Northeastern Argus Mountains

The Panamint Valley has the most Creosote Bush Scrub species. The slopes of the Argus Mountains provide a good habitat for species restricted to rocky Creosote Bush Scrub. Darwin Falls (Fig. 10.10) has an extensive riparian-vegetated area.

All species covered in the southern Owens Valley account occur here (except the Great Basin Spadefoot, Spea intermontana ) and are found in a similar manner. Additional species are discussed in the following list.

Amphibians

Western Toad (Bufo boreas ). Mostly nocturnal but also diurnal; occurs in riparian areas at Darwin Falls; hybridizes with the Red-spotted Toad (Bufo punctatus ).

Red-spotted Toad (Bufo punctatus ). Nocturnal; breeds in pools in Darwin Canyon; hides during the day in rodent burrows or under rocks; hybridizes with the Western Toad (Bufo boreas ).

Figure 10.10
Darwin Falls, northeastern Argus Mountains.

Snakes

Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata ). Nocturnal; diurnal in late evening and morning during spring; during midsummer nocturnal only; in rocky areas to 5,000 ft (1,520 m).

Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake (Phyllorhynchus decurtatus ). Nocturnal; usually present in sandy or gravelly places.

Lyre Snake (Trimorphodon biscutatus ). Nocturnal; in rocky areas to 5,000 ft (1,520 m).