Searching for the Elusive Arroyo Toad

 Southern California’s wildlife has had to endure some tough times these past few decades.  Although most species native to this harsh climate have amazing adaptation skills, the unfortunate events of fires, floods and droughts have been pushing them to their limits. . .or even extinction.  

With a head lamp and record chart in hand, I had the unique opportunity to join Bruce Edley, a California State Park’s  Environmental Science Intern,  to do my first night survey for the elusive, and endangered, Arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus).  Unfortunately we did not find any A. californicus, but we did find a few common desert species such as the California toad (Bufo boreas halophilus), a Granite Night Lizard (Xantusia henshawi), and many young Pacific Treefrogs (Psuedacris regilla).

A juvenile Pacific Tree frog (P. regilla) that just underwent metamorphosis
Photo credit: Mallory Lindsay

Newly transitioned Pacific Tree Frog
Photo credit: Mallory Lindsay

Granite Night Lizard (X. henshawi)
Photo credit: Mallory Lindsay

California Toad (B. b. halophilus)
Photo credit: Mallory Lindsay

According to the US Fish and Wildlife Department , “the Arroyo Toad is a relatively small (2-3 inches snout-vent length) toad. Its coloration ranges from olive green or gray to light brown. It can be distinguished from other toads by non-paired, symmetrical dorsal blotches, bicolored parotid glands that are dark posteriorly and light anteriorly as well as a light spot on the sacral humps. A prominent white "v-shaped" stripe crosses the top of the head between the eyes. It lacks a middorsal stripe. The belly is buff-white and often lacks spots. Locomotion is generally in the form of hopping as opposed to walking or taking large jumps.”

Image of an endangered Arroyo toad (A. californicus)
Photo Credit:Rorabaugh

Unfortunately due to habitat degradation and catastrophic events (fire, flood, drought, etc), this small amphibian is declining in numbers in certain regions of southern California.  Their pickiness of breeding sights is also their demise.  Females prefer shallow, slow moving water with shallow sloping sandy bank.  If any of these conditions are less than perfect, females will not lay eggs, but will wait for better conditions.  As a result, there are no prodigy to replenish the lost numbers due to predation, road fatalities and age.  

As of late 2014, the US Fish and Wildlife are in the final "comment stages" of reclassifying the Arroyo toad from endangered to threatened.  There are many mixed feelings on this subject that are causing quite the controversy between the food providers of this country and the environmentalists.  In 1994, a $3.3 million dollar plan was implemented to protect the Arroyo toad and its habitat.  This endeavor prevented any land deemed as "Arroyo toad habitat" to be used for mining, agriculture, grazing, etc in order to re-establish the declining amphibian's population. Although seemingly successful for over a decade, the Arroyo toad has been in decline in recent years due to natural disasters in the San Diego area. So what do we do?  Do we continue investing more money to save this species. . .or allow the land to be utilized to provide food for the country?

That is a question that each one of us need to ask ourselves.  Our actions reflect wildlife in so many ways.  To say, "stop eating this animal" or "do not touch this habitat" is easy, but what about those that it effects when that happens.  In the US, we are quite spoiled and could easily cut down on many of our daily consumptions; however, in many countries that is not so easy.  Many survive ( and provide for their families) completely off of hunting and trapping animals that are becoming endangered due to habitat loss, not overhunting.  Do we tell them they just have to figure something else out because the animal they have been hunting for hundreds of years is now at wrist of extinction due to politics and greed?  

Just food for thought before one starts judging another's opinion.  There are always two sides to an argument. Please do not just trust the loudest voice. Do your research.    

**Amphibians are like the “miner’s canaries” of the environment.  They are the first to be effected when pollution, invasive species, or some catastrophe enters into an ecosystem.  It is crucial to protect these animals and their environment as their conditions foreshadow our possible future. **

Until next time, this is Ms. Mallory inviting you to. . .

Join me on Facebook, youtube, and instagram @Ms.MalloryAdventures

    

Tracking San Diego's Wildlife

Photo credit: Unknown 

Do you enjoy puzzles?  The outdoors?  Learning about wildlife?  

Then a tracking class may be right up your alley.  Although I am a San Diego native, it had been almost a decade since I last submersed myself in the arid habitat and really did not know how to begin my journey back into this type of environment.  As many of you would concur, finding wildlife in Tennessee (especially when you live on a safari park) is a bit easier than when in the smoldering desert of San Diego County.

 So I decided to search the local parks services for some guidance.

Photo Credit: Coyote Wild Magazine

After doing some research, I found that my initial thought was not the case at all. Timing and clues are everything when searching for wildlife.  Many of Southern Califonia's animals are crepuscular (active at dusk and dawn) or nocturnal (active at night) to avoid the high temperatures during the day; ergo, searching in the early morning, or evening, would be a better time to try to see some furry natives.  

