Returning the log as you found might very well crush both
specimens. Careful positioning will not guarantee that they will
not move in the last minute.
I usually use small sticks to create a
brace, so the log will be slightly
elevated over the animal(s). This may
interfere with humidity retention, so I
cover one side with filler (mud, soil,
peat, bark or grass ).
In the event you choose to handle the
animal (consider the weather), you
may opt to replace the cover and let
the animal find its own way under.
Stick around to make sure it does!
brace, so the log will be slightly
elevated over the animal(s). This may
interfere with humidity retention, so I
cover one side with filler (mud, soil,
peat, bark or grass ).
In the event you choose to handle the
animal (consider the weather), you
may opt to replace the cover and let
the animal find its own way under.
Stick around to make sure it does!