Zoological Society of San Diego A LIST of the AMPHIBIANS and REPTILES of SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA By L. M. Klauber Second Edition ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO Bulletin No. 5 March 12, 1930 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO A LIST OF THE AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES of SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA SECOND EDITION By L. M. Klauber A. NEWTS AND SALAMANDERS 1. Pacific Coast Newt Triturus torosiis ( Eschscholtz ) Common in Boulder and Cedar Creeks. Also occurs near De Luz. 2. Southern Slender Salamander Batrachoseps attenuatus leucopu.s (Dunn) Well distributed from the ocean to the mountains. Common in city gardens under stones and boards. 3. Yellow-spotted Salamander Ensatina croceater (Cope) Moderately rare. Recorded from several mountain localities in leaf mold or under fallen logs. 4. Orange Salamander Ensatina eschscholtzii Gray Has been taken at Sequoia mine near Dulzura. 5. Arboreal Salamander Aneides lugubris lugubris (Hallowell) Rare. Recorded from several coast and foothill points. B. FROGS AND TOADS 1. Western Spadefoot Toad Scaphiopus hammondii Baird Has been taken in a number of localities from the ocean to the mountains. Usually out during rain storms. 2. California Toad Biifo boreas halophilus (Baird and Girard) Common from the ocean to the mountains and in oases in the desert foothills. The adults are active only at night as is the case with most toads. 3. Arroyo Toad Bufo californicus (Camp) Moderately common in inland valleys and foothills. 4. Spotted Toad Bufo punctatus Baird and Girard Rare in desert slope oases. 5. Canyon Tree-frog Hyla arenicolor Cope Moderately common in rocky canyons from the foothills to the desert. Usually found on boulder faces. 6. Pacific Tree-frog Hyla regilla Baird and Girard Common from the ocean to the desert in moist localities. 7. California Red-legged Frog Rana aurora draytonii (Baird and Girard ) Moderately common in streams and ponds from the ocean to the mountains. 8. Sierra Madre Yellow-legged Frog Rana boylii muscosa Camp Has been found in Doane Valley on Palomar Mountain and is to be expected in other mountain streams. 3 ^^oological Society oi jUlngo AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES C. LIZARDS 1. Tubercular Gecko Phyllodactyhis tuberculosus Wiegmann Moderately rare in rocky areas on the desert slope. Nocturnal. 2. Banded Gecko Coleonyx variegatiis (Baird) Occasional from the ocean to the desert. Nocturnal. 3. Northern Crested Lizard Dipsosaunis dorsalis dorsalis ( Baird and Girard) Common on the desert in sandy areas. 4. Collared Lizard Crotaphytiis collaris (Say) Moderately common on the tumbled boulders of the desert slope. 5. Leopard Lizard Crotaphytiis wislizenii Baird and Girard Moderately common on the desert slope and desert in sandy areas. Occasional in the western foothills. 6. Chuckwalla Saiiroinalus obesus (Baird) Moderately rare on the boulder strewn desert foothills. 7. Desert Gridiron-tailed Lizard Callisaiiriis ventralis gabbii Cope Quite common from the desert foothills to the desert. A lizard of the sandy washes. 8. Long-tailed Swift Uta graciosa (Hallowell) Moderately rare on the desert, usually on the stems of shrubs. 9. Mearns’ Rock Lizard Uta niearnsi Stejneger Common on the rough granite boulders of the desert slope. 10. Small-scaled Swift Uta microscutata Van Denburgh Rather rare in rocky areas along the Mexican border. Also found in Borego Palm Canyon. 11. California Brown-shouldered Lizard Uta stansburiana hesperis Richardson Exceedingly common from the ocean shore to the mountains, alike in rocky areas, chaparral or open fields. 12. Desert Brown-shouldered Lizard Uta stansburiana stejnegeri Schmidt Common on the desert slope and desert. 13. Southern Mountain Swift Sceloporus graeiosus vaiidenbiirgianus (Cope ) Moderately common on Laguna, Cuyamaca and Palomar Moun- tains above an altitude of 5000 feet. 14. Desert Scaly Lizard Sceloporus magister Hallowell Moderately rare on the desert, usually in the branches of shrubs. 15. Western Fence Lizard Sceloporus occidentalis biseriatus (Hallo- well ) Exceedingly common from the ocean to the desert slope on rocks, fences or trees. 16. Dusky Scaly Lizard Sceloporus orcutti Stejneger Common among boulders in the foothills on both slopes. 4 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO 17. Southern California Horned Toad Phrynosonui blainvillii blain- villii (Gray) Common from the ocean to the mountains in fields or chaparral. 18. Flat-tailed Horned Toad Phrynosonia ni’callii ( Hallowell ) Moderately rare in sandy areas on the desert. 19. Desert Horned Toad Phrynosonia platyrhinos Girard Moderately common on the desert slope and desert. 