Queen Valley and Northern White Mountains

The floor of Queen Valley, at an elevation of about 6,000 ft (1,830 m), is covered with typical Great Basin Scrub vegetation (Fig. 10.9). On the southeast side of the valley, Pinyon-juniper Woodland starts on the slopes of the White Mountains at an elevation of 6,800 ft (2,070 m). Springs with dense riparian vegetation are present in Queen and Buffalo canyons.

Amphibians

Western Toad (Bufo boreas ). Both nocturnal and diurnal; occurs in riparian areas in Queen and Buffalo canyons.

Great Basin Spadefoot (Spea intermontana ). Nocturnal; breeds in temporary pools; occasionally seen on roads at night during and after rains.

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Figure 10.9
Queen Valley and northern White Mountains.

Lizards

Zebra-tailed Lizard (Callisaurus draconoides ). Diurnal; expected in sandy and gravelly areas below Pinyon-juniper Woodland.

Great Basin Collard Lizard (Crotaphytus bicinctores ). Diurnal; occurs in rocky areas below about 6,500 ft (1,980 m).

Long-nosed Leopard Lizard (Gambeila wislizenii ). Diurnal; basks on small rocks and under bushes; rare on rocky slopes.

Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos ). Diurnal; most common in sandy areas; not present above 7,000 ft (2,130 m).

Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus graciosus ). Diurnal; common in Pinyon-juniper Woodland.

Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister ). Diurnal; occurs in rocky slopes and around large bushes below 7,000 ft (2,130 m).

Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis ). Diurnal; commonly seen basking on rocks and logs in Pinyon-juniper Woodland; may climb trees to escape when approached.

Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana ). Diurnal; most common in sandy areas on valley floor; absent above 7,000 ft (2,130 m).

Western Skink (Eumeces skiltonianus ). Diurnal but secretive; not confirmed but expected in canyons draining the White Mountains.

Western Whiptail (Cnemidophorus tigris ). Diurnal; occurs up to about 7,500 ft (2,290 m); most common in Great Basin Scrub areas.

Snakes

Night Snake (Hypsiglena torquata ). Nocturnal; expected in rocky foothills below 6,500 ft (1,980 m).

Common Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula ). Nocturnal during summer, diurnal during spring and fall; occurs in all habitats below about 7,500 ft (2,290 m).

Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum ). Diurnal; expected on valley floor; usually absent above 6,000 ft (1,830 m).

Striped Whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus ). Diurnal; occurs from valley floor well into Pinyon-juniper Woodland in the foothills.

Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer ). Both nocturnal and diurnal; occurs in all habitats below about 8,000 ft (2,440 m).

Long-nosed Snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei ). Nocturnal; expected in sandy areas on valley floor up to about 6,000 ft (1,830 m).

Western Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora hexalepis ). Diurnal; most common in sandy areas on valley floor; not expected above 6,500 ft (1,980 m).

Ground Snake (Sonora semiannulata ). Nocturnal; active in the early evening; expected in rocky areas up to about 6,000 ft (1,830 m).

Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis ). Both nocturnal and diurnal; present on valley floor; expected in foothills.