mulkanomics's Identifications

Observed a coast night snake (Hypsigiena ochrorhynchus) consuming a side-blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana) on the Grotto trail within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area on April 13. I first noticed the side-blotched lizard at 3:45 pm with its head in a burrow on the side of the trail, but when I tried to pick it up it became apparent something was holding on to its head. I stayed and watched as the night snake slowly emerged form the burrow to consume its prey over the course of 45 minutes. Once finished the night snake slithered off the trail into some low shrub cover. It was no more than 12 inches long.

Cedros Island night snake, Hypsiglena ochrorhyncha baueri. The location shown is approximate within about 1 km. I'll update it if I get more accurate information from the individual who collected this specimen. The photo was taken at a different location, and the specimen returned to the wild at the original location.