During my employment here at Redwood National and State Parks, I have had countless opportunities to discover all kinds of herps in the field. I have already posted my garter discoveries so far, and I hope to have more soon after our coming 5-day camping trip (atratus hydrophilus!).

Here, however, I have decided to contribute a couple of other regulars I often stumble upon out on the prairies: Pituophis c. catenifer and Coluber constrictor mormon; the Pacific Gopher Snake and the Western Yellow-bellied Racer...

Different shades of brown colors seem to be the norm up in the Bald Hills. Mountain and Coast Garters, Northwesterns, Racers, Gophers, and Rubber Boas all are well disguised amidts the prairie grasses, oaks, and douglas firs. Gopher Snakes here often have subdued patterns and look rather bland.


P. c. catenifer (subdued pattern) Hiouchi Flat, RNSP
(Del Norte County) April 21, 2009



"gnarly ol' dude" - Lower Airstrip Prairie, Bald Hills, RNSP (Humboldt County) June 8, 2009



juvenile P. c. catenifer - Upper Coyote Creek Prairie, Bald Hills, RNSP
(Humboldt County) June 17, 2009





"Beauty!" - Upper Coyote Creek Prairie, Bald Hills, RNSP
(Humboldt County) June 24, 2009