La Ventana Stories

Paper Nautilus or Argonaut

Posted on by María Rodriguez-Salinas

Today I want to introduce you to one of the most fascinating marine creatures. These beautiful and delicate shells you see, didn´t belong to a snail or a crab, they belonged to an octopus, a female octopus to be more precise.

Paper nautiluses or argonauts are a group of pelagic octopuses. Unlike their ground dwelling cousins, they spend their lives drifting in the water column, so they evolved in clever ways to adapt to this environment. Argonauts exhibit extreme sexual dimorphism in size, lifespan and features. Females can grow up to 30 cm (12 inches), with their shells while males rarely reach more than 2cm (0.8 inches). Males only mate once in their short lifetime, but females can reproduce many times during their lives. Females have been known since ancient times, because of a unique characteristic, while males were only described in the late 19th century.

The most particular feature of these animals belongs to females too: they have two special tentacles that secrete calcite. After mating, they start producing a delicate papery shell, lay their eggs inside it and get cozy themselves. They capture air at the surface and then seal it inside the shell, using it for buoyancy control, like a hot air balloon. They can control the size of the air bubble to keep their position in the water column. This way they travel, following the current accompanied by their eggs without expending energy.

A paper nautilus’ shell is a rare finding, if you are lucky to find one, treat it carefully, it’s a little and delicate treasure, a part of a creature with a unique life story!

San Lucan Rock Lizard 

Posted on by Chance Stevens

Today’s reptile spotlight features the San Lucan Rock Lizard (Petrosaurus thalassinus), a beautiful and skittish lizard that always seems to keep a distance from humans, posing with a superior aura, somewhat like many celebrities. 

San Lucan Rock Lizards are some of the most striking lizards in Baja, without a doubt, with their beautiful blue collars and vibrant splotches. They love hanging out on large rocks and boulders in arroyos and along hillsides. Although they mostly inhabit higher elevations, they can be found in the hills above La Ventana on occasion. They are very fast and, though some are a bit more laid back, most usually never let you get within 10 feet of them; again, like some celebrities.

These fascinating lizards primarily eat bugs, although sometimes leaves, fruits, seeds and even smaller lizards are eaten. In my experience, if you want to see a a rock lizard, they are very abundant along the riverbanks of the active arroyos near Santiago BCS, and that is where I took this photo. If you want to talk or walk reptiles, email ChanceStevens123@icloud.com

Blue Whale

Posted on by María Rodriguez-Salinas

Just a few days ago we had an incredible encounter: while out on a boat, we found not one, but two blue whales in our bay. We were observing a humpback whale when suddenly, we heard a very loud blow close to our boat: there it was, a gigantic creature just at our doorstep. The sound of a blue whale´s breath is incredible, it is so loud it gets inside your chest, no doubt a powerful feeling to hear one close by.

Blue whales are the largest animal known to have ever existed. They can live up to 80 or 90 years and reach a maximum length of 30m (98 ft) and weigh up to 200 tons. Their heart is the size of a car! They perform long migrations, traveling from their summer feeding grounds in the polar regions to their winter breeding grounds in waters near the tropics.

Despite their size, much of their life story remains a mystery. They are generally solitary or gather in small groups, mothers with their calves being the most common aggregation. They migrate during winter and spring to the Gulf of California for feeding and breeding. In Loreto area, females with their newborn calves have been observed.

They are baleen whales, meaning they do not have teeth, but baleen plates that they use to filter their food. Their diet consists almost exclusively of krill. Their stomach can hold one ton of krill and they need to eat about 4 tons of krill each day.

Blue whales produce some of the loudest and lowest frequency vocalizations in the animal kingdom, and their inner ears appear well adapted for detecting low-frequency sounds. They emit a series of pulses, groans, and moans, and it’s thought that, in good conditions, blue whales can hear each other up to 1000 miles away. Scientists think they use these vocalizations not only to communicate but, along with their excellent hearing, to sonar-navigate the lightless ocean depths.

Like other whale species, they were abundant in nearly all the Earth´s oceans, until the 19th century, when they were hunted almost to extinction. The International Whaling Commission banned blue whale hunting in 1966, but they’ve managed only a minor recovery since then. Today they are listed as Endangered and face man-made threats such as ship strikes, pollution, ocean noise, and climate change.

The Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake

Posted on by Chance Stevens

Today’s column features one of the most venomous reptiles inhabiting Baja. Besides the rattlesnakes, the Yellow-bellied Sea Snake (Hydrophis platurus) is the only dangerous snake in our region. Although they are not considered to live here, these curious, interesting and uncommon snakes do swim into the gulf from time to time. In the La Ventana area, though extremely rare, they can sometimes be seen around the reefs and even washed up onto the beach. I guess even sea snakes want to vacation here.

