fence lizard - Version 2 (1)
Fence lizard on eucalyptus tree, top of Albany Hill;photo by Pierre La Plant

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:

  1. Coluber constrictor (Racer) collected on the west side of the hill in 1936

  2. Emys marmorata (Western Pond Turtle) collected 200 yards north of Cerrito Creek in 1934

  3. Phrynosoma coronatum (Coast Horned Lizard) collected 200 yards north of Cerrito Creek in 1939

  4. 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.