Amphibians and Reptiles of the Burns Pinon Ridge Reserve

Class  Amphibia   

    There are no records for the Burns Reserve.  Although there is a small spring at the south end of the Reserve, it is too small to support amphibians.

Class  Reptilia

    Order Squamata, Suborder Sauria

        Banded Gecko                    Coleonyx variegatus
        Desert Iguana                    Dipsosaurus dorsalis
        Chuckawalla                       Sauromalus obesus
        Zebra-tailed Lizard            Callisaurus draconoides
        Desert Collared Lizard        Crotophytus insularis
        Sagebrush Lizard                Sceloporus grasiosus
        Western Fence Lizard          Sceloporus occidentalis
        Side-blotched Lizard            Uta stansburiana
        Coast Horned Lizard            Phrynosoma coronatum
        Desert Night Lizard               Xantusia vigilis
        Gilbert's Skink                       Eumeces gilberti
        Western Whiptail                   Cnemidophorus tigris

    Order Squamata, Suborder Ophida

        Rosy Boa                            Lichanura trivargata
        Coachwhip                         Masticophis flagellum
        California Whipsnake           Masticophis lateralis
        Gopher Snake                      Pituophis melanoleucus
        Common Kingsnake            Lampropeltis getulus
        Speckled Rattlesnake            Crotalus mitchelii

    Order Testudines

        Desert Tortoise                    Xerobates agassizii

Field Notes:  Sceloporus occidentalis and Uta stansburiana are the numerically dominant reptiles on the Reserve.  We have only seen single specimens of Phrynosoma coronatum and Xantusia vigilis.  It is likely that other species are also found on the Reserve but are also rare.  At least a dozen different individuals of Xerobates agassizii have been recorded in the northern 1/3 of the Reserve where we spend most of our time.  A recent addition to the list is Dipsosaurus dorsalis and Callisaurus draconoides.  Both were spotted at the lower edge of the Reserve near the spring.
        Another listing of Reptiles of the Burns Reserve is posted on the Burns Reserve website.

edited:  06 May 2007