Western Whiptail - Aspidoscelis tigris
Reptile and Amphibian Photography ~ Finding the beauty around us
California Striped Racer, Masticophis lateralis lateralis catches a Western Side Blotched Lizard, Uta stansburiana elegans, Whitaker Peak off I-5, California. I was photographing the lizard and was surprised as the Racer came jetting out of the bushes along the trail, head up 8" above the ground. Looks like the Side Blotched Lizard was surprised too. After a tussle for a couple of minutes the lizard escaped. The snake in hot pursuit. A bit further down the trail I found a lizard without a tail. Then a few minutes later I found another. It looks like the snake's plan was not to eat the lizard at all but to make a living off eating tails.
Original image 32.5 Mp - Cropped image 3132 x 2065 pixels
California Striped Racer, Masticophis lateralis lateralis, Western Side Blotched Lizard, Uta stansburiana elegans, Whitaker Peak, California
Original image 32.5 Mp - Cropped image 2925 x 1997 pixels
California Striped Racer, Masticophis lateralis lateralis, Western Side Blotched Lizard, Uta stansburiana elegans, Whitaker Peak, California
Original image 32.5 Mp - Cropped image 2479 x 1818 pixels