Tierra de Oro Laboratory

Physiology and Ecology in the Pinyon-Juniper Savanna

Category: Wildlife

  • Woodhouse’s Toad: Meet Jeeves

    With apologies to P.G. Wodehouse

    Living is northern New Mexico is not easy for any creature, but seems particularly challenging for an amphibian. Even if you somehow manage to find food and shelter, and avoid dying out, how on earth can you reproduce when surface water is so rare?

    Nonetheless, Woodhouse’s toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii) seems to be doing just fine here.

    We first came across them in a nearby arroyo a few years ago. They are about 3″ – 4″ in length and their color and pattern fits right into the background.

    Woodhouse’s toad in arroyo in Salva Tierra. 8/13/24

    Since then, we have run across them in the yard from time to time. They seem especially drawn to irrigation control boxes, which are dark, protected, and often moist.

    Toad in irrigation box. 7/17/25

    Terry has a particularly good garden for toads. He has a small pond and some good protected spots. He has seen a toad (or maybe more, they all look similar to me) occasionally for quite some time.

    As an homage to P.G. Wodehouse (acknowledging the difference in spelling) we have been calling the toad(s)”Jeeves.”

    Jeeves hangs out in and near the pond.

    Toad sitting among reeds
    Jeeves in Terry’s pond. 6/17/26

    He has also been found in the irrigation box some distance away.

    Jeeves in irrigation box. August 2023.

    After a little research, it became clear that Woodhouse’s toads are well adapted for life here in the dry highlands. They are widespread throughout western North America, from Montana and North Dakota in the north, all the way south to the Gulf coast, and from the Missouri river in the east to western Arizona and Utah in the west. Their range abuts those of several closely related species, such as Fowler’s toad (A. fowleri) and the Arizona toad (A. microscaphus), and hybrids of these species can be common.

    Woodhouse’s toads make use of many habitat types, including grasslands, pine forests, agricultural land, suburbs, and, of course, pinyon-juniper woodlands. They prefer loose or sandy soil, presumably because of the need to burrow to escape summer heat and winter cold. They are active from spring to fall, with specific dates depending on latitude and elevation, and feed on a wide variety of insects and other arthropods.

    Given the general lack of surface water here, it is surprising that they can reproduce at all. However, Woodhouse’s toads are capable of traveling several kilometers, and are not picky about where they breed. They breed in ponds, swamps, river backwaters, lake shallows, along with human constructed lakes and ponds. Larvae hatch three days after mating, and take 4 – 7 weeks to mature into little toadlets.

    Glands in their skin produce noxious secretions, but predators such as snakes, birds, skunks and raccoons still take their toll on toadlets and adults. Motor vehicles also cause significant mortality.

    For the moment, populations of Woodhouse’s toad appear to be largely stable. Let’s hope that they will be able to keep up with the ever-warming and changing environment.

    References

    Although I made use of a few other articles, the best overall source of information was the following chapter:

    Dodd, C. K. (2023) Anaxyrus woodhousii (Girard, 1854) Woodhouse’s toad. in Frogs of the United States and Canada. (pp 158-167). Johns Hopkins University Press.

  • Bahia de los Angeles 2026

    It was a successful year for science and wildlife.

    Peninsular landscape on the trip down. 6/17/26

    Once again, I joined Dr. Drew Talley and Dra. Dr Natalia Rodriguez Revelo for a summer survey of the islands in Bahia de los Angeles, Baja California.

    Natalia and Drew on Jorobado. 6/19/26

    The work on the islands went well, and we got data regarding beetle populations from twelve islands. It is also a highlight of my year to spend the time with my best friend and our wonderful colleague.

    Although work on the islands can be challenging, we are usually done by late morning, and there is time for other activities. This year, I thought it would be interesting to test the thermal resilience of some of the beetle species. The specific idea is that beetles that produce defensive chemicals (like Eleodes does) would be more sensitive to extreme conditions such as high temperature when compared with undefended beetles (such as Philolithus in Santa Fe or Cryptoglossa in Bahia). This has been assumed to be the case, but has not been tested rigorously.

    My idea was simple: collect beetles from two species, one defended and one undefended, and test their survival at temperatures ranging from benign to lethal. My prediction would be that the undefended beetles would survive at higher temperatures than those that invest energy and water in defensive scent glands.

    We decided it was better to collect the experimental beetles on the mainland. The project was added to the permit application along with the other, ongoing projects. However, the permit only allowed us to survey the beetles on the mainland, not collect or test them. Nonetheless, sampling would allow us to determine where it would be best to find enough beetles for experiments in the future.

    Bahia de los Angeles dump. 6/18/26

    For our first sampling location, we set traps at the local dump. We reasoned that we could avoid protected areas and private property by sampling at the dump.

