Locations

Eastern Mojave Desert, CA

Dates

Apr. 16th - Apr. 19th 2010

Weather

Clear and sunny with occasional high cloud cover. Highs high 70s - mid 80s, lows high 30s - high 40s. Moon just waxing.

Species Summary

Herps
2 Great Basin Gopher Snake - 1 AOR, 1 DOR
3 Red Coachwhip - 2 Field, 1 AOR
1 Glossy Snake - 1 AOR
2 Sidewinder - 2 DOR
1 Mojave Rattlesnake - 1 DOR

1 Desert Iguana
3 Zebra-tailed Lizard
~4 Desert Spiny Lizard
~6 Mojave Fringe-toed Lizard
~15 Great Basin Whiptail Lizard

1 Desert Tortoise

A short period of warming in this relatively cool Spring was predicted so I decided to make a run out to the eastern Mojave hoping for some fun daytime herp activity and hopefully some productive night cruising at lower elevations.
 
My first stop was in the late afternoon at a lava field where bands of twisted basaltic islands emerge from a sea of sand, desert scrub and grasses.
 
In such rich habitat I had expected to see lots of lizard activity but the sun was low and the air slightly cool so perhaps it just a bit too late in the day. But I did see a few Side-blotched Lizards as I searched among the rocks, all while keeping a close eye on the ground for snake tracks.
 
Finally I found a short snippet of a snake trail which appeared to end in a small skirmish. As I studied the immediate area for more clues I caught some motion out of the corner of my eye and so found a Red Coachwhip laying in the sand just three feet to my left! And not only that, it was aligned with my path and headed in the same direction. Surely I would have seen this on my approach so it appears the animals had in effect snuck up behind me as I was inspecting the tracks.
 
Immediately I attempted to pin the snake with my field hook but failed to restrain it and it bolted directly in front of me. I dove to grab it and fortunately caught the rear third. I was well aware of the possibility of finding this species at this location but knew that only by the best of luck would I be able to secure one. As it unfolded, this particular incident seems supernaturally gifted and so, whatever might come on the rest of my trip I felt that I'd already had my share of good fortune.
 
This four foot class Red Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum piceus) is the first one of this species I've ever touched!

 
I was very impressed by the intensity of this species. The head is long and supports powerful jaws and this one bit me several times, but without conviction, and drawing little blood.

 
I let it go among the rocks and it found a pocket to maintain its defense and permit another photo op.

 
As the sky darkened I set off for some cruising and in short order came upon a subadult Glossy Snake (Arizona elegans) in the middle of the road.

 
With a quick start things were certainly looking up for the night and I focused on the lowest elevations where temperatures remained warm, but after three hours of driving only one more serpent appeared, a freshly hit Sidewinder. I finally turned in for the night at an isolated high desert campsite with an elevation of 4000 feet. The night was cold and sunrise shown on a thermometer reading of 39 degrees fahrenheit.
 
By 9:30AM it had warmed up enough to bring out some Great Basin Whiptails (Aspidoscelis t. tigris) as I made my way to some well known dunes for a long hike. One of these lizards crossed the road at such a speed that it got "big air" over the roadway berm.

 
I wandered along the interface between desert scrub and grass laced dunes looking for tracks in the sand and inspecting the base of shrubs for whatever might lurk. Luck struck again as my eye caught a subtle pattern in the dappled light of a creosote canopy. Another Red Coachwhip soaking up some morning rays. I guess if you look under enough bushes you're bound to find something interesting.

 

 
The snake remained almost motionless, only turning its head to follow my movements as I maneuvered about carefully trying to optimize my photo angle.

 
I let the snake be to continue searching for tracks and animals but as hard as I tried I could find no sidewinder tracks, or snake tracks at all and wondered if maybe the nights had been to cold for any  
nocturnal activity. After the last night's chill that didn't surprise me, but I was suprised that I could not find a single Desert Tortoise when conditions seemed ideal, although I did find several burrows and finally one long track.
 
As always amongst these dunes, Mojave Fringe-toed Lizards (Uma scoparia) shoot like little golden rockets across the sand to disappear into the scrub. I enjoy little luck with this species and rarely get a half decent looks, even through my binoculars. A few Zebra-tailed Lizards (Callisaurus draconoides) behaved accordingly.
 
