What a fantastic experience exploring the damp woodlands of Upper Stevens Creek County Park! I joined the Biology and OWLS Clubs for a special herpetology walk led by West Valley College alumnus Brandon Kong. It was an incredible opportunity to learn directly from an expert and uncover the hidden world of reptiles and amphibians right in our local mountains.
Species Encountered:
🦎 California Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps attenuatus): The small salamander with the reddish-brown stripe down its back. They are often found under logs and bark in these damp forests.
🦎 California Newt (Taricha torosa): The rough-skinned amphibian held in hand. They are very active during the rainy season and are a classic sight in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
🦎 Ensatina (Ensatina eschscholtzii): This salamander is a master of disguise! With its orange-brown body and bright yellow patch in the eye, it mimics the toxic California Newt to deter predators. Unlike newts, it has a constriction at the base of its tail and "costal grooves" that give it a segmented appearance.
🦎 Rough-skinned Newt (Taricha granulosa): We were lucky to spot this second newt species! We distinguished it from the California Newt by its smaller eyes (which don't protrude past the jawline), dark lower eyelids, and typically grainier skin texture.
🦎 California Newt (Taricha torosa): The rough-skinned amphibian held in hand. They are very active during the rainy season and are a classic sight in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
🦎 Ensatina (Ensatina eschscholtzii): This salamander is a master of disguise! With its orange-brown body and bright yellow patch in the eye, it mimics the toxic California Newt to deter predators. Unlike newts, it has a constriction at the base of its tail and "costal grooves" that give it a segmented appearance.
🦎 Rough-skinned Newt (Taricha granulosa): We were lucky to spot this second newt species! We distinguished it from the California Newt by its smaller eyes (which don't protrude past the jawline), dark lower eyelids, and typically grainier skin texture.
California Newt
Banana slug
California Slender Salamander
Ensatina
Rough-skinned Newt