    We set nine pitfall traps, baited with oatmeal along an arroyo. After checking back every afternoon for three days, we had caught six Cryptoglossa muricata. It was good to find beetles that would be appropriate for experiments, but we needed at least two species, and about 40 of each. We thought it best to look elsewhere.

    One can see why beetles in the Cryptoglossini are called “death feigning beetles.” This C. muricata is quite alive, but waiting for me to go away. 6/20/26

    We thought that the Glendale Community College field station might be a better location, so we asked Jared Ocampo, an old friend and the station manager, for permission to set traps around the station. He agreed, and even helped us set the traps.

    Arroyo on the southern approach to the Glendale Station. 6/24/26

    We set a total of 24 traps in three sets of eight. One group was set in an arroyo to the south of the station, one set was placed in desert to the west, and the last was placed near the beach to the north. Rather than checking every day, we left the traps for two nights.

    The results were pleasing. We trapped more than sixty C. muricata, and ten Eleodes loretensis, along with a number of Stibia. This is an almost ideal result, in that E. loretensis is chemically defended, whereas C. muricata is not, and they are well-matched n terms of size and mass.

    Eleodes loretensis from a trap at Glendale station. 6/26/26. Click to enlarge.
    Cryptoglossa muricata from a trap in the arroyo at Glendale station. 6/26/26

    The traps in the arroyo were the most productive, and those in the desert also caught a good number of beetles. Interestingly, those by the beach only trapped a few Cryptoglossa.

    Assuming that all goes equally well next year and we have the proper permit, we should be able to compare the temperature sensitivities of these two species that are highly similar except for the presence of chemical defense.

    As always, there is more to come.

  • Screech Owl Party!

    Once the owlets left Terry’s box, they have been pretty scarce. They did show up recently to cool off and clean up in the pond, however. Here’s a quick montage of a few of the videos.

    Coming soon: Photos and videos of the most recent trip to Bahia de los Angeles, Baja California.

  • Santa Fe Bird Page Published

    More content is coming online.

    Bird with black head, brown shoulders, and white breast singing in juniper tree
    Spotted towhee male singing. 4/26/26

    A draft of Birds of Santa Fe Savanna page is now live. This is the first of several that will document the local wildlife.

    The page illustrates the seasonality and relative abundance of birds specific to the area around the lab. The Santa Fe area has a a diverse array of wildlife communities, so the bird fauna here will differ from those at, e.g., the Randall Davey Audubon Center or Las Golondrinas.

    Over the years, I have wondered about the best time to post a new page. Because information changes, better photos become available, links break and so on, an active site is always a work in progress. I have opted for the good rather than the perfect for now, and will continue to improve all of the content on the site.

  • Owls 2026: Nesting to Fledging

    The western screech owlets have grown up and left the nest. All but one of the eggs hatched, and everyone who hatched has fledged. Using Terry’s video clips, I have assembled a video showing some of the high points. For all of the videos from 2025 and 2026, check out Terry’s Owl Cam page.

    The video below is a bit big, so may take some time to load.

    Here is the Terry’s updated hatch and fledge data from the past seven years. The hatching times show some variation, but the time from hatching to fledging is remarkably consistent at 29 days.

  • Velvet Ants: Dangerous Beauties

    Velvet ants are commonly observed wandering the landscape this time of year. Although referred to as ants, they are wasps in the family Mutillidae. Then again, ants are really a family of wasps, so one can quickly get mired in details by being picky about common names.

    Males are fully capable of flight, and look very much like other wasps, whereas females are flightless. Both males and females feed on nectar. The fact that they are earthbound, coupled with their fuzzy and often colorful appearance makes these insects easy to recognize.

    The above subtitle “Dangerous Beauties,” refers to two aspects of the ants’ biology.

    First, both species described below are ectoparasitoids of ground-nesting bees. That is, their larvae develop attached to the larvae of their hosts, and ultimately kill them.

    The second reason for calling them dangerous is because of the females’ powerful stings. Being stung is apparently excruciating to humans, and is an effective defense against most predators. Velvet ants use bright colors and stridulating noises to warn potential predators of the hazards.

    Below are two species from closely related tribes of velvet ants. They share common features of velvet ants (e.g., strong stings and parasitic reproduction), but differ in some aspects of physical appearance, behavior and natural history.

    Velvet Ants

    The common velvet ant, Dasymutilla vestita, is brightly colored and active during the day.

    Velvet ant, Dasymutilla vestita, crossing the street near the lab. 5/24/26.

    The females appear as colorful fuzzballs wandering around in western North America. Generally some combination of black, red, and/or yellow.

    Nocturnal Velvet Ants

    Nocturnal velvet ants are seen more rarely. They are generally smaller, more drably colored, and, unsurprisingly, nocturnal. You can click the photos for larger views.

