Archives: Wildlife & Plants

The most ubiquitous of California’s native cervids (i.e. members the family that include deer, elk, moose, and similar animals), mule deer are a common sight in and around the Los padres National Forest. These common native mammals play an important role in a variety of local ecosystems. Distribution Mule deer can be distinguished from their…

Though it may sound a bit spooky, there’s nothing to fear about this small snake—that is unless you’re a lizard or other small tasty critter. Usually only about a foot long (though it can grow up to 26 inches in length), this slender and unique species can be found throughout much of California, including the…

The Cirsium genus is the most diverse thistle genus in North America and one of the continent’s evolutionary success stories. Many of these native thistle species are endemic and bound to a specific ecological region, with the Cuesta Ridge thistle being no exception. This species is a recognized variety of the Cobweb thistle (Cirsium occidentale),…

Despite the odd name, Crotch’s bumblebee is a fascinating pollinator.

The golden eagle is one of the largest, fastest raptors in North America. Its brilliant golden feathers, cunning intelligence, powerful stance, and fierce tactics make it the most common official national animal in the world. It has claimed its place as the symbol of Germany, Austria, Mexico, Kazakhstan, and Albania.  Golden eagles can see 5…

The California newt is part of the Salamandriae family that consists of true newts and salamanders. It’s scientific name, Taricha torosa, characterizes this species as “full of muscle” and “fleshy”. This speaks to the newt’s stocky appearance and its rough, grainy skin that varies in color from yellowish-brown, dark brown, and reddish brown on it’s…

The most common shrub west of the Sierra Nevada, chamise is the backbone of the chaparral—a shrubland ecosystem that dominates much of the central and south coasts. While it may be ubiquitous in the Los Padres National Forest and elsewhere throughout the state, there’s a lot that makes this plant unique. Distribution Chamise is the…

Batrachoseps minor Description The lesser slender salamander is a member of the Plethodontidae family, which includes species considered to be “lungless salamanders.” Salamanders of this family do not breathe through their lungs, rather they control respiration through their skin, as well as with the tissues lining their mouths. Because of their unique way of breathing,…

Of all the 110 species of pine around the world, only one has needles (leaves) attached individually to its stems: the aptly-named singleleaf pinyon pine. Every other species has needles occurring in bundles of two, three, or five. This unique pine also happens to have some of the largest and tastiest pine nuts in the…

Corvus corax The common raven is the largest perching bird in the world, with a wingspan of up to two feet. It is found throughout the northern hemisphere—including across California—and is the inspiration for countless characters in mythologies from a wide range of cultures. Ravens vs Crows While they look quite similar, ravens and crows…

Cynipidae Family If you’ve ever noticed strange fruit-like appendages hanging from stems or leaves—particularly those of various oak species—while exploring the Los Padres National Forest, there’s a good chance that you were looking at a gall. No, they’re not cancerous or signs of some other disease on a shrub or tree. These benign growths are…

Swainson’s hawks are relatively small for buteos, a group of hawk species that are typically large, broad-winged, and short-tailed. They’re a little larger than a Cooper’s hawk and a bit smaller than a ferruginous hawk. These social birds of prey are usually seen in soaring groups or in and around grassland areas, but you may…