October 24 2010 Crevice Spiny Lizards

This is a late post but here it goes.

I have been keeping track of a colony of Crevice Spiny Lizards (Sceloporus poinsettii) that live in a canyon near my house. The 6 individuals I monitor live on a section of wall about 50ft long. There are 3 females and 3 males.

They each have their own individual crevices which they quickly duck into when I get near.

There are also a few Sagebrush Lizards (Sceloporus graciosus) which inhabit the same area.

It is very cool to see two different species inhabit not just the same area, but also the same hides.

Well I went herping this weekend with Connor and we found some cool stuff. Including 2 types of rare salamanders. And I now have a new slimy salamander spot.

Sorry for bad pics but I only had my phone with me.

Checkered Garter snake

[IMG]http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr251/amphibiandude/Herping/IMG_1100.jpg[/img]

Slimy salamanders. We found 7

1

[IMG]http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr251/amphibiandude/Herping/IMG_1083.jpg[/img]

2

[IMG]http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr251/amphibiandude/Herping/IMG_1082.jpg[/img]

3

[IMG]http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr251/amphibiandude/Herping/IMG_1081.jpg[/img]

4

[IMG]http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr251/amphibiandude/Herping/IMG_1078.jpg[/img]

5

[IMG]http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr251/amphibiandude/Herping/IMG_1075.jpg[/img]

6

[IMG]http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr251/amphibiandude/Herping/IMG_1070.jpg[/img]

7

[IMG]http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr251/amphibiandude/Herping/IMG_1063.jpg[/img]

Cool colored chirping frog

[IMG]http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr251/amphibiandude/Herping/IMG_1076.jpg[/img]

Gulf coast toad.

[IMG]http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr251/amphibiandude/Herping/IMG_1068.jpg[/img]

We also found some Texas Salamanders which are an all aquatic species but they are almost impossible to catch without hurting them if you don't have a net so sorry but no pics. Maybe next time.

The best find of the year though happened this morning though

My first Texas Alligator lizard!

A lifer.

Very calm and cool lizard.

[IMG]http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr251/amphibiandude/Herping/IMG_1098.jpg[/img]

[IMG]http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr251/amphibiandude/Herping/IMG_1096.jpg[/img]

[IMG]http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr251/amphibiandude/Herping/IMG_1093.jpg[/img]

[IMG]http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr251/amphibiandude/Herping/IMG_1092.jpg[/img]

[IMG]http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr251/amphibiandude/Herping/IMG_1086.jpg[/img]

[IMG]http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr251/amphibiandude/Herping/IMG_1084.jpg[/img]

And also I wanted to enter it into NAHERP.com and so I could accurately record the size I did the only logical thing I could.

I put him on my arm with his tail at the end of my fingertips and jabbed a cactus needle in my arm there his nose reached to.

We then released the lizard and I walked back with a cactus spine in my arm.

He measured 14 1/2 inches.

Yay.

[IMG]http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr251/amphibiandude/Herping/IMG_1099.jpg[/img]

Once again sorry for bad pics.

I'll bring my camera next time.