Thank you so much for being here!!!
For this special episode, we’re staying close to home and exploring two incredible creeping things found right here in Mariposa County, California: Hydromantes brunus, better known as the Limestone Salamander, & Sceloporus occidentalis, better known as the Western Fence Lizard!
We’ll dig into what makes each of these animals so unique, from the limestone salamander’s incredible ability to curl up and roll down steep slopes to escape danger, to the western fence lizard’s beautiful blue coloring, adorable push-ups, and surprising connection to Lyme disease research. We’ll also explore where they live, what they eat, and some of the fascinating adaptations that help them survive.
Although these two animals share the same county, their lives couldn’t be more different! One is a secretive salamander found only in a small region of Mariposa County, while the other is a familiar sight throughout much of the western United States. We’ll talk about their conservation status, the threats they face, and why protecting our local wildlife and their natural habitats is so important.
We’ll also share a personal story about rescuing western fence lizards from a trash can on our property, including one very special little lizard named Rango, and our efforts to get him the care he needs.
Sometimes we don’t have to travel across the world to discover extraordinary animals. They’re living right in our own backyards!
Want to actually see the animals we’re talking about?
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Thanks for creeping along with us!