The Trans-Pecos Rat Snake, Bogertophis subocularis (Brown, 1901). Photographed in Presidio County, Texas. Adults may reach a maximum length of 1.67 m, more commonly they are 0.9-1.3 m long. The species is endemic to the Chihuanuan Desert, from southern New Mexico and western Texas southward to Durango and Nuevo Leon, Mexico. It feeds on desert rodents, as well as bats and birds. For more photos and information on North American Rat Snakes (Pantherophis) click here or on the photo.
The Scarlet Snake, Cemophora coccinea (Blumenbach, 1788). Photographed in Citrus Co., Florida. This is a small (350-510 mm), nocturnal, fossorial species that specializes in feeding on reptile eggs, particularly snake eggs. Lawson et al. (2005 Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 37:581-601) present evidence that this is the sister to the North American rat snakes in the genus Pantherophis.
Variable Sand Snake, Chilomeniscus stramineus Cope, 1860. Photographed in southern Arizona. Body bridging behavior is illustrated, and is a defense against snake predators. This snake has also been called Chilomeniscus cinctus.
Western Shovel Nose Snake, Chionactis occipitalis (Hallowell, 1854). Photographed in San Diego Co., California. Adults are in the 250-430 mm range. It inhabits deserts and feeds upon arthropods. Females lay clutches of 2-9 eggs. A nocturnal snake that may be associated with creosote bush, bunch grasses, mesquite, or cactus plants, but it may also live in areas devoid of vegetation.
The Blue Racer, Coluber constrictor Linnaeus, 1758. Photographed in Fulton Co., Illinois. Referable to the subspecies C. c. foxii. A juvenile specimen. This is a widespread species ranging from southern Canada to Mexico and found on both coasts, although the species is absent from some of the more arid areas of the west. It is a generalist in terms of diet and will feed on just about any vertebrate, and many invertebrates. Some populations have an adult size of 1.8 m or more.
Texas Indigo Snake, Drymarchon erebennus (Cope 1860). Photograph of a captive animal. This is probably the second largest snake in the USA, with adults reaching 2.5 m. Interestingly, Lawson et al. (2005 Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 37:581-601) present evidence that the genus Drymarchon is the sister to the Rough Green Snake, Opheodrys aestivus.
Chihuahuan Hook Nosed Snake, Gyalopion canum (Cope, 1861). Photographed in southern Arizona, USA.
California Kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula (Linnaeus, 1766). Photograph of a captive animal. For more photos of kingsnakes in the genus Lampropeltis click here or on the photo.
Sonoran Whipsnake, Masticophis bilineatus Jan, 1863. Photograph of a captive animal.
Rough Green Snake, Opheodrys aestivus (Linnaeus, 1766). Photographed in Jackson County, Illinois. For more photos and information on Opheodrys click on the photograph, or here.
Spotted Leaf Nosed Snake, Phyllorhynchus decurtatus (Cope, 1868). Photographed in southern Arizona. It is found throughout the Colorado and Mojave deserts and parts of the Sonoran Desert in a variety of habitats including rocky and sandy flats and slopes with a mix of rocky and sandy soil, and scrub vegetation. But it is less common in areas of sandy soil. Adults are usually 300-400 mm in length, but may reach 510 mm. Food consists mostly of the banded gecko, Coleonyx variegatus and its eggs. However, it may also take other lizard species. Females lay 2-6 eggs.
Florida Pine Snake, Pituophis melanoleucus (Daudin, 1803). Photographed near Gainesville, Florida. P. melanoleucus is distributed from southwestern Canada to peninsular Florida and southward into Baja California and Mexico. The distribution is discontinuous and several subspecies are recognized. Some races may exceed 2.5 m. The specimen in the photo is P. m. mugitus. This terrestrial snake may dig its own burrow, or use the burrows of mammals. They feed on birds and mammals, and are powerful constrictors. For more Pituophis photos and text click on the photo or here.
Mountain Patch Nose Snake, Salvadora grahamiae Baird and Girard, 1853. S. grahamiae likes open woodlands on mountain slopes or in canyons. It ranges from Arizona to Texas and southward into Mexico, with a discontinuous distribution. It feeds on small vertebrates, including their eggs. Maximum size is about 1.19 m, most specimens are less than a meter in length. Photographed in southern Arizona.
Ground Snake, Sonora semiannulata Baird and Girard, 1853. Presidio County, Texas. The Ground Snake has a discontinuous distribution over much of the American West from Oregon to Missouri and southward into northern Mexico. It feeds upon arthropods (spiders, scorpions, and centipedes). This polymorphic snake reaches 480 mm, but most specimens are in the 200-300 mm range.
Short Tailed Snake, Stilosoma extenuatum Brown, 1890. Photographed in Central Florida. A poorly known and rare Florida endemic this slender snake seems to specialize in feeding on snakes in the genus Tantilla, but it will also eat skinks. Byson et al. (2007 Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 43:674-684) found weak evidence that this species is the sister to the Lampropeltis getula (kingsnake) clade.
Plains Black Headed Snake, Tantilla nigriceps Kennicott, 1860. Photographed in western Texas. The species ranges from southern Nebraska southward into northern Mexico. Adults may reach 384 mm, but specimens in the 200-270 mm are more common. Like other Tantilla species they feed on arthropods, particularly centipedes. They have enlarged, rear, grooved fangs and Duvernoy's glands, but pose no serious threat to human health.
Lyre Snake, Trimorphodon biscutatus (Dumeril, Bibron and Dumeril, 1854). Photographed in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA. Lyre snakes range from Utah and Nevada southward to Texas and through Central America to Costa Rica. They have enlarged, rear, grooved fangs and Duvernoy's glands. Maximum size is about 1.66 m, and females tend to be larger than males. This nocturnal snakes will climb into shrubs and it feed on lizards, birds, and mammals. Some prey are constricted as well as envenomated. Clutches of 7-20 eggs have been reported.
