Ochotona princeps Pika's are a fascinating little mammal that is only found at extremely high elevations. They spend their short summer season foraging for grasses and stockpiling for the long cold winter. As high elevations specialists occupying a specialized niche, Pikas are considered to be an important indicator species of climate change. Yosemite National Park, California
Delphinus capensis A pair of common dolphins perform a tandem leap while riding in the wake of the boat. Normally common in the slightly warmer waters of Southern California and Mexico, these dolphins were present by the thousand in Monterey Bay in 2015 when El Nino raised water temps above the norm for the Central Coast. Monterey Bay, California
Crotalus cerastes cerastes Sidewinders are one very cool and highly adapted snake species. Their name comes from their distinctive method of locomotion, where only 2 small sections of their body contact the ground at any given time. The snake can move very rapidly while avoiding the hot sand using this method of travel. Mojave Desert, California
