The least likely thing we could have seen in Guatemala – The Torre de Guatel Arboreal Alligator Lizard. Spotted by the laser eyes of Jake Scott, moments after a discussion about how impossible this search was going to be.
Switak’s Banded Gecko that we found in Baja California Sur, Mexico. These are closely related to the Western Banded Geckos we’re all familiar with here in Arizona, with some notable differences. The most obvious being its larger size, this one about the size of a small mouse. When seen in this boulder field, they hop from rock to rock and disappear (or try to, anyway) or wag their tails in a defensive display.
1. Murray, S. S., Dugan, E. A., Clause, A. G., & Mills, A. M. (2024). Maximum size and mass of Switak’s Banded Gecko, Coleonyx switaki (Murphy, 1974). Herpetology Notes.
2. Lovich, R. E., Grismer, L. L., & Danemann, G. (2009). Conservation status of the herpetofauna of Baja California, México and associated islands in the Sea of Cortez and Pacific Ocean. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 4(3), 386–405.
3. Lemm, J. (2023). Field guide to amphibians and reptiles of the San Diego region. University of California Press.
One of the many large treefrogs one can find in the understory of the Peruvian Amazon on a night hike.
One of many Common South American Toads on the floor of the Amazon rainforest, each one a bit different in color, pattern, and even shape.
Central Baja California Banded Rock Lizard from … central Baja California, in the rocks.
A South American Bushmaster hiding in dense vegetation alongside a trail in Peru several years ago.
Yellow-Green Cat Snake with Nova Inventa on a trip to the Western Ghats in India, 2023.
Karnataka, India 2023
A young Fer De Lance in Peru. These snakes can appear anywhere and everywhere, so watching every step and hand fall is a must. I’m always happy to see one though.
