CNDDB News Blog

Crotalus ruber – red-diamond rattlesnake
Photo credit: © Adam Clause, all rights reserved

July 16 is World Snake Day, which offers no better opportunity to appreciate our scaly friends and the contributions our submitters have made to conserving this group of reptiles through their CNDDB observations. California is home to nearly 50 native snake species, and 16 are tracked through the CNDDB database. This beautiful red-diamond rattlesnake was found by Adam in the Jacumba Wilderness of Imperial County. As its name suggests, this species is identifiable by the color of its scales which can range in hues of pinkish-brown, red-orangey tan, or brick red. This snake can be found slithering in chaparral, woodland, and arid desert habitats through southwestern California to mid Baja. The red-diamond rattlesnake is a CDFW Species of Special Concern with 260 mapped occurrences throughout its California range. Thank you, Adam, for sharing this awesome photo! Happy World Snake Day everyone!

Do you have some great photos of rare plants or wildlife detections? Submit them along with your findings through our Online Field Survey Form and see if your photos get showcased!

The following CNDDB documents have been updated:

• Special Vascular Plants, Bryophytes, and Lichens List (PDF)
• Endangered, Threatened, and Rare Plants List (PDF)
• Changes to the CNDDB Special Vascular Plants, Bryophytes, and Lichens List (PDF)
• Special Animals List (PDF)
• Endangered and Threatened Animals List (PDF)

Links to the T&E and Special Plants/Animals lists can be found on the CNDDB Plants and Animals web page. More information about state listing can be found on the California Fish and Game Commission CESA web page and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife CESA web page. If you have any questions about these lists, please email us at CNDDB@wildlife.ca.gov.

On April 22nd we celebrate Earth Day, and the natural wonders of California and beyond. The Department of Fish and Wildlife would like to proudly announce on this special day that the second edition of the Atlas of the Biodiversity of California has been published!

The Atlas is filled with beautiful maps, stunning photographs, and captivating illustrations. It features dozens of articles that cover an array of topics, such as the state's remarkable geography, how we measure biodiversity, and examples of the complexity and uniqueness of many of California's treasured wildlife habitats. The Atlas explores why we should care about biodiversity, what some of the current threats are to biodiversity, and what preservation and restoration strategies are underway for the protection of the state’s uniquely diverse species and ecosystems.

Visit our Atlas web page to view the full Atlas of the Biodiversity of California, 2nd Edition or selected sections. Physical copies are being distributed to all public libraries of California, as well as many academic libraries in the state. Check out your local library in the coming months to see a hard copy of this magnificent book.