20. San Diegan Alligator Lizard Gerrhonotus scincicauda webbii ( Baird ) Common from the ocean to the mountains, especially about human habitations. 21. Silvery Footless Lizard Anniella piilchra Gray Subterranean. Moderately common throughout the county in sandy soil. 22. Spotted Night Lizard Xantiisia henshavvi Stejneger Common under granite flakes on the foothills of both slopes. Nocturnal. 23. Desert Night Lizard Xantusia vigilis Baird Rare on the desert slope and desert. Nocturnal. 24. California Orange-throated Lizard Cneniidophorus hyperythrus beldingi (Stejneger) Moderately rare from the ocean to the mountains, usually in brush. 25. Desert Whiptail Lizard Cneniidophorus tessellatus tessellatus (Say) Common on the desert in sandy, rockstrewn areas. 26. San Diegan Whiptail Lizard Cneniidophorus tessellatus stejne- geri (Van Denburgh ) Moderately common from the ocean to the desert in brushy areas. 27. Western Skink Eiinieees skiltonianus (Baird and Girard) Moderately common from the ocean to the desert slope, usually under rocks, leaves or debris. D. SNAKES 1. Western Worm Snake Siagonodon liuniilis (Baird and Girard) Subterranean. Rather rare from the ocean to the desert. 2. California Boa Liohanura roseofusca Cope Moderately common from the ocean to the deseil, usually in chaparral or amongst boulders. 3. San Diegan Ring-neck Snake Diadophis aniabilis siiiiilis Blanchard Moderately common from the ocean to the mountains, particu- larly in gardens or other moist areas. AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES 5 4. Western Yellow-bellied Racer Coluber constrictor luornion (Baird and Girard) Rare from the ocean to the desert foothills. A snake of the open fields. 5. Red Racer Masticophis tlagellnni frenatiis ( Stejneger ) Moderately common from the ocean to the desert in fields or brush. 6. Black Whip Snake Masticophis flagellum piceus ( Cope ) A single specimen has been taken in the vicinity of Dulzura. 7. California Striped Racer Masticophis lateralis (Hallowell) Common from the ocean to the mountains, especially in chap- arral. 8. Western Patch-nosed Snake Salvadora grahaiuiae hexalepis (Cope) Moderately rare from the ocean to the desert. 9. Lower California Leaf-nosed Snake Phyllorhynchus decurtatus ( Cope ) Rare. Several specimens have been taken in the desert foot- hills and desert. A nocturnal snake. 10. Western Faded Snake Arizona elegans occidentalis Blanchard Moderately rare from the ocean to the desert. Crepuscular. 11. San Diegan Gopher Snake Pituophis catenifer annectens (Baird and Girard) Very common from the ocean to the desert foothills. The most beneficial of our snakes and likewise the most common. 12. California King Snake Lanipropeltis calif orniae (Blainville) Moderately common from the ocean to the desert foothills. 13. Boyle’s King Snake Lanipropeltis getulus boylii (Baird and Girard ) Common from the ocean to the desert. 14. Coral King Snake Lampropeltis multicincta (Yarrow) Rare in the mountains. The most brilliantly colored of our local species. 15. Long-nosed Snake Rhinocheilus lecontei Baird and Girard Moderately common from the ocean to the desert. Crepuscular. 16. Shovel-nosed Ground Snake Sonora occipitalis (Hallowell) Rather rare on the desert. Nocturnal. Prefers sandy areas. 17. Spotted Night Snake Hypsiglena ochrorhynchus Cope Moderately rare from the ocean to the desert. Nocturnal. Usually taken in rocky situations. 18. Pacific Garter Snake Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis (Blainville) Several specimens have been taken in the northern section of the county along the river banks. 6 '/.OOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SAM DIEGO 19. California Garter Snake Thaninophis ordiiioides hamniondii ( Kennicott ) Very common from the ocean to the mountains especially about streams and ponds. 20. Mountain Garter Snake Thaninophis ordinoides elegaiis ( Baird and Girard) Several specimens have been taken on Laguna Mountain and at Jacumba. 21. California Tantilla Tantilla eiseni Stejneger Rare from the ocean to the desert foothills. A burrowing snake. 22. California Lyre Snake Triinorphodon vandenburghi Klauber Rare from the ocean to the desert foothills. Nocturnal. Usually taken in rocky areas. 23. Sidewinder Crotalus cerastes Hallowell Moderately common in the desert. Crepscular. Sometimes called Horned Rattlesnake. 24. Red Diamond Rattlesnake Crotalus ruber (Cope) Common from the ocean to the desert foothills especially in cactus and among boulders. The largest of our local rattlers. 25. Bleached Rattlesnake Crotalus confluentiis mitchellii ( Cope ) Moderately common from the foothills to the desert in rocky areas or chaparral. 26. Pacific Rattlesnake Crotalus confluentiis oreganiis ( Holbrook ) Common from the ocean to the desert in fields, brush or rocks. E. TORTOISES AND TURTLES 1. Pacific Mud Turtle Clemmys marmorata (Baird and Girard) Moderately rare in streams and ponds. 