Monterey Trip 2025

Short video: trip to Monterey and Big Sur 2025.

A few weeks, ago I went on a trip to Monterey and Big Sur where I encountered many amazing animals, plants and fungi. Today, we'll take a look at some wildlife I saw during the trip.

1. Western Fence Lizard.

The Western Fence Lizard is by far the most abundant lizard in California. Often known as a bluebelly, the males of this species utilize their flashy blue stomachs and pushups to assert dominance and attract females. It is extremely nimble and quick, thanks to it's excellent eyesight.

A third "eye," called a parietal eye is located on top of the head between the two eyes. Though it doesn't function like it's main eyes do, this "eye" is merely used to pick up light and movement.

This lizard is known to host several tick species such as the Western Black Tick. Protein in the lizard blood kills the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

Overall, fence lizards exhibit truly fascinating behaviors. The next time you see one in the wild—or even here at the CCAG—take a moment to appreciate just how clever they are

2. Commando isopod.

The commando isopod is an interesting creature. It belongs to the order Isopoda, which includes terrestrial woodlice and marine fish lice parasites. This isopod, unlike the familiar introduced Porcellio scaber and Armadillidium vulgare is native to the west coast sand dunes. Though their habitat lacks fresh water to moisten their gills, they absorb moisture from ocean spray and through dew drops on plants.

3. California Whiptail.

A rare Californian lizard restricted to the Mojave and some parts of the bay, the California Whiptail is an interesting lizard. Some members of the genus reproduce by parthenogenesis, a type of asexual reproduction. Female whiptails fertilize eggs without a male and as a result the offspring are exact clones of the mother. This method reduces genetic diversity within the population, but studies show that whiptails use other methods to maintain diversity.

More animals we found in Monterey will be spotlighted in the new Bronxtin Studos trailer.