#1 Lampropeltis zonata - California Mountain King Snake
#2 Hypsiglena ochrorhynchus - Coast Night Snake
#3 Charina Bottae - Northern Rubber Boa
#4 Aneides Niger - Santa Cruz Black Salamander . . . . . . It really doesn’t get better than this. On a random Thursday after my class is canceled I go for an impromptu herp and have the best day of my life. Found 4 lifers today, 3 of which were high up on my list and then a secret fourth option which turned out to be cooler and more rare than anything else on my radar. Got to bring my cousin along with me and meet up with some friends for the second half. I’m hoping for more days like this one. What an awesome time.
Phrynosoma blainvillii - Coast Horned Lizard or Horny Toad! This is the species that made me fall in love with herping as an adult. When I was a kid my uncle used to take me to find snakes and lizards and he’d always tell me about horny toads! I had no idea they were in Monterey county until last October. After learning that, this was the first species I’ve targeted as an adult. I spent a lot of time learning where they hang out and after many hikes with nothing to show I finally got my lifer. If it weren’t for the horny toad I probably wouldn’t be herping as much as I do. This is a super special find for me really couldn’t be happier.
