Numerous types of amphibians and reptiles live in the San Diego region. The area's proximity to both fresh water from streams and salt water from the Pacific Ocean makes it an ideal spot for many species. Others take advantage of the nearby desert conditions.
Salamanders
The arboreal salamander grows up to 4 inches in length. This type of salamander lives in wooded canyons, coastal oak forests or chaparrals. Garden slender salamanders have short limbs in contrast with their long bodies. Isolated areas such as coniferous forests are the most common place to find the salamanders. Monterey ensatina is a medium size salamander with a stout body. Coastal mountain areas like forests and rotting logs are the general habitat for the salamanders. The California newt grows upwards of 5 to 8 inches. Mountainous and coastal areas are commonly its home. This species is classified as a California Special Concern Species due to new predators such as mosquito fish.
Frogs And Toads
Arroyo toads exist in southern California streams with willow and sycamore trees. They have been a part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species List since 1994. Tree frogs such as the California tree frog and the Pacific tree frog are in San Diego. Other species in the area range from the Western spadefoot to the American bullfrog.
Lizards And Geckos
Lizards and geckos are classified as squamate reptiles due to their scaly covering. Several species of anguid lizards live in southern California, including the California legless lizard and the southern alligator lizard. The term anguid refers to lizard's preferred habitat of a hot climate. Crotaphytid lizards exist in desert climates and move swiftly. This family features the Baja California collared lizard, Cope's leopard lizard and the long nosed leopard lizard. Switak's banded geckos and the western banded geckos are in the category of eyelid geckos because of functioning eyelids. Their most active time is spring and they live in open areas with rocks.
Snakes
The Rosy Boa is a Federal Special Concern Species. Most live in sage scrub or deserts and are active at night. Colubrid snakes throughout the area include California mountain kingsnakes and gophersnakes. This classification of snake has a scaly covering as well as flexible jaws. Both snakes are non-venomous. Red diamond rattlesnakes, speckled rattlesnakes and sidewinders live in the southern California desert regions. These snakes are nocturnal during warmer weather periods.
Turtles And Tortoises
The Mojave Desert tortoise is the only land tortoise in the area, and the spiny softshell is the only softshell turtle. The Pacific pond turtle is a Federal Special Concern Species as well as a California Special Concern Species. Its home can be streams in addition to the coast. Green sea turtles, olive ridleys, loggerheads, leatherback sea turtles and snapping turtles all rely on the Pacific Ocean for habitat.
Tags: Concern Species, Special Concern, Special Concern Species, southern California, banded geckos, California Special