Most likely, if you have seen a long, snake-like creature in the water, it was an eel, which is a kind of fish. Many eels look so much like snakes that they get mis-identified frequently. To further complicate matters, some eels are called “snake eels” or even just “snakes.” For example, “tiger reef snakes” are actually eels. 

Actual sea snakes are black and yellow, and eat eels. They are usually very non-aggressive, and quite reluctant to bite, although they are highly venomous and so should be treated with caution. In most cases, you will see them sitting on the beach, which indicates that they may be sick or weak, and not in their best state. Recently my friend Julie sent a photo of just one such unfortunate fellow on South Beach. Here is that photo. When sea snakes are in the water, however, they tend to be far more active and healthy. If you want to talk or walk reptiles, email ChanceStevens123@icloud.com

All Things Reptile’s One-Year Anniversary

Posted on by Chance Stevens

It is now mid February, and we have just passed All Things Reptile’s one-year anniversary. On this special occasion, I have decided to write a poem reflecting on my first ten reptile columns. 

The First Ten

Our adventures started with a speedy friend,
The Baja California Coachwhip
With his tail a vibrant orange on the end.

Then came the race-car lizard of Baja,
The Orange-Throated Whiptail
With a throat the color of a Naranja.

After this came number three,
The Sand Snake
Living wild and free.

Then the night snake followed suit, 
I got some good pictures
Before he hid under my boot.

After that came another creature of the night
As the Asian House Gecko 
Got its spot in the light.

Next came the Cape Spiny-Tailed Iguana
Becoming common in the spring
As Baja became a sauna.

This column has been fun to write from the get-go,
Especially now as we move on 
To the Western Banded Gecko.

Then came a personal favorite of yours truly,
The Cape Gopher Snake,
Though they are a bit unruly.

Almost there with number nine
The Zebra Tailed Lizard 
Burrowing under the sand line.

Finally we have reached number 10 and the end, 
Featuring Black-Tailed Brush Lizards,
I am ready to push send.

Most importantly, on the column’s one-year anniversary, I would like to thank everyone who has helped me reach this milestone. Thank you, Chris and Edie, the editors at The Ventana View, for making this column possible. Thank you as well, everyone who has emailed me questions and comments. This has been an extremely supportive group and you all have given me so much inspiration.

If you want to talk or walk reptiles, email ChanceStevens123@icloud.com

City-Dwelling Reptiles

Posted on by Chance Stevens

Today I am taking a little twist with All Things Reptile; I will be writing about the city-dwelling reptiles of LV/ES. We see most reptiles when we are out on hikes and other excursions, but let’s go over some of the reptiles most well adapted for urban life.

When you think of the night life in La Ventana, you probably think of the parties thrown throughout the winter. However, the true die-hard partiers of La Ventana live on your ceiling and behind your lights. Asian House Geckos (Hemidactylus frenatus) are very common in this area, and are particularly successful in urban areas.  

Another common reptile in urban El Sargento and La Ventana is the Black-Tailed Brush Lizard (Urosaurus nigricauda). These little friends eat small insects and are very good climbers. They inhabit palm trees, brush piles and even palapa roofs, which helps them inhabit even the smallest yards. They are perfect for living in the suburbs. 

Our final guest is also our only serpentine friend. The Variable Sand Snake (the scientific name is kind of complicated, and controversial, but I think it’s Sonora cincta) is a common, small and harmless snake living under the surface of sandy soils. These little guys eat mostly insects, including crickets and cockroaches, and can successfully live in sandy lots and yards without problem. 

Lastly, here is a haiku:

Geckos

Concerts every night
Bugs attracted by the light
The geckos delight.

–Chance Stevens, All Things Reptile 2/7/23.

The next reptile walk has been scheduled for Sunday, Feb 12th. At 9:30 AM on the Punta Gorda Trail. This walk will probably be between two and three hours, and may not be suitable for small children.

If you want to talk or walk reptiles, email ChanceStevens123@icloud.com

Gray Whale

Posted on by María Rodriguez-Salinas

This time of the year we receive one of the most popular visitors of the Baja Peninsula: gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus). Every winter, gray whales embark on an epic trip from their summer home in Alaska´s waters to the warm waters of Baja California´s lagoons. This is one of the greatest migrations in the animal kingdom, a round-trip of around 20000 km (12000 miles), an epic journey full of dangers. This week I would like to share their story, because it is one of hope, one that shows us that if we act soon, there is still time for life to bounce back.

