Been knocking in Tustin the last week or so and been seeing a ton of whiptails. Not used to seeing much outside of fence lizards being from VC. Finally googled them to confirm what I was looking at and noticed the Sonoran Spotted Whiptail has been introduced specifically to this area somehow. California Herp's map has the tiniest dot marked within OC for them. I will make it my secondary task for the day to get a good pic of one. They seem impossible to catch without a trap or some misting.
https://californiaherps.com/lizards/pages/a.sonorae.html
Also noted there were chameleons introduced to Laguna and Morro Bay and they've sustained themselves for a while. Gotta make a hike in Laguna to spot one of them.
: jrodda May 18, 2023, 03:00:10 p
Been knocking in Tustin the last week or so and been seeing a ton of whiptails. Not used to seeing much outside of fence lizards being from VC. Finally googled them to confirm what I was looking at and noticed the Sonoran Spotted Whiptail has been introduced specifically to this area somehow. California Herp's map has the tiniest dot marked within OC for them. I will make it my secondary task for the day to get a good pic of one. They seem impossible to catch without a trap or some misting.
https://californiaherps.com/lizards/pages/a.sonorae.html
Also noted there were chameleons introduced to Laguna and Morro Bay and they've sustained themselves for a while. Gotta make a hike in Laguna to spot one of them.
Nice catch! Back when I was working at the animal park, I would make a noose at the end of long thin twig or heavy stiff grass and rope them from like 4 feet away. Not easy, but I've caught a few whiptails and other lizards that way. I hope you catch some.
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=L5oCDecQ&id=E2FA55E8DE4798FABB1D3C42B72AF0A48443AB89&thid=OIP.L5oCDecQr0hjz_TeQP1KRwHaEK&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fi.ytimg.com%2fvi%2fUKqGtcz4qOw%2fmaxresdefault.jpg&cdnurl=https%3a%2f%2fth.bing.com%2fth%2fid%2fR.2f9a020de710af4863cff4de40fd4a47%3frik%3diatDhKTwKrdCPA%26pid%3dImgRaw%26r%3d0&exph=720&expw=1280&q=catching+lizards+%2b+noose+rig&simid=608040483380402358&FORM=IRPRST&ck=9B198F134C07A7BC22B0B56F07AA6EE5&selectedIndex=60&adlt=STRICT&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0
Very cool Jeremy!
I used to do the same thing Tom, only I'd use a lasso of dental floss on the end of a fishing pole.
Haven't been able to catch one but got a very clear visual on the back. Definitely the sonoran spotted whiptail vs the other indigenous species.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52937242312_124d0dabfd_b.jpg)
Just when I thought I saw it all, 'Lassoing' lizards?????
: vdisney May 31, 2023, 03:44:32 p
Just when I thought I saw it all, 'Lassoing' lizards?????
It's fishing for lizards! I was taught this trick back in my herpetology class in college. I couldn't believe when I saw it work for the first time! lol
Nice one Jeremy!
Them lizards are all over the place up here in Valley Center, kids catch them all the time and the dog too, unfortunately. Cool to have them around 8)