The Biophilia Group

04/27/2025

The coast horned lizard (Phrynosoma blainvillii) has a widespread distribution in California and can be found in a variety of habitats where sandy soils, sparse vegetation, and native ants exist. Despite this species' extensive range, coast horned lizard populations have declined in much of their historic range. The main threat is loss of habitat and food sources. Natural areas where lizards used to live have been conveted to agriculture or urban landscapes, and the invasive Argentine ant displaces native ant species that horned lizards depend on. Due to the decline in coast horned lizard populations, this species is designated as special concern and is afforded some levels of protection.

04/25/2025

The coast horned lizard (Phrynosoma blainvillii) has a widespread distribution in California and can be found in a variety of habitats where sandy soils, sparse vegetation, and native ants exist. Despite this species' extensive range, coast horned lizard populations have declined in much of their historic range. The main threat is loss of habitat and food sources. Natural areas where lizards used to live have been conveted to agriculture or urban landscapes, and the invasive Argentine ant displaces native ant species that horned lizards depend on. Due to the decline in coast horned lizard populations, this species is designated as special concern and is afforded some levels of protection.

03/16/2024

Couch's spadefoot (Scaphiopus couchii) is an amphibian native to the southwestern regions of the United States down to Baja California and into Mexico. This species has a limited range in southern California, where this individual was found.

S. couchii are particularly well-suited to life in hot, arid environments because of their unique behavioral adaptations. They are mainly active at night when temperatures drop, coming out during cooler temperatures and high humidity. They spend most of their lives underground, only emerging during a few months out of the year when it rains! They breed in temporary pools of water and tadpoles metamorphose quickly to beat dropping water levels. Couch's spadefoot is listed as a California species of special concern.

01/24/2024

Great post by Sacramento Splash on wildlife and outdoor cats!

01/24/2024

Like most owls, great horned owls don't build their own nests but instead will use the nests of other birds (e.g. hawks, crows, herons). The same nest may be used for up to 30 years. In southern California, eggs are usually laid in February or March. While the female incubates, the male supplies her with food. Great horned owls are the most general in their habits of all the western owl species and are frequently encountered in human-altered landscapes. Care must be taken if you find yourself near an active great horned owl nest, as these birds are known to fiercely defend their nests in response to perceived threats, including humans. 📷

09/26/2023

The Biophilia Group has a new publication out in this month's issue of H**p Review! The known distribution of Western black-headed snakes in the Central Valley is spotty; this observation helps fill in the gap with the first vouchered specimen in Merced County.

06/02/2023

As biological consultants we are responsible for monitoring and protecting biological resources such as nesting birds and special-status wildlife species. Sometimes, the species of interest have conflicting agendas! For example, this week we watched a Swainson's hawk (state-threatened in CA) foraging when it flew a bit too close to an active raven nest. A dramatic aerial battle ensued, and the hawk finally retreated.

05/24/2023

The giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas) is a federally- and state-protected species found only in California. Giant garter snakes once occurred throughout much of California’s Central Valley, however the majority of their native habitat has been lost to agriculture and development. This season, The Biophilia Group is conducting surveys for giant gartersnakes on mitigation lands managed by Westervelt Ecological Services. The goal of these surveys is to determine abundance, demographics, habitat selection, and spatial distribution of giant gartersnakes within a particular site. The results of this monitoring will then be used to assess the effectiveness of management activities and identify potential adjustments that may be needed.

05/09/2023

The Mohave fringe-toed lizard (Uma scoparia), is a medium-sized, light colored lizard with small dark spots across its back. In California, these lizards can be found in hot, arid, and sandy regions of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. To be able to live in such harsh environments, fringe-toed lizards have evolved a unique suite of physical and behavioral adaptations.

As its name suggests, the Mohave fringe-toed lizard has a unique fringe of scales along its hind toes that aid in locomotion in fine, loose sand. Additionally, these lizards possess a countersunk lower jaw, ear flaps, overlapping eyelids, and specialized nostrils – all adaptations for a life in the sand. Their skin coloration and markings help them blend into their environment. When threatened, these lizards will quickly run away and sometimes bury themselves completely in the sand.

The Mohave fringe-toed lizard is a species of special concern in California. Aside from the ubiquitous impacts of habitat loss, off-road recreational vehicle use is especially prevalent in the dune habitat these lizards live in.

11/28/2022

Northwestern pond turtles (Actinemys marmorata) are the only extant native freshwater turtle species in California. Once harvested extensively for food, pond turtles have subsequently suffered from widespread habitat loss, alteration, and fragmentation. Introduced species may also pose a threat through competition and predation. Northwestern pond turtles are state listed as species of special concern.

There are some features that can be used to distinguish adult male and female pond turtles. Male turtles typically have a flatter carapace, a concave plastron, longer tails, larger heads, and pale throats. Females generally have a more domed carapace, a flat plastron, shorter tails, smaller heads, and darker colored throats. In this photo, the male is on the left, and the female is on the right.

10/26/2022

This day marked a big milestone in the Lookout Slough Tidal Restoration project that we've been working on. The Vogel Island breach was the first of many and it was exciting to see how quickly wildlife took advantage of the new habitat, even before revegetation has occurred. Check out the video below by Ecosystem Investment Partners!

Yesterday marked a notable milestone at our Lookout Slough project! The team successfully breached the first berm around Vogel Island to provide hydraulic and…

08/18/2022

The restoration project we've been working on was featured in Bay Nature magazine! Featuring some wildlife photos by Zach Cava.

Two landscapes stand divided by the hundred-year-old Yolo Bypass West Levee in Solano County.  To the south of the levee’s U shape, canals tangle toward the sprawling Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta, which teems with wildlife. North of the levee, former … Read more