The power went off at our house. My husband went out to check the circuit breakers and came in and told me there was a black widow. I snapped some pics but saw the egg sac that said brown widow. I decided to check back today. That spider looked so black. More egg cases (no spider). But I noticed a treasure trove of victims below the web. Tropical house cricket, Woodlouse hunter, Masked Chafer, and others? There is a thick web that goes out through the bottom of the box where the power comes in. I cleared the egg sacs. Sorry spider not a good place. I will check back again tomorrow because I didn't see her.

Found on the way to Eagle Rock in Topanga forest, starting from Trippet Ranch (youtube videos below). The two male rattle snakes combatting! Some said there was a female on close by. The two snakes are very fat! Didn’t rattle while combatting. Observed by Trang Nguyen, Andrew Griffith, Kevin Robinson, Jonathan Marcotte, Emily Zakem and Xuelian Chen
YouTube for videos: https://youtu.be/l9btIG1Gnos

Observation and photos sent to me by a neighbor, Y. Jin.

I questioned further and received the additional photos and following explanation. What's neat, too, is that the Elgaria has its tail in the first photos, but then at some point, dropped the tail, and the snake also ate the drop tail once it was done with the Elgaria.

"And YES the snake won, but it took some time since the lizard did indeed bite the snake as well! Also after the snake finally swallowed the lizard, it ate the lizard's tail which had fallen off as well."

Observation and photos sent to me by a neighbor, Y. Jin.

I questioned further and received the additional photos and following explanation. What's neat, too, is that the Elgaria has its tail in the first photos, but then at some point, dropped the tail, and the snake also ate the drop tail once it was done with the Elgaria.

"And YES the snake won, but it took some time since the lizard did indeed bite the snake as well! Also after the snake finally swallowed the lizard, it ate the lizard's tail which had fallen off as well."

The part of their courtship I observed consisted of the male and female darting out from the garden, begin circling each other closely and then him locking her in a tight embrace with his mouth.  About ten minutes later, she wiggled away.  Another one was spotted nearby that had lost part of its tail, though regeneration was visible so it wasn't a fresh wound.  

Gopher snakes mating (? see comment below) in backyard for at least 1.5 hours (I did not watch the whole time, but had to keep dog inside until they decided to go back to the canyon). Video taken with phone:
https://youtu.be/EwRPn0ePzJg

Sadly one of the neighbors cats is allowed out and has a strong hunting instinct. I’ve seen it chase lizards, squirrel even a pair of ducks. This guy didn’t make it but I rescued the big alligator lizard in my next observation.

I captured these two males fighting in Shell Ridge. I filmed for 16 minutes. The vanquished male bit the victor just before curling up in defeat. Both survived. You can see a spot of blood on the head in the third photo. After they both rested a bit, they each slithered off in different directions. I did not spy the female's den, but she was no doubt in the vicinity. I had snake expert Harry Greene view and confirm the video. I was surprised by the number of Youtube videos out there describing this behavior as mating. I thought they were mating at first as well.

Being used by a San Francisco Garter Snake as a pillow. There was no predation occurring here. The snake never acted aggressively towards the lizard. They just slept like this until the lizard wandered off.

Dead small alligator lizard found rolled up, in spider webs, in Air Conditioner unit installed same year, put on nasturtium leaf for size comparison. Donated it to Friendship Park for their nature center collection.

Little one looked like it may be caught in spider web, I got it out of there. (I had one years ago that tangled with a spider and both lost the battle-didn't want this guy to die too.) Sorry the picture isn't better. Once free from the web, he went up the wall, about 6 feet high where I couldn't get another picture. This is one of this years hatchlings.

"Lizard caught in spider web. It was alive (when we saw it) and my four-year-old grabbed it. Luckily, he didn't squeeze too hard and we set it free under the rosemary. From there it disappeared."

• Leah Kemp

Observation and photos by Leah Kemp.

Photo and observation by E.A.

Found by front door upon coming home. Outcome is not known.

Duplicate observation uploaded for the alligator lizard: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32507726

Photo and observation by E.A.

Found on front doorstep upon returning home. Outcome is unknown.

Duplicate observation uploaded for the king snake: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32507668

Photos and observation by Lorna L. Walsh.

California Kingsnake eating Mourning Dove eggs.

Published:
Hollingsworth, B. D., and L. L. Walsh. 2016. Lampropeltis califoniae (California Kingsnake). Diet/Oophagy. Herpetological Review 47: 684.