Reptiles and Amphibians of California's Journal

Journal archives for September 2018

September 3, 2018

Pen in Hand: The lizards among us: Tehachapi Mountains home to an assortment of reptiles.

There are currently 67 recognized species or subspecies of lizards in California. Of these, at least 11 have been seen in our mountains. The Tehachapis are an area of considerable taxonomic mixing of both plants and animals, where different species from the Great Basin Desert, Sierra Nevada, Mojave Desert and San Joaquin Valley can often be found.

http://www.tehachapinews.com/lifestyle/pen-in-hand-the-lizards-among-us-tehachapi-mountains-home/article_7ffc29c8-aa1b-11e8-8ec2-af631b1a8531.html

Posted on September 3, 2018 11:00 AM by biohexx1 biohexx1 | 0 comments | Leave a comment

September 5, 2018

After the mountain yellow-legged frog disappeared.

A wildlife biologist returns to a childhood stomping ground, devoid of its once-plentiful amphibians.

https://www.hcn.org/issues/50.13/wildlife-after-the-mountain-yellow-legged-frog-disappeared

Posted on September 5, 2018 01:20 AM by biohexx1 biohexx1 | 0 comments | Leave a comment

September 10, 2018

When it rains, snake bites soar.

The research, which was led by Caleb Phillips of the University of Colorado Boulder and Grant Lipman of the Stanford University School of Medicine, examined 20 years of snakebite data from across California. Their findings contradict a popular theory among many wilderness health professionals that drought might increase snake bites by pushing the reptiles into the open where they are more likely to run into people.

Instead, the group discovered that for every 10 percent increase in rainfall over the previous 18 months, cases of snake bites spiked by 3.9 percent in California's 58 counties.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180905113638.htm

Posted on September 10, 2018 10:49 AM by biohexx1 biohexx1 | 0 comments | Leave a comment

September 16, 2018

State Officials Urge Drivers to ‘Watch Out for Wildlife.

To help reduce collisions with animals and birds, Caltrans and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife remind motorists to be on the lookout during “Watch Out for Wildlife Week” Sept. 16–22.

https://scvnews.com/2018/09/14/state-officials-urge-drivers-to-watch-out-for-wildlife/

Posted on September 16, 2018 11:32 AM by biohexx1 biohexx1 | 0 comments | Leave a comment

On the hunt for a silent salamander-killer.

Scientists are racing to stop a pandemic before it starts – but will they find it in time?

https://news.mongabay.com/2018/09/on-the-hunt-for-a-silent-salamander-killer/

Posted on September 16, 2018 11:57 AM by biohexx1 biohexx1 | 0 comments | Leave a comment

September 19, 2018

Roadkill report: A roadmap to avoiding wildlife collisions.

The report is being released during Watch Out for Wildlife Week, which runs Sept. 16-22 and is a project of Caltrans and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The week coincides with the start of the season in California when deer and elk migrate and look for mates, serving as a reminder for motorists to be especially alert to avoid collisions with wildlife.
https://phys.org/news/2018-09-roadkill-roadmap-wildlife-collisions.html

Posted on September 19, 2018 01:00 PM by biohexx1 biohexx1 | 0 comments | Leave a comment

September 25, 2018

Rattlesnake bites linked to weather, says Stanford research.

An analysis of 5,365 snakebites in California by Stanford University scientists found that the number of rattlesnake bites increases after periods of rainy weather – but decreases after a drought.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/09/24/rattlesnake-bites-linked-to-weather-says-stanford-research/

Posted on September 25, 2018 09:51 AM by biohexx1 biohexx1 | 9 comments | Leave a comment

September 26, 2018

Frogtown Without Frogs: The Changing Ecology of the Bowtie Parcel and the L.A. River.

This unassuming, seemingly abandoned site along the Los Angeles River pulls everything into focus. The future of the Bowtie Parcel, once one of Southern California’s most important railroad yards, is being discussed right now. "South of Fletcher: Stories from the Bowtie" aims to diversify the voices being heard by listening to the people who know the Bowtie — what it was, what it is, and who care about what it will become.

https://www.kcet.org/shows/artbound/frogtown-without-frogs-the-changing-ecology-of-the-bowtie-parcel-and-the-la-river

Posted on September 26, 2018 01:07 PM by biohexx1 biohexx1 | 0 comments | Leave a comment