The latter portion of my hike remained uneventful but given my incredible luck in finding the Coachwhip my spirits remained high and my enthusiasm undimished. Then, just prior to reaching my truck, I flushed a very large white lizard which scrambled to the nearest creosote, but rather than disappearing down a hole, remained motionless, inviting me to stalk. Much to my surprise it proved highly cooperative, posing patiently several times within range of my lens. And even better, a high cloud cover advanced to filter the harsh sunlight! All morning I had been hoping just to see one of these beautiful lizards and now I was enjoying a superb photo opportunity!
 
Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus d. dorsalis)

 

 

 
Temperatures remained mild so I decided to spend most of the day's remainder road cruising and checking out some areas I hadn't seen before. Traffic was unusually heavy this weekend and hardly a lizard was seen crossing the road. Never the less I expected that I might find a Gopher Snake and I did, but I was too late and was left with only its mangled carcass. Pity! How could someone not see and avoid a four foot snake on the bare pavement in broad daylight? But then, perhaps in fact they had seen it, a very disturbing notion indeed.
 
Late afternoon found me on a rocky hillside inspecting nooks and crannies, hoping for a Speckled Rattlesnake but all I found was welcome solitude and grand vistas.

 

 
Again back on the road I soon happened upon another unfortunate snake, a once beautiful Sidewinder, still alive but only by reflex. It was 6:15PM and this was the first time I'd ever found this nocturnal species on the road during daylight, bolstering my suspicion that overnight temperatures were not quite yet conducive to nocturnal activity. Then again, just prior to dark I found a freshly killed Mojave Rattlesnake, possibly hit by a car I had let pass not long before. I cruised on into darkness for a couple more hours until temperatures fell well below optimal, then called it a day.
 
I camped at a much lower elevation this night and awoke to warmer conditions which encouraged me to set out cruising for some morning action hoping that the sharp desert sun and rapidly rising temperatures would bring out some early morning baskers, most likely Mojave Rattlesnakes or Gopher Snakes, the latter highest on my list to see.
 
The Sunday morning road was free of traffic and I was enjoying the warm sun and a stout cup of camp stove coffee, but little else. Then well ahead the unmistakable form of a large snake hit me like a sock on the jaw! I had been visualizing just such a sight and there it was, my first eastern Mojave Great Basin Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer deserticola), and a feisty one at that.
 

 
Wake up call! I love the sound of "pits" hissing in the morning.

 
Some more cruising, then a little lunch break and I was off to a rocky area for more "speck-ulation". But first I had to stop for another snake in the road, holding its head six inches off the ground! By the time I stopped the truck it was off, so fast I couldn't be sure just which of two possibilities it was, another Coachwhip or maybe a Patch-nosed Snake. The speedster disappeard into a shadscale bush and down small hole. I did my best to flush it out, hoping mostly just to see what it was with little hope of actually catching it. Finally it made a break then was gone in a flash. The short look proved it to be a smallish, three foot class Coachwhip. I love the way they flow - like mercury shot out of a firehose. This alert species is well among my most favorite.
 

 
Ok, got that. But I actually heard it clammbering up the rocky hillside before I saw it. And it was jamming! I never knew they could move so fast.
 

 
Look at it go!

 
This Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) was huge, probably a 14 inch carapace, and maybe even older than me! Such a splendid old beast.

 
My next suprise was neither animal or vegetable, but more of mineral. According to one local, this area had received an unusual amount of rain this season and perhaps this little spring testament to that. Do you see the Speckled Rattlesnake in this picture?

 
...neither do I;-) But I did spend some quality time trying and I'm sure that one day I'll find one or two here, if only by divine providence.
 
But I did see some more of these, still one of my favorite lizards and they always provide a nice stalking challenge.

 
After hours of careful searching and boulder hopping, with weary eyes and aching feet, I headed back to my truck and a cold beverage.

 
So, another great adventure in the eastern Mojave. The activity overall was down along with the early Spring temps but luck was with me and I enjoyed some high quality experiences to reflect upon during my long drive home. I can't wait to get back as soon as the season warms and the nights come alive.