Leaping Lizards on Isla Santa Catalina
This week the Sea Lion has been blessed with the company of Dr. Brad Hollingsworth, Curator of Herpetology at the San Diego Natural History Museum. Dr. Hollingsworth is a leading specialist of the reptiles of Baja California and its associated islands, but many of us on board have come to know that he is really a big kid in adult guise when it comes to the lizards and snakes to be found on the offshore islands within the Gulf of California.
This morning was certainly no different. Upon landing on Isla Santa Catalina, Dr. Hollingsworth immediately set out with child-like glee to find some of the endemic reptiles living on this island. Some of his quarry had intimidating names like the Santa Catalina rattleless rattlesnake (Crotalus catalinensis), the Santa Catalina desert iguana (Dipsosaurus catalinensis), and the emerald-green tailed Santa Catalina side-blotched lizard (Uta squamata).
Early morning temperature and conditions were perfect for lizard and snake hunting, and after only a short time ashore Dr. Hollingsworth had found, caught, or confirmed 7 of the 10 species of reptile known to inhabit the island. Dr. Hollingsworth shared his youthful enthusiasm as he regaled us with stories and anecdotes about the fascinating life histories of these amazing island species.
Our afternoon brought the wonder of fin whales as we sailed the calm waters of San Jose Channel. Time and again these animals, the second largest creature on planet Earth, surfaced beside the Sea Lion to the delight of all aboard. Our day was complete with a visit from bottlenose dolphins just as the sun sank behind the Baja peninsula. Pure magic here in Mexico!
This week the Sea Lion has been blessed with the company of Dr. Brad Hollingsworth, Curator of Herpetology at the San Diego Natural History Museum. Dr. Hollingsworth is a leading specialist of the reptiles of Baja California and its associated islands, but many of us on board have come to know that he is really a big kid in adult guise when it comes to the lizards and snakes to be found on the offshore islands within the Gulf of California.
This morning was certainly no different. Upon landing on Isla Santa Catalina, Dr. Hollingsworth immediately set out with child-like glee to find some of the endemic reptiles living on this island. Some of his quarry had intimidating names like the Santa Catalina rattleless rattlesnake (Crotalus catalinensis), the Santa Catalina desert iguana (Dipsosaurus catalinensis), and the emerald-green tailed Santa Catalina side-blotched lizard (Uta squamata).
Early morning temperature and conditions were perfect for lizard and snake hunting, and after only a short time ashore Dr. Hollingsworth had found, caught, or confirmed 7 of the 10 species of reptile known to inhabit the island. Dr. Hollingsworth shared his youthful enthusiasm as he regaled us with stories and anecdotes about the fascinating life histories of these amazing island species.
Our afternoon brought the wonder of fin whales as we sailed the calm waters of San Jose Channel. Time and again these animals, the second largest creature on planet Earth, surfaced beside the Sea Lion to the delight of all aboard. Our day was complete with a visit from bottlenose dolphins just as the sun sank behind the Baja peninsula. Pure magic here in Mexico!
