Griffith Park Reptilesand Amphibians

Daniel S. CooperCooper Ecological Monitoring, Inc.Los Angeles, Californiadan@cooperecological.com

February 2010

Why do we care?

Reptiles/Amphibians are integral parts of nature

Many are indicators of ecological integrity

Knowledge of natural systems brings understanding of earth, our relationship to earth

Understanding enriches our lives, like art, music, food, etc.; otherwise,why have more than one kind of anything?

Herptile diversity of Santa Monica Mountains

Entire range (n = 31)Newts/Salamanders (5)Frogs/Toads (4)Turtles (1)Lizards (7)Snakes (14)

Source: “Reptile and Amphibian Checklist for the Santa Monica Mtns. NRA” (undated)

In eastern Santa Monica Mtns. (n = 21)

Salamanders (4)Frogs/Toads (2)Lizards (6)Snakes (9) Source: Delisle et al. 1986

History of investigation into Griffith Park reptiles and amphibians

Earliest known collection (1911):

CAS 33184,5 Aneides lugubris “Arboreal Salamander” (2) CAS 33151-83 Batrachoseps nigriventris “Black-bellied Slender- salamander” (33)CAS 33186 Ensatina eschscholtzii “Monterey Salamander” (aka Ensatina)

Collector: E.C. Van Dyke Location: “On hills in Griffith Park”

Griffith Park reptile and amphibian specimens known from museum collections (16 spp.)

(as of 2009; most recent specimen: 1976)

Aneides lugubris Arboreal Salamander (4)Anniella pulchra Calif. Legless Lizard (2)Batrachoseps nigriventris/attenuatus Black-bellied Slender-salamander (66)Batrachoseps major/pacificus Garden Slender-salamander (2)Ensatina eschscholtzii Monterey Salamander/Ensatina (2)Hyla regilla Pacific Treefrog (1)Bufo boreas Western Toad (2)

Elgaria multicarinata Southern Alligator Lizard (2)Sceloporus occidentalis Western Fence-lizard (1)Uta stansburiana Side-blotched Lizard (1) Diadophus punctatus Ringneck Snake (2)Lampropeltis zonata Southern Calif. Mountain Kingsnake (1)Masticophus lateralis Striped Racer (2)Pituophis catenifer Gopher Snake (2)Salvadora hexalepis Coast Patchnose Snake (2)Thamnophis hammondii Two-striped Garter Snake (1)

History of investigation into Griffith Parkreptiles and amphibians

Only comprehensive publication: DeLisle et al. 1986“The Distribution and Present Status of the Herpetofauna of the Santa Monica Mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, California. Special publication No. 2 of the Southwestern Herpetoloist Soc., Dec. 1986”

DeLisle listedjust five species listed as specifically occurring in Park (ignored specimen data):

Western Fence-lizardSide-blotched lizardSouthern alligator lizardSilvery legless lizardCalifornia striped racer

This lack of information has contributed to historically low appreciation of park as natural area.

History of investigation into Griffith Parkreptiles and amphibians

“The Postfire Era”

Postfire Recovery Team convened after 2007 fire, which burned 800 acres.

Wildlife Team led by Daniel S. Cooper, Cooper Ecological Monitoring, Inc.

In partnership with USGS, initiated herptile surveys of Griffith Park in spring 2008, continuing through summer 2009.

Goals and Methods

How much of original species diversity is left?

What habitats are/were important for which species?

• Year-long trapping study (w/ USGS)• Opportunistic searches (after rain, on hot days)• Conversation/communication with rangers/hikers

2008 - 2009 Trapping

Drift fencing

Bucket

Snake trap

Opened/checked for 5 days every 4-6 weeks

“Herptile Array”

2008 - 2009 TrappingFive “arrays” placed in the park at Brush

Canyon (3), Royce Canyon (1) and Oak Canyon (1).

