This was an unexpected find, a first for this area and really anywhere near it. Another herper we know, Jonathan Mills-Anderson, who has lived and herped this riparian canyon for many years, also has never seen one there. The only Whiptail usually encountered are Beldings.

The location is only about 2.5 miles from the ocean and the habitat is mostly grassland, though there is some chapparral on the steep hillsides. But this Whiptail was found in the grassy area on the far side of the creek, not in or anywhere near the chapparral, though there were some scrubs that may be chapparral plants, we are not sure. The habitat shot shows the general area, not the specific spot, in April of this year, hence the lush green and flowers.

As of today, this is one of only 5 Orange County A. tigris stejnegeri in the database, and the one found at the lowest elevation.