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Natural History/Field Observation Field observations of corn snakes, field collecting, or just general topics about the natural environment they are found in.

Some accidental herping in Kings Canyon National Park
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Old 07-16-2007, 05:02 PM   #1
Blue Apple Herps
Some accidental herping in Kings Canyon National Park

I was in California vacationing last week and spend most of it in Kings Canyon backpacking. We spent three nights/four days in the back country. Wasn't expecting to see many herps, but saw a ton of lizards and one snake. No idea what the lizards, but the snake (I believe) is a California Mountain Kingsnake. These lizards were actually like rats; they were everywhere.

This was the only snake I saw; happened by chance, just saw a flash of red out of the corner of my eye and was able to grab him before he went under the rocks. He didn't bite or musk. Looked to be a yearling.

Anyways, someone want to help me identify the lizards and confirm the snake?
 
Old 07-16-2007, 05:34 PM   #2
Nanci
That is so cool! I'd probably die if I actually caught a kingsnake...

Nanci
 
Old 07-16-2007, 05:45 PM   #3
texastailfeathers
I think the lizard is a spiny lizard.

http://images.google.com/images?svnu...q=spiny+lizard
 
Old 07-16-2007, 08:59 PM   #4
DaGiant
Beautiful King...
The 2nd lizard looks like a good old obnoxious
aligator lizard that has his tail regrowing..
They are all over the place...
 
Old 07-17-2007, 12:38 AM   #5
TandJ
The king might be a Zonata.. Not sure though, I think the Zonata are only in the San Bernadino mountain Range.. Not sure where King County, although I suspect further up northern Cali considering the nice lush green, instead of the burnt up and dried out desert I am used to seeing..

Nice finds anyway and thanks for sharing the pictures..

Regards.. Tim of T and J
 
Old 07-17-2007, 01:35 AM   #6
Blue Apple Herps
So we have a vote for spiny lizard and aligator lizard. I'm not even sure these are the same species of lizard. Their body shape and coloration are so different; but I suppose it could just be color variation and size differences?

Quote:
Originally Posted by TandJ
The king might be a Zonata.. Not sure though, I think the Zonata are only in the San Bernadino mountain Range.. Not sure where King County, although I suspect further up northern Cali considering the nice lush green, instead of the burnt up and dried out desert I am used to seeing..

Nice finds anyway and thanks for sharing the pictures..

Regards.. Tim of T and J
Thanks! I did a search for Zonata and came up with this: http://www.kingsnake.com/king/zonata/multicincta.html

A Sierra Mountain Kingsnake. Looks like the California Mtn Kingsnake ahs a Sierra subspecies, which seeing as this was found in the Sierras is probably it. (Here's the page of the subspecies I found if you're interested: http://www.kingsnake.com/king/zonata/zonata.html)

And thanks for the kind words about the pics. I get jealous seeing all these other herping pictures. I spend soooooo much time outdoors and have only seen probably 5 snakes, including this one. It's neat to finally be able to share.
 
Old 07-17-2007, 10:17 AM   #7
texastailfeathers
Oops, I only saw the first lizard. I didn't even notice the second pic. I think the first one (the lighter one) is a spiny lizard.

The second one (with the stubby tail) could be an alligator lizard...but I don't know for sure. Never seen one.
 
Old 07-17-2007, 10:44 AM   #8
tom e
When I was a kid, I'd have said those are a couple of old blue bellies. (lol)

I would say fence swift on the first and spiny lizard on the second. Is there a difference? Maybe fence swift is just a general term for sceloperous spp. Neither is alligator lizard though. As for the king snake I just don't know..

That first one looks gravid though. I've hatched these before when I was a kid and didn't even know I had eggs in the viv.
 
Old 07-18-2007, 08:52 AM   #9
Pruddock
Great pics Matthew. Congrats on the finds, that kingsnake is really a beautiful specimen. I really like the blue belly on that first lizard too (whatever it is ). I'll keep working on planning that trip in the fall and hopefully we can find a few more snakes in Tejas!
 
Old 07-18-2007, 05:59 PM   #10
sam11293
Cool

awwwww that is so cool i wish i had a chance to see that kind or snake whatever it is but sorry dont know what they are sorry
 

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