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Drive to San Diego

desertanimal

desertanimal

2003 UB313
I went to pick up a car over the weekend, so we got off the freeway at dusk and did a little herping.

I moved this large guy just before a rig passed that spot, put him down on the shoulder, and he proceeded to rear and repeatedly strike at my legs (missing every time) as I backed away trying to get a photo. It was hilarious, but I wasn't able to get a photo. It was the most impressive bluffery I've ever seen from a gopher--including from the ones who turned out not to be bluffing!

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Little cerastes from a very sandy microhabitat.

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Little cerastes from a slightly more gravelly microhabitat.

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And another.

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Western shovel-nosed snakes! These guys were quite strong for their size. And so, so cute.

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Leaf-nosed snake.

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Cutest K-rat ever.

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Desert hairy scorpion.
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Now irritated.

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Finally got a picture of a jackrabbit. They do not like to stay around to have their photos taken.

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Tiny.

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These are probably common for everyone else, but not as much for me anymore.

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Those shovelnose snakes sure are pretty little things! I wonder if they're ever kept in captivity. I've certainly never seen one. And the leafnose snake is adorable :). I'd pass on that cricket and the scorpions, though. Those things freak me out!
 
So amazing! I am using your threads to try to convince the males in this house that we need to try out this field herping business! :D
 
DuneDiva said:
Where did you see all of these? We live here and have never been so lucky! :)
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Other than the frog, skink, and Jerusalem cricket, not in SD--down in the desert valley east of Jacumba, so a bit of a drive from you. A bit of research should turn up stuff nearer you, though. I just don't know what and where.

Nanci said:
How on earth do you catch a kangaroo rat??? Great pics!!
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This one involved both of us running around like idiots on the road until one of us (it) gave up. A caught a bigger one a few weeks back by sneaking up on it while it thought it was safe and nabbing it by the tail.

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BUT, I think my tail-catching days are over. Because I pinned the little one's tail down on the road, he jumped, it broke, he squeaked several times, I picked him up and discovered the broken tail, had to go ahead and finish it off so it wouldn't be an impediment to him, and I felt AWFUL for the rest of the night. Then posting over on the AZ herp site, someone said something about them being notorious for slipping their tails. So I think I'll see about getting a net. I've a friend who's caught them that way. Apparently if you have time, the ol' stick box works too.

Pobrecito. :awcrap: I really felt terrible. My mother-in-law commented on how much I talked about it/tried to reassure myself that he'd be ok without it all night.

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How lucky! I've been going out every morning and evening looking for critters and have found nothing! I can't believe my horrible luck. I always see things when I'm not looking for them...

I really think those mice are adorable! So is the rabbit!

I've never seen those leave nose snakes before. Really neat looking.

That cricket is freakin huge! I'd die if it hopped on me! I don't mind creepy crawlies as long as they are not on me. ;)
 
Awesome finds! Sucks about the k-rat's tail though. He should be okay without it.

Great pics! Im hoping to find some neat critters during my stay in AZ.
 
Irish Eyes (Mrs.Z) said:
Those shovelnose snakes sure are pretty little things! I wonder if they're ever kept in captivity. I've certainly never seen one. And the leafnose snake is adorable :). I'd pass on that cricket and the scorpions, though. Those things freak me out!
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I kept a shovelnose for quite some time, great little cricket eaters..
 
Those rattlers just naturally look PO'ed lol. Aw other than the head those could be Gerbils! I want one of those shovel noseds. Awesome and someone said they eat crickets? I do not see why they would do poorly in captivity if kept similarly to say a sand boa?
 
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