The Alameda whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus) is a federally threatened subspecies of the California whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis) with a current distribution of five populations in Contra Costa and Alameda counties. Direct threats to the species include habitat loss and fragmentation, primarily due to urban development. Our goal is to monitor the population of Alameda whipsnakes on Mt. Wanda at John Muir National Historic Site while providing training to interns on the natural history of species captured in the process. Park staff began monitoring in April 2018 in collaboration with The Wildlife Project and have monitored each year since. Survey methods include drift fence arrays with funnel and Sherman traps adjacent to the Alameda whipsnake’s preferred coastal scrub habitat on Mt. Wanda. Over the course of the monitoring project, 55 individual Alameda whipsnakes have been captured. Besides Alameda whipsnakes, we also capture other reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals. In 2024, we observed an increase in whipsnake captures compared to recent years, along with a 1710% increase in the number of California voles (Microtus californicus) captured. The data we collect provides a better understanding of the habitat requirements and characteristics needed to support the Alameda whipsnake population on Mt. Wanda.

Hannah works as the Biological Science Technician at John Muir National Historic Site where she has monitored Alameda whipsnakes for three field seasons. Mikayla, Kayla, and Dracena are American Conservation Experience interns who form the natural resource management field crew and assisted with Alameda whipsnake monitoring during the 2024 field season. Tori Seher is the park’s Natural Resource Specialist and listed authorized individual on the park’s ESA Section 10(a)(1)(A) recovery permit. She has participated in four Alameda whipsnake monitoring seasons while mentoring natural resource management staff.