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A western fence lizard — AKA blue belly — presides over its domain from atop a stump.

Our friendly neighborhood fence lizard: Why Californians love this reptile

According to one app for nature observers, it’s the most commonly seen creature in California: the western fence lizard. Why? The answer reflects how humans have invaded its space and how it has adapted to ours.

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA - August 29: A couple fishes in the shade to beat the heat amid a triple digit heat wave at Rancho Santa Margarita Lake in Rancho Santa Margarita Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Rabid bat found in Orange County, health officials say

Critically endangered Fijian iguanas that were trafficked from Fiji, rescued in Spain, and then brought to San Diego at the direction of the Fijian government.

Rare Fijian iguanas, rescued from wildlife traffickers in Spain, arrive at San Diego Zoo

From Santa Ana Police X: "SANTA ANA, Calif. (April 23, 2025)—A 45-year-old man was arrested for animal cruelty involving cats. Over several weeks, the Santa Ana Police Department received multiple disturbing reports involving the suspected abuse and killing of cats in a local neighborhood. The reports alleged that a man had been luring neighborhood cats to and around his property, where he then harmed or killed them. The case was immediately assigned to a Police Investigative Specialist (PIS) for follow-up. During the investigation, Alejandro Oliveros Acosta (45) of Santa Ana was positively identified by several victims and witnesses as the suspect responsible for acts of animal cruelty. Based on the evidence gathered, detectives obtained a search warrant for Acosta’s residence.This morning, April 23, 2025, in collaboration with the Westminster Police Department and our Animal Control Division, detectives executed the search warrant at a home located in the 2300 block of W. Wilshire Avenue. Detectives collected evidence related to the case from inside the residence and took Acosta into custody."

Serial cat killer suspect arrested, potentially linked to a dozen-plus slayings, authorities say

Veronica Ordaz Gonzalez and her brother Jose Ramos Santiago were awarded $800,000 in damages in March 2023 after Fresno County Sheriff's entered Ordaz Gonzalez's home and killed the family dog Scooby in June 2018. Fresno County recently appealed to the Fifth District Court of Appeals, who sided with the family and affirmed the judgement on Wednesday.

Shooting death of pet dog, Scooby, could cost Fresno County taxpayers $2 million

Last two elephants to leave L.A. Zoo after years of controversy. But their new home is the subject of debate

At Puppy Fades dog salon, the formerly incarcerated get a second chance

Steelhead trout rescued from Palisades fire spawn in their new Santa Barbara County home

Voices

Contributor: Save the Earth’s ‘creepy-crawlies.’ Some of them just might save us

A December 2025 surveillance camera screen shot of a wolf howling in Northern Calif.

California

Beautiful, deadly: Wolves stalk rural California

California wolves are on the comeback. And no matter how hard wildlife officials try to direct them toward their natural prey, the wolves seem to find the domesticated cattle wandering through open pastures a lot more appealing.

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