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The Sacramento sucker, aka western sucker, is an inferiorly mouthed (lower positioned mouth) fish that hails primarily from lakes, rivers, and streams of California, but can also be found in Oregon and Nevada. They face the threat of water diversions that drastically reduce natural streamflows, while heavy groundwater pumping lowers […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The California golden trout has been the official freshwater state fish of California since 1947. They are closely related to 2 rainbow trout subspecies. These fish face the threats of hybridization and introgression which can cause genetic pollution due to interbreeding with other trout species. This has caused such a […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The California tiger salamander was previously considered to be a subspecies of the tiger salamander, however these salamanders were recently designated as a separate species again. They face the threats of habitat loss and destruction at the hands of residential and commercial developments, as well as the timber industry; roads […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The red diamond rattlesnake, aka red rattlesnake or red diamond snake, can be found in southwestern California and Baja California. These pit vipers face the threats of habitat loss and destruction at the hands of farming, ranching, residential, and commercial developments; hunting; and trapping. Even through these adversities they are […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The Santa Catalina rattlesnake hails only from Isla Santa Catalina in the Gulf of California. These rattlers are unique in that they lack a rattle at the end of their tail. These vipers face the threats of hunting; trapping, for distribution via the illegal pet trade; disturbances from recreational activities; […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The arroyo toad is a species of true toad in the family Bufonidae. They are endemic to California, and Baja California state, as well as Mexico. Sadly, these amphibians face many threats such as habitat loss and destruction at the hands of residential and commercial developments, farming, ranching, dams, fires, […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The sarcastic fringehead is named for their large mouth and aggressive demeanor. The name fringehead was given due to the ruff of tissue surrounding their neck. These fish can be found from San Fransisco, California down to the Baja California coastline at depths of 9.84 – 239.5 feet. With no […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The mountain beaver is sometimes confused with the North American beaver and the Eurasian beaver, however, these beavers are more closely related to squirrels. Although they are mostly considered pests throughout their ranges, they are still threatened by wildfires, grazing livestock, expansion of exotic plant species, rodent control methods, alteration […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The coast mole, aka Pacific mole, hails from the Pacific northwest. More specifically British Columbia, Canada; Washington state, Oregon, northern California, and western Idaho, United States. With no real threats, sans some habitat loss and poisoning by farmers, these moles are abundant throughout their ranges and listed as Least Concern […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The Perrin’s beaked whale is a shy member of the toothed whale suborder. There are over 20 species of beaked whales recognized to date. These whales face the threats of overfishing and subsequent bycatch (getting caught in gill nets and long lines, which can cause drownings); pollution in the form […]

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