
Reptiles and Amphibians on Albany Hill
observed by David Wake
In the short time David Wake made observations on the hill over 20 years ago he found the following list of herps (vernacular term for reptiles and amphibians), but he believes more species are found there (see additional observations below).
Aneides lugubris | Arboreal Salamander |
Batrachoseps attenuatus | California Slender Salamander |
Diadophis punctatus | Ringneck Snake |
Elgaria multicarinata | Southern Alligator Lizard |
Ensatina eschscholtzii xanthoptica | Yellow-Eyed Ensatina |
Pituophis melanoleucus | Gopher Snake |
Margot Cunningham observed 2 other herps in 2015:
Pseudacris regilla | Pacific Treefrog |
Sceloporus occidentalis | Western Fence Lizard |
And historical records from the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology Herpetological Collection- UC Berkeley show other herps that lived on the hill in the past:
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Coluber constrictor (Racer) collected on the west side of the hill in 1936
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Emys marmorata (Western Pond Turtle) collected 200 yards north of Cerrito Creek in 1934
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Phrynosoma coronatum (Coast Horned Lizard) collected 200 yards north of Cerrito Creek in 1939
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Thamnophis elegans (Western Terrestrial Garter Snake) collected on the hill in 1967. These snakes survive in neighborhoods surrounding the hill, including in Richmond Annex just north of the hill, so they most likely still live on the hill.