Deep Springs Valley
Most of the sandy floor of Deep Springs Valley is covered with Great Basin desert vegetation. The lowest point is about 5,000 ft (1,520 m) at Deep Springs Lake. At the southeastern edge of the valley, the flow from Deep Springs forms a marsh of a few acres around Deep Springs Valley (Fig. 10.13). The rocky foothills of the White-Inyo Range, which surround the valley, support stands of pinyon and juniper.
Amphibians
Black Toad (Bufo exsul ). Diurnal, becoming nocturnal during heat of summer; restricted to pools and marshes around springs.
Great Basin Spadefoot (Spea intermontana ). Nocturnal; breeds in pools; occasionally seen on road at night.
Figure 10.13
Deep Springs Valley
Lizards
Great Basin Collard Lizard (Crotaphytus bicinctores ). Diurnal; basks on boulders in foothills surrounding valley.
Long-nosed Leopard Lizard (Gambelia wislizenii ). Diurnal; basks on small rocks and under bushes; most common in sandy areas.
Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos ). Diurnal; common throughout the valley; commonly seen along the highway.
Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus graciosus ). Diurnal; absent from valley floor; occurs in Pinyon-juniper Woodland of foothills.
Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister ). Diurnal; occurs in rocky hills and around large bushes on valley floor.
Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis ). Diurnal; lives in rocky foothills; commonly seen basking on rocks along lower Wyman Canyon Road and along highway east of Deep Springs College.
Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana ). Diurnal; most common in sandy areas on valley floor.
Gilbert Skink (Eumeces gilberti ). Diurnal but secretive; rarely seen; appears to be restricted to the vicinity of springs.
Western Whiptail (Cnemidophorus tigris ). Diurnal; occurs throughout valley and surrounding foothills; very common around bushes on valley floor.
Snakes
Night Snake (Hypsiglena torquata ). Nocturnal; occurs in rocky foothills surrounding valley.
Common Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula ). Nocturnal during summer, diurnal during spring and fall; occurs in all habitats.
Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum ). Diurnal; most common on valley floor.
Striped Whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus ). Diurnal; occurs from valley floor well into Pinyon-juniper Woodland.
Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer ). Both nocturnal and diurnal; occurs in all habitats.
Long-nosed Snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei ). Nocturnal; occurs on valley floor.
Western Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora hexalepis ). Diurnal; most common in sandy areas on valley floor.
Ground Snake (Sonora semiannulata ). Nocturnal; active in the early evening; prefers rocky areas.
Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii ). Both nocturnal and diurnal; most common in rocky areas but present on valley floor.