5-day trapping sessions in Apr., May, June, Aug. and Oct. 2008; Feb., Apr., May and July 2009

What have we found? - Salamanders

Species Traps Searches Other (recent)

Arboreal Salamander 0 1 (juvenile, Spring Cyn.)

0

Slender-Salamander sp. (TBD)

0 10+ 0

Monterey Ensatina 1 (adult, Brush Cyn.)

0 0

Western Toad 26 0 Sightings, photos

Pacific Treefrog 0 Many SightingsNo known records of California Newt, California Treefrogor Calif. Red-legged Frog (ever)

What have we found? - Lizards

Species Traps Searches Other (recent)

California Legless Lizard

0 0 0

Western Fence-lizard 32 100s Sightings, photos

Southern Alligator Lizard

32 5+ Sightings, photos

Coast Horned Lizard 0 3 (adj. to GP)

Sightings, photos

Side-blotched Lizard 0 0 0

Western Skink 1 1 Mathewson et al. 2008

Coastal Western Whiptail

3 10s Sightings, photos

No known records of Western Pond-Turtle

What have we found? - Snakes

Species Traps Searches Other (recent)

Ringneck Snake 3 0 Sightings, photos

California Kingsnake 0 0 Photo (2007)

Striped Racer 6 5+ Sightings, photos

Gopher Snake 1 0 Sightings, photos

Two-striped Garter Snake

0 0 1991 specimen from L.A. River

Western Rattlesnake 4 5+ Sightings, photos

Rosy Boa 0 0 1 captured 1990s

No records of Yellow-bellied Racer, Night Snake, Coachwhip, Black-headed Snake, Lyre Snake, Western Blind Snake

No modern records of So. Calif. Mountain Kingsnake or Coast Patchnose Snake

Most Common…

Western Fence-lizard Sceloporus occidentalis

Most Common…

Southern Alligator Lizard Elgaria multicarinata

Most Common…

Western Toad Bufo boreas

Most Common…

Striped racer Masticophis lateralis

Most Common…

Western Rattlesnake Crotalis viridis

Most Common…

Pacific Treefrog Hyla regilla

Specialized species…sandy/gravelly soil in open scrub, ridgetops

Western Whiptail Cnemidophorus tigris

Coast Horned Lizard Phrynosoma coronatum

Specialized species…oak-sycamore woodland (part I)

Ringneck Snake Diadophus punctatusSlender-salamander sp. Batrachoseps sp.

Specialized species…oak-sycamore woodland (part II)

Monterey Ensatina Ensatina eschscholtziii

Arboreal Salamander Aneides lugubris

Probably common (but few records)

California Kingsnake Lampropeltis getula

Western Skink Eumeces skiltonianus

Gopher Snake Pituophis catenifer(upper right)

Biggest mysteries (clockwise from upper left, next slide):

Southern Calif. Mountain Kingsnake Lampropeltis zonata

Old specimens; unconfirmed recent sightings; now rare in entire Santa Monica Mtns., but to be looked for in rocky areas, at outcrops or along stream.

California Legless Lizard Anniella pulchraOld specimens; unconfirmed sightings from adj.

properties; persists even in urbanized areas of L.A.

Two-striped Garter Snake Thamnophis hammondii1991 specimen from cement-sided Los Angeles

River vic. Glendale; possibly persists along LAR.

Rosy Boa Lichanura trivirgataSpecimen captured by L.A. Zoo staff along

northwestern edge of park, at rocky outcrop; only known record for SM Mtns.(?)

?

Considered Extirpated in Griffith Park(unless we learn otherwise!)

Side-blotched Lizard Uta stansburiana

Coast Patchnose SnakeSalvadora hexalepis

Both still persist in Verdugo, San Gabriel Mtns.

Thanks!

City of Los Angeles, Dept. of Recreation and Parks (including Albert Torres, Chief Ranger)

Franklin Hills Residents AssociationGreater Griffith Park Neighborhood CouncilSierra Club - Verdugo Hills Chapter