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Northern California
hosts a diverse array of amphibians and reptiles. For the purpose
of this webpage, northern California represents counties north of
the 38º parallel, or north of the cities of San Francisco, Stockton
and Sonora. The species encountered here exist in a myriad of habitats,
from large river systems to headwater streams, from coastal ponds
to high elevation lakes, under logs and rocks or basking in open sun.
You may encounter these animals in your travels and this webpage may
assist you in identification of which species you have seen. |
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The study
of amphibians and reptiles is called herpetology, and amphibians and
reptiles are often collectively referred to as "herps".
Many species are facing challenges to their existence due to several
human-made problems. These include, but are not limited to: Loss of
habitat; increase risk from exotic species; emerging diseases, exposure
to contaminants; illegal collection for trade or food consumption;
and exposure to increased levels of ultra-violet radiation attributed
to thinning ozone layers. There may even be interactions between these
problems that have a synergistic effect on amphibians and reptiles
(e.g. exposure to pesticides may decrease immune functions and make
species more susceptible to disease outbreaks). Being able to recognize
what species of herps you have in your area is the first step in considering
conservation measures to protect this unique group of animals. |
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Click
on any of the links below to view the full-sized image
Please Note: This is not a comprehensive list of
northern California species. |
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Last updated:
October 30, 2008