    Nocturnal velvet ant from pitfall trap. 8/14/25.
    Another view of the same insect. 8/14/25
    Photomicrograph of the same velvet ant as above. Note sting at end of abdomen. Photo 5/23/26 of female collected 8/14/25.

    The above nocturnal velvet ant is in the genus Odontophotopsis, but I have not been able to identify the species as yet.

    A few references

    Gall et al., (2018) The indestructible insect: Velvet ants from across the United States avoid predation by representatives from all major tetrapod clades. Ecol Evol 8:5852-5862.

    Velvet Ants, Mutillidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN717 (note Florida focus)

  • The Natural World: Winners and Losers

    Here at the lab, we are are lucky to have a close up view of nature. It’s a constant parade, with beetles emerging from their winter homes, ants swarming to start new colonies, winter birds leaving, summer birds arriving, and much more.

    Carpenter ants swarming. A major worker (front left) guards the nest entrance while a winged male gets ready for his brief duty of finding a mate. 5/9/26

    Four of five of the eggs in Terry’s nest box have hatched, and the owlets are growing rapidly. Of course, for each meal the owlets enjoy, a mouse, bird, or insect has a very bad day.

    Dead mouse being delivered to growing owlets. 5/726

    Snake in a Box

    We have been tempted to add another bluebird box that has a camera so that we can watch the process of growth and fledging. I have been hesitating, largely because some broods do not survive and I am not sure that I want to watch that happen. My attitude was reinforced this week, when the female bluebird did not go into the nest box, and there was a something strange and pink sticking out of the hole.

    When I opened the box, there was a large pink coachwhip snake inside. It had made a meal of the brood, even though the nest is on a pole about four feet off the ground.

    Large coachwhip occupying bluebird box, having consumed most recent brood. 5/10/26

    Looks like it will be necessary to add some flashing around the pole to make it harder for snakes to reach the box.

    Lame Coyote

    There seems to be a large crop of rabbits this year, which has led to plenty of coyote sightings. I see them at least a few times a week on morning surveys, and they show up regularly on the wildlife cams.

    Terry was lucky enough to spot one finishing its rabbit meal, and fast enough to get a video. Another coyote, with an injured front leg, tries to share, but the first coyote is having none of it.

    Coyote having breakfast, courtesy of Terry Morgan. 5/9/26

    It is a harsh life out there, and a coyote that can’t hunt will not be able to eat. Animals can heal, so it may be back on all four feet and able to hunt again.

  • Owlets Eating and Growing

    Small fuzzy shapes in nest box.
    Four owlets waiting for food. 5/3/26

    Four of the five eggs have hatched, and the parents are feeding them heavily with insects, rodents, and birds. The most recent videos are here. For all the rest, check out the owl box main page.

  • Owl Cam Starts Again!

    Screech owl in Terry’s box. 5/12/25

    The western screech owls in Terry’s nest box are starting their spring activity. They seem to be slower getting started than in previous years. Nonetheless, there is nesting material in the box, and the male is hunting for food. Hoping for eggs soon!

    If you want to see all the videos, including those from last year, go here.

  • Baja California: Annual Island Survey

    The islands in the Gulf of California provide a natural laboratory for the effects of “spatial subsidy,” the movement of resources from a rich environment (the sea) to a more impoverished habitat (the desert islands). In this context, scientists have studied many species on the islands, including Tenebrionid beetles. The abundance and diversity of beetles on the islands of Bahia de los Angeles have been surveyed for at least 30 years, and my good friend and colleague Dr Drew Talley has been leading the studies for most of that time. In recent years, Dr Natalia Rodriguez Revelo, an expert in beetles and dune ecology, has participated in the work with Drew. I have participated in various roles for several of the past 20 field seasons, and was once again privileged to spend time with them and help out on the islands this year.

    Drew and Natalia counting beetles on La Ventana. 6/28/25.

    The procedure is straightforward in principle: on each island, set multiple pitfall traps (plastic party cups) baited with lean pieces of fish. The beetles (and, occasionally, other creatures) fall into the traps. Six days later, the traps are checked and the number and species of beetles are scored. In practice, mice or gulls can steal bait if it is not adequately secured, or fat from fish guts can turn the contents of the cup to smelly soup.

    In a perfect world, traps would be set on all of the accessible islands in the bay. In practice, time constraints forced us to prioritize. This year, we sampled Coronadito, Coronado (also known as Isla Smith), Flecha, Pata, Llave, Cerraja, La Ventana, Cabeza de Caballo, and Gemelos West.

    I made an effort this year to photograph each species using a platform with tacky wax to secure the beetle, and a scale to document its size.

