Reptiles and Amphibians of California's Journal

"This is going to be a huge year for rattlesnakes with the amount of rain that we got,” said Fraser.

http://www.abc10.com/mb/news/local/rattlesnake-season-is-early/426742012

Joshua Tree National Park officials this week issued a somber plea for visitors to do a better job watching out for wildlife after vehicles ran over and killed at least three desert tortoises within seven days.

http://m.pe.com/articles/one-828596-blooms-wildflower.html

A pair of filmmakers shooting wildlife off the coast of Southern California rescued a loggerhead sea turtle that had its four flippers and neck wrapped in the line of a deflated helium balloon.

http://www.thelog.com/local/filmmakers-shoot-rescue-of-sea-turtle-caught-in-line/

The deal and dates: Not all parks charge entry fees, but those that do will be free Saturday and Sunday (Easter), and April 22 and 23. You have more than 400 national parks, monuments, recreation areas and historic sites to choose from too.

http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-tr-deal-national-parks-west-free-days-20170331-story.html

Biologists work with the USMC, BLM, the California and US Fish & Wildlife Services to relocate about 1,100 to 1,500 Desert Tortoises from the Bessemer Mine area of Johnson Valley in Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Wednesday, April 12, 2017.

http://www.pe.com/2017/04/13/marines-move-imperiled-desert-tortoises-out-of-harms-way/

This winter’s rains have led to a lot of vegetation growth, which attracts rattlesnake prey such as mice and other rodents, according to Barbara Norton, OC Parks operations manager.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-rattlesnakes-20170419-story.html

Most scientists are perfectly content to tinker away in their labs, quietly conduct research and make great discoveries through rigorously designed and controlled experiments. But ever since the 45th president of the United States took office, the scientific and medical communities have become increasingly concerned. And angry.

That’s why so many people in the field (and members of the general public who value supporting science), will take part in mass demonstrations on Saturday, April 22, which also happens to be Earth Day.

http://www.newsweek.com/march-science-washington-dc-588055

Amateur wildlife photographer Salah Baazizi captured the shocking sequence of an Egret snacking on a lizard at the Bolsa Chica Wildlife Conservancy in Southern California as he watched from around ten metres away.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4405784/Lizard-escaping-egret-Bolsa-Chica-wildlife-park.html

Just like humans, rattlesnakes enjoy the warm weather.

As we're spending more time outdoors in coming weeks, be aware, experts say.

http://www.sbsun.com/environment-and-nature/20170421/how-to-avoid-being-bitten-by-a-rattlesnake