2. Pacific Green Turtle Chelonia agassizii Bocourt Occasional in the bay and on the coast. 3. Pacific Leather-back Turtle Dermochelys schlegelii (Garman) One was secured off Pt. Loma many years ago. SPECIES REPORTED FROM AREAS CLOSELY ADJACENT TO SAN DIEGO COUNTY AA. NEWTS AND SALAMANDERS 1. Garden Salamander Batrachoseps atteniiatiis major (Camp) Has been reported from Riverside County. BB. FROGS AND TOADS 1. Great Plains Toad Bufo cognatus Say Has been reported from Brawley and Fish Springs, Imperial County and may occur in the northeast corner of our County. 2. Rocky Mountain Toad Bufo woodhousii Girard Has been taken at Harper Well, Imperial County, eleven miles east of the San Diego County line. AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES 7 3. Leopard Frog Rana pipiens Schreber Has been reported from Dixieland, Imperial County. CC. LIZARDS 1. Ocellated Sand Lizard Uma notata Baird A desert species found in the sand hills of Imperial County which may be expected within our eastern borders. Occurs at least as far west as Coyote Wells. 2. Striped Scaly Lizard Sceloporus rufidorsuin Yarrow A Lower California species which has been found somewhat north of Ensenada. DD. SNAKES 1. Pacific Rubber Snake Charina bottae (Blainville) A specimen taken near Idyllwild, Riverside County, indicates that this species may be found on one of our own mountain peaks. 2. Desert Gopher Snake Pituophis catenifer deserticola Stejneger Common in Imperial Valley and almost certain to occur in northeastern San Diego County. 3. Striped Ground Snake Sonora semiannulata episcopa (Kenni- cott) Not uncommon in Imperial Valley and may be expected in northeastern San Diego County. 4. Banded Burrowing Snake Chilomeniscus cinctus Cope A desert species which has been found in Imperial County. 5. Marcy’s Garter Snake Thamnophis niarcianus (Baird and Girard) A specimen has been taken as near as Holtville, Imperial County. 6. Desert Diamond Rattlesnake Crotalus atrox Baird and Girard Has been taken as far west as Seeley, Imperial County, and may occur in northeastern San Diego County. EE. TORTOISES AND TURTLES 1. Desert Tortoise Gopheriis agassizii (Cooper) Not uncommon in Imperial County and may occur in eastern San Diego County. 2. Pacific Loggerhead Turtle Caretta olivacea (Eschscholtz) May visit our coast. Note — Rattlesnakes are the only dangerously venomous snakes found in California. Most other snakes are beneficial to agriculture (by their destruction of harmful rodents) and should be protected. The Zoological Society of San Diego will appreciate donations of live amphibians and reptiles from San Diego County or contiguous areas. Such specimens are not only useful for our exhibits and for scientific study but likewise enable us to secure by exchange specimens from other districts. 8 ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OE SAN DIEGO ItEC’ENT WORKS OF INTEREST IN THE STUDY OF THE ih:rpetology of SAN DIEGO county 1925. Blanchard, Frank N. A Key to the Snakes of the United States, Canada and Lower Cali- fornia. Papers of the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts and Letters, Vol. 4, Part 2, pp. 1-65. 1917. Grinnell, Jos. and Camp, Chas. L. A Distributional List of the Amphibians and Reptiles of California. University of California Publications in Zoology, Vol. 17, No. 10, pp. 127-298. 1924. Klauber, L. M. Notes on the Distribution of Snakes in San Diego County, California. Bull. Zool. Soc. of San Diego, No. 1, pp. 1-23. 1927. Klauber, L. M. Some Observations on the Rattlesnakes of the Extreme Southwest. Bull. Antivenin Inst, of America, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 7-21. 1927. Klauber, L. M. Notes on the Salamanders of San Diego County, California. Bull. Zool. Soc. of San Diego, No. 3, pp. 1-4. 1922. Schmidt, Karl Patterson The Amphibians and Reptiles of Lower California. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. Vol. 46, Art. 11, pp. 607-707. 1928. Slevin, J. R. The Amphibians of Western North America. Occas. Papers Calif. Acad. Sci. No. 16, pp. 1-152. 1923. Stejneger, Leonard and Barbour, Thomas A Check List of North American Amphibians and Reptiles. Second Edition, pp. XX-|-171. Harvard University Press. 1921. Stephens, Frank An Annotated List of the Amphibians and Reptiles of San Diego County, California. Trans. San Diego Soc. Nat. Hist. Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 57-69. 1925. Storer, Tracy I. A Synopsis of the Amphibia of California. University of Calif. Pubs, in Zool. Vol. 27, pp. 1-342. 1922. Van Denburgh, John The Reptiles of Western North America. Occas. Papers Calif. Acad. Sci. No. 10, Vol. 1, Lizards; Vol. 2, Snakes and Turtles, pp. 1-1028.