Today’s photos come from the western U.S. desert, and were taken and contributed by Charles Peterson. His notes are indented:
I work as a field biologist in the Mojave Desert, helping to keep the U.S. military in compliance with the Endangered Species Act. I got some nice shots over the past few days that I thought you might like (attached).
I was sitting in the shade of a creosote bush crossing the Ts on some paperwork when I looked up to see this desert kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) checking me out. I know you consider foxes to be honorary felines, and this may be the most feline of canids. As evidence I offer:
Exhibit A.:
Our local endangered (officially Threatened) species, in this case a grumpy-looking little subadult Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii):
A chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater, formerly obesus) in the hand. This is a tricolor-phase male, with the brick-red torso characteristic of some populations. I caught him because he was having difficulty with the fence you can see in the background.
After I let him go on the other side I saw the object of his efforts, this female. A nice example of sexual dimorphism in this largest Mojave lizard, a herbivore related to iguanas.
A beautiful gravid female long-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia wislizenii). The red coloration occurs only between ovulation and oviposition.
Finally, a game of Can You Spot the Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos)?
Great photos. I’ve spent a little time in the Mojave and never seen a fox. That must have been amazing.
Beautiful!
Are these then all endangered species except maybe the fox?
Only the tortoise is listed.
What a treat to see so many large reptiles!
For an instant, before I started reading, I thought the fox looked like some form of “chibi” coyote.
Good to see the reptiles getting a bit of attention. Foxes, of course, are a positive delight.
Great photos; much appreciated. Thanks!!
Lovely pics!
All excellent! I did see a fox much like that, for a brief, breathless instant, when driving down some back roads in Mexico many years ago. We looked at each other, and then it vanished.
I’ve done a great deal of field work on horned lizards, and that last picture is a reminder of just how difficult they are to find in the field. Endless days walking in the sun with your eyes on the ground.
Nice shoots. Love the desert kit fox equipped with the ears adapted for heat!
These are splendid, Charles. Thanks!