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Sensitive Species

San Bernardino is home to a variety of sensitive plants and animals, each playing a vital role in the region’s natural balance and ecosystem health.

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Arroyo Toad

*Anaxyrus californicus*
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Arroyo Toad

*Anaxyrus californicus*
Habitat: Riparian areas, scatted vegetation
Diet: insects
Fun Fact: Can survive long dry periods by burrowing underground
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Burrowing Owl

*Athene cunicularia*
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Burrowing Owl

*Athene cunicularia*
Habitat: grasslands, underground burrows
Diet: small mammals
Fun Fact: Unlikes most owls where the female is larger, the female and the male burrowing owl are the same size.
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Cactus Wren

*Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus*
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Cactus Wren

*Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus*
Habitat: Deserts, arid foothills and washes
Diet: Fruit, seeds, insects
Fun Fact: Rarely drinking water, these birds get their liquids from fruit and insects
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Coastal California Gnatcatcher

*Polioptila californica californica*
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Coastal California Gnatcatcher

*Polioptila californica californica*
Habitat: coastal sage scrub
Diet: insects
Fun Fact: Both male and female gnatcatchers incubate their eggs.
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Least Bells Vireo

*Vireo bellii pusillus*
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Least Bells Vireo

*Vireo bellii pusillus*
Habitat: riparian forest, scrub
Diet: insects
Fun Fact: Usually the male and female construct the nest together.
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Los Angeles Pocket Mouse

*Perognathus longimembris pacificus*
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Los Angeles Pocket Mouse

*Perognathus longimembris pacificus*
Habitat: alluvial sage scrub, sandy washes
Diet: seeds, vegetation, insects
Fun Fact: One of the smallest species of pocket mice, weighing less than 10 grams.
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Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog

*Rana muscosa*
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Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog

*Rana muscosa*
Habitat: ponds, meadows, streams
Diet: insects and amphibians
Fun Fact: Tadpoles take two to four years to turn into juvenile frogs, depending on water temperature.
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San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat

*dipodomys merriami parvus*
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San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat

*dipodomys merriami parvus*
Habitat: Coastal sage scrub, sandy washes
Diet: seeds, vegetation, insects
Fun Fact: SBKR can communicate to each other by thumping their hind feet.
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Santa Ana River Woolly-Star

*Eriastrum densifolium ssp. sanctorum*
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Santa Ana River Woolly-Star

*Eriastrum densifolium ssp. sanctorum*
Habitat: sandy areas, floodplains with full sun
Fun Fact: The flowers bloom between May and August each year
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Slender Horned Spineflower

*Dodecahema leptoceras*
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Slender Horned Spineflower

*Dodecahema leptoceras*
Habitat: alluvial scrub, floodplains
Fun Fact: Flower stocks can grow up to 7 inches high.
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Southcoast Garter

*Thamnophis sirtalis ssp.*
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Southcoast Garter

*Thamnophis sirtalis ssp.*
Habitat: dense riparian vegetation, permanent water
Diet: amphibians, fish, invertebrates
Fun Fact: While this snake does produce venom, it is mild and not lethal to humans.
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Southwestern Willow Flycatcher

*Empidonax traillii*
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Southwestern Willow Flycatcher

*Empidonax traillii*
Habitat: dense riparian vegetation
Diet: insects
Fun Fact: Typically, Southwestern Willow Flycatchers only raise one brood per year.
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Tricolored Blackbird

*Agelaius tricolor*
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Tricolored Blackbird

*Agelaius tricolor*
Habitat: marshes, shrubs
Diet: insects
Fun Fact: These birds form one of the largest bredding colonies in North America.
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Western Pond Turtle

*Actinemys marmorata*
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Western Pond Turtle

*Actinemys marmorata*
Habitat: streams, ponds, lakes, wetlands
Diet: insects, tadpoles, fish, and plants
Fun Fact: Can live up to 50 years.
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Western Spadefoot

*Spea hammondii*
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Western Spadefoot

*Spea hammondii*
Habitat: Grasslands, chaparral, scrub, oak woodlands
Diet: insects
Fun Fact: The Western spadefoot can emit a peanut-scented secreation to deter predators
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Western Yellowbilled Cuckoo

*Coccyzus americanus occidentalis*
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Western Yellowbilled Cuckoo

*Coccyzus americanus occidentalis*
Habitat: open woodlands
Diet: insects
Fun Fact: One of the few bird species that can eat hairy caterpillars.
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Yellow-Breasted Chat

*Icteria virens*
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Yellow-Breasted Chat

*Icteria virens*
Habitat: Streamside vegetation
Diet: insects and berries
Fun Fact: These birds will sing during the day and at night.
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