During the mid-1800s and early 1900s, gray whales were slaughtered for their meat and fat to almost extinction. In their nursing lagoons of Baja California, they were easy prey. Fishermen called them “devil fish” because when losing their calves to whalers, the mothers would destroy their boats. There was an open war between whales and humans, one that whales were losing.

Finally, gray whales became internationally protected in 1947. After almost disappearing, the population rebounded, going back to almost pre-whaling numbers.

The war was over and, after decades, the whales changed the way they saw humans: in San Ignacio, gray whales started approaching fishermen’s boats, not to attack them, but to greet them. The whales seemed to want people around and even allowed fishermen to pet them. Such a special interaction brought ecotourism to the fishing villages, which are visited every year by people from all over the world.

Today, gray whales and people are intimately connected, they are part of the local culture and are highly regarded, being one of the most iconic species in Baja California.

Wet Weather

Posted on by Chance Stevens

Today is a rainy day! Although this wet weather is quite rare here, I think it is worth a rainy day column. On wet days, almost all reptiles are in hiding, but many of the local amphibians come out, such as the two local species of toads, the Red Spotted Toad and the Couch’s Spade Foot Toad. 

In the summer on rainy days, toads start calling from the puddles, and dozens of them appear from cracks and holes in the ground. On rainy winter days, however, it is different because it is not the toads’ breeding season. During wet winter days, a few toads will come to the surface, but they really come out during wet winter nights. I bet tonight we will see thousands of toads emerging throughout LV/ES.

As for the reptiles, there are frequently snakes and lizards flooded out of their holes and burrows, and you may see a wet little gecko or iguana running around in search of a new hiding spot.

I love rainy days here in Baja, and so do the plants. This rain will likely give us a beautiful green spring! If you want to talk or walk reptiles, email ChanceStevens123@icloud.com

Brahminy Blind Snake

Posted on by Chance Stevens

Today I have decided to write about a reptile that, unfortunately, I have not found in the wild yet: an elusive, tiny, burrowing worm. Well, at least that’s what it seems like. This little worm lookalike is actually called a Brahminy Blind Snake (Indotyphlops braminus). These miniature snakes are also called Flower Pot Snakes, as they have traveled worldwide via potted plants, soil bags and a number of other things. In these ways, itty bitty snakes have taken over the world. 

Luckily, these minuscule serpents are completely harmless. In fact, they are very difficult to even see, which would at least partially explain why I have not found one yet. They live below the surface, feeding mostly on very small insect larvae, and spend most of their time down in ant and termite burrows. These pocket-sized snakes are originally from Southeastern Asia, but now can be found in over 30 countries, including Mexico, the USA, many countries in Africa, Australia, Japan and Spain, to name a few.

Despite these microscopic (okay, that was an exaggeration, I am just running out of “tiny” synonyms) snakes covering every continent except Antarctica, they are not too damaging, as they aren’t poisonous or venomous, and they eat ant larvae. So, as far as invasive species go, Brahminy Blind Snakes are not all too bad.

I know you are all dying to know just how small they really are, so here you go: adult Brahminy Blind Snakes can typically grow up to 4 to 6.5 inches long or 11cm to 16.5cm, and their eggs are only around 0.5 inches or 1.5 cm in length.  They are the second smallest snakes in the world! 

If you want to talk or walk reptiles, email ChanceStevens123@icloud.com

Whale Sharks

Posted on by María Rodriguez-Salinas

Whale shark (Rhincodon typus), 0% whale and 100% shark, whale sharks are the largest fish in the world, reaching up to 18m (60 ft). Primarily pelagic, they can be found in both coastal and oceanic habitats. They lack proper teeth having only tiny ones and filter pads in their gills. They are filter feeders, one of only three known filter-feeding shark species (along with the basking shark and the megamouth shark). They feed on plankton and other small animals like baitfish and squid. They swallow water either by opening their mouth and swimming forward or by active suction, opening and closing their mouth. The water is then expelled through the gills, which filter the food. A juvenile whale shark is estimated to eat 21 kg (46 pounds) of plankton per day.

Whale sharks are found in tropical areas around the world, including the warm waters of Mexico from the Sea of Cortez to the eastern Mexican coast in the Caribbean. They are generally solitary animals but sometimes gather in large groups to take advantage of good feeding opportunities.

They are gray or gray-blue with a beautiful pattern of white lines and dots. This pattern is unique to each individual, like a fingerprint, and can be used for identification. In La Paz area they gather from November to April to feed in the plankton-rich waters of the Bay. Despite their enormous size, we still don´t know much about these animals, and their growth, longevity, and reproduction are poorly understood. They are classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.