These hours are not always possible for the busy person, so how can one experience wildlife midday?  If one is willing to take a different approach, then the experience can be even more exciting than catching a glimpse of the animal with your own eyes. 

 

Casts of native animal tracks
Photo credit: Mallory Lindsay

Cast demonstrations on garden soil to show different characteristics.
Photo credit: Mallory Lindsay

Comparing feline and canid prints during classroom portion
Photo credit: Mallory Lindsay

Last Saturday I decided to enroll in San Diego's Tracking Team's free tracking seminar. It was very easy to sign up for and did I mention it was FREE!!  There were people from all walks of life: children, park rangers, teachers, hikers, first daters, and even those that just wanted to learn more about their wildlife neighbors. The class lasted 7 hours, which included a classroom portion to teach the basic fundamentals of wildlife tracking and a field portion that put our newly formed knowledge to the test. No experience are supplies were needed (although I would recommend a notebook to write tips in).

San Diego Tracking team instructor taking class to a nearby wildlife corridor where numerous tracks can be found.
Photo Credit: Mallory Lindsay

Instructor places flags besides tracks for students to yes their  newly attained knowledge.
Photo Credit: Mallory Lindsay

Instructor collaborates with students to identify non fully formed prints and find other clues to lead to animal identification.
Photo Credit: Mallory Lindsay

After the seminar was over, the instructors welcomely invited the participants to sign up for wildlife surveys that would be conducted throughout the remainder of the year.  The surveys aided in ongoing research of population demographics and wildlife corridor (passageways under highways and such that connect habitats) traffic.  

Passageways under freeways make ideal wildlife corridors to allow wildlife to investigate
new territories without the threat of road fatalities.
A great place to practice tracking skills.
Photo Credit: Mallory Lindsay

Bobcat tracks
Photo Credit: Mallory Lindsay

Since my class, my thirst to learn more about tracking and wildlife behavior seems to be unquenchable.  My morning hikes/walks are greeted with a new puzzles and stories each day.  Where was this coyote heading?  Why is did this raccoon sitting by the river's edge only eat a portion of his crawfish?  Did something scare him?  I wonder if this bobcat that was trailing a rabbit eventually caught him?  

So many intriguing questions.

The prints of a raccoon are typically a "2 for 1."
A back foot typically overlays the front print when walking.  
Photo Credit: Mallory Lindsay

In today's busy world it is hard to stay connected with nature.  Make time.  Get the family involved and make it a new tradition.  

Contact your local park services and see what they offer. If they do not offer any classes, ask how many people would be needed to get a guide to show you around and teach you a bit about the park and its inhabitants.  Maybe you will be the spark that makes a difference to help jumpstart a program? 

Until next time, this is Ms. Mallory inviting you to. . .

Join me on Facebook, youtube, and instagram @Ms.MalloryAdventures

Mission Beach Post Celebration Clean Up

Richard, Ms. Mallory, Rainie, Bailey, and Karlie collected over 28 pounds of trash in just 2 hours.

Now That is a Ton of Trash

The beaches were packed to the gills with proud Americans celebrating the  Independence of our country on the 4th of July; however, when the crowds dispersed, their trash was left behind.  I Love a Clean San Diego and the Surfrider Foundation foresaw this giant mess and organized a post 4th of July cleanup to counter the huge masses.  Hundreds of volunteers came to support the event and did an unbelievable job in clearing the litter lined picnic areas and parking lots.  

Photo Credit: Mallory Lindsay

Photo Credit: Mallory Lindsay

According to the Surfrider Foundation that was managing the census of four cleanups at popular beach sites, over 2,140 pounds of trash and 388 pounds of recyclable material was prevented from entering the ocean!!  Their MORNING AFTER MESS press release stated, "Few holidays generate more trash on San Diego County beaches than the Fourth of July. Sadly, much of this litter is made up of plastic, which exacerbates an already critical pollution problem devastating marine life in the world’s oceans. This year’s Morning After Mess recovered 953 plastic bags, 1,483 pieces of Styrofoam and 21,007 cigarette butts." 

For the entire press release, click here.

Much of the trash that enters the oceans come from many miles inland and make its way to the ocean through storm drains and waterways. 

Not near an ocean?  You can still make a difference by organizing a park or community cleanup and keep the litter from entering streams and other ecosystems. 

Photo Credit: Mallory Lindsay

Visit www.ilacsd.org to volunteer or ways to create your own cleanup event.

Again this is Ms. Mallory inviting you to. . . 

Visit my Facebook page and Instagram for more fun facts, videos, and ways you can make a difference for wildlife.