    Satellite map of ahia de Lo
    Map of the bay at Bahia de los Angeles. Most islands, including all islands sampled this year, are labeled. The town of Bahia de los Angeles is labeled at lower left.

    It was marginally successful, and provided insight about how to improve future versions.

    Below is a draft guide to the beetles found on the islands, When possible, photos are provided of beetles held in fingers and mounted on the photography platform. Cartoons provide graphic representation of the relative sizes of the beetles, ranging from tiny (Batuliodes) to hefty (Cryptoglossa), keeping in mind that the sizes of all species can vary significantly.

    Distribution of each species are based on data from Sanchez Piñero and Aalbu (2002). A table extracted from their observations can be found here.

    Click the photographs if you want to see larger versions.

    Argoporis apicalis

    Medium sized, with ridged elytra and reddish legs. Argoporis is one of the few Tenebrionids on the islands which possess defensive glands in their abdomens.

    Found on all islands except Mitlan (tiny island next to Coronado).

    12 mm
    narrow black beetle with reddish legs held by fingers
    Argoporis apicalis trapped on Coronadito island. 6/26/25.
    Argoporis apicalis trapped on Cerraja island. The blurred image of an extra antenna was caused by using focus stacking to improve depth of field. 6/27/25.

    Batuliodes confluens

    This tiny brown beetle with roughened pronotum and elytra.

    Found on the majority of islands, and may be undercounted due to its small size.

    tiny black beetle on a white background
    ~3 mm
    Batuliodes confluens trapped on Flecha island. 6/23/14
    Batuliodes confluens trapped on Cerraja island. 6/27/25.

    Cryptadius tarsalis

    Small, oval, and deep-bodied, with dense rows of small punctures on the elytra.

    Cryptadius is found on Bota, Cerraja, Coronado, Jorobado, Mitlan and Pata.

    Diagram of a small beetle on a white background
    8 mm
    Cryptadius tarsalis.trapped on Llave island. Scale bar, 2 mm. 6/27/25

    Cryptoglossa spiculifera

    One of the largest beetles on the islands, with elytra decorated with rows of raised, spiny bumps.

    Found on the largest islands (Coronado, Cabeza de Caballo, but not La Ventana) as well as the rookery island, Gemelos West.

    diagram of a black beetle almost filling a white background.
    28 mm
    Cryptoglossa spiculifera trapped on Gemelos West island, 6/28/25.
    Large black beetle on blurred blue background.
    Cryptoglossa spiculifera trapped on Gemelos West island. Scale bar, 10 mm. 6/28/25.

    Microschatia championi

    Slightly smaller than Cryptoglossa, the elytra of Micoschatia are decorated with dimples rather than sharp bumps and there are punctures on the lateral pronotum of M. championi.

    Present on all but the smallest islands.

    20 mm
    Microschatia championi trapped on Cerraja island. 6/27/25.
    Microschatia championi trapped on Cerraja island. Scale bar, 5 mm. 6/27/25.

    Stibia sparsa

    Shaped like a typical Tenebrionid, with dense punctures on the pronotum and rows of punctures on the elytra.

    Stibia can be found on the largest islands (Cabeza de Caballo, Coronado, La Ventana) plus Gemelos West.

    diagram of a black beetle on a large white background
    11 mm
    small brownish black beetle held in fingers
    Stibia sparsa trapped on Gemelos West island. 6/28/25
    dorsal view of black beetle on blurred blue background
    Stibia sparsa trapped on Gemelos West island. Scale bar, 2 mm. 6/28/25.

    Tonibius sulcatus

    Very small and reddish, with relatively smooth pronotum and strongly ridged elytra.

    Described from most islands, except Coronaditio, Gemelos West, Jorobado and Llave.

    diagram of a very small black beetle on a white background
    6 mm
    Tonibius sulcatus found at Las Hamacas hotel. 7/10/24.

    Triphalopsis californicus

    Small, black, oval, and deep-bodied. Covered with fine hairs that are often coated in dust.

    Triphalopsis has been described from all islands except Gemelo West.

    Diagram of a small beetle on a white background
    8 mm
    Triphalopsis californicus trapped on Flecha island. 6/27/25.
    Triphalopsis californicus trapped on Cerraja island. Scale bar, 2 mm. 6/27/25.

    There are many other beetles, including various species of Histeridae and Dermestidae (not shown).

    Hister Beetle on Coronadito Island. Scale 2 mm. 6/26/25.

    Centipedes, spiders, and scorpions are often found in the traps in the larger islands.

    Scorpion trapped on La Ventana. 6/28/25

    References

    Sanchez Piñero, F. and Aalbu, R. L. (2002). Tenebrionid Beetles (Appendix 6.1). In A New Island Biogeography of the Sea of Cortés, pp. 129–153. New York: Oxford University Press.