WHY DO WE CALL IT LIZARD CREEK , RANGE , LODGE ?
A NATURALIST ’ S CORRECTION
Ambystoma macrodactylum sigillatum : Long Toed Salamander
Yaq̓it ʔa · knuqⱡi ‘ it & City of Fernie
A Reconciliation simple biological Walk , July misidentification 1st 2021 from 150 years ago persists today in Lizard Creek , Lizard Range , and Lizard Creek Lodge . In a different world where Elk Valley colonizers are more attuned to biological nuances , our area would bear the name ‘ Salamander .’
Michael Phillipps first crossed over the Crowsnest Pass in 1873 with John Collins . Prospecting for gold , they were the first Europeans to note the location , and naming drainages along the way , Phillips observed : a number of little green lizzards ( sic ) on the snow slide near the head of the creek .* Phillipps was many things : a Hudson ’ s Bay factor , prospector , rancher , postmaster and husband / father to his Ktunaxa wife and family in the South Country . One thing he wasn ’ t was a naturalist . Someone who knows nature would have recognized the blunt-mouthed amphibian , with the long outer fourth toe on the hind foot , sporting a bright olive-green strip down its back , as a long-toed salamander .
These cute little amphibians , no longer than your hand , are found throughout the Elk Valley in forests , riparian areas , and the arid grasslands of the Rocky Mountain Trench . They live from the valley bottoms right up to alpine lakes feeding on worms , beetles , and other insects in the forest soil . Salamanders are still around us and along with other amphibians like frogs and toads , are bell-weathers of environmental health . Their wet , permeable skin is susceptible to environmental pollutants and they are vulnerable to climate change . Unfortunately , amphibians are negatively impacted by human developments in their habitat . Housing developments , roads , pollutants and fragmentation can alter their migration and breeding routes , and disturb feeding areas .
In the fall look for them denning with others where they will get below the frostline and hibernate ; surviving off the energy stored in their skin and tail , they will emerge in April to breed . Get outside this fall and ‘ go on a salamander hunt ’ to observe them still making a living up Lizard Creek .
* Fernie Free Press , 1905-6 , “ Memories of 30 Years Ago ” by Michael Phillipps .
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