Legless lizard examined near Martin Dunes


The dune habitat along the Monterey Bay is home to many unique species.  One of the most mysterious is the black legless lizard.  This creature is found only along the Monterey Bay dune habitat and nowhere else on earth.  I was thrilled to finally see one on a recent walk along the Salinas River Wildlife Refuge (part of our Walk the Bay route).

Why isn’t the black legless lizard just a snake?  These lizards are distinguishable from snakes because they have moveable eyelids (snakes do not have eyelids at all); and 2) they can detach the end of their tail.

If you’d like to try to see a black legless lizard on your next walk around the Monterey Bay you may learn a few tricks by reading a very interesting article written by a student studying the black legless lizard.



American Avocet


All of you who love the Monterey Bay should stay up to date with the work of Watsonville Wetlands Watch.  This is a dynamic group that promotes and protects this invaluable, vast, interesting, and amazing resource along the Monterey Bay.

If you haven’t subscribed to their e-newsletter, I really recommend it.  They host numerous monthly events, walks, educational opportunities, and keep you up to date about events in the Monterey Bay area that are relevant to the well being of the wetlands and the numerous animals that make their home along our shores.

Check out the September Newsletter and I think you’ll be impressed.  Click here!


Copyright: Santa Cruz Sentinel
Salmon Shark, Santa Cruz Sentinel

We’ve had several stories this month about shark strandings along the Monterey Bay. These sharks wash up infrequently in August and September along our Walk the Bay paths on the coast. I decided to learn a little more about the sharks that live in the Monterey Bay and was surprised to find that a dozen different shark species call Monterey Bay their home. Check out the very informative webpage on the sharks found in the bay from the Pelagic Shark Research Foundation in Santa Cruz.

If you are walking along the Monterey Bay and happen upon any stranded marine mammal be sure to call 831-633-6298.