Western Patch-Nosed Snake (Salvadora Hexalepis)

Today on top of Serrano Ridge, at 1:45 PM, about 300 feet north from the intersection of Little Sycamore Canyon Trail and Serrano Ridge, a Western Patch-Nosed Snake crossed the road. It was no warmer than 58 degrees Fahrenheit, and with a little breeze, it felt a lot colder!


Estimated size was approximately 24 inches long at full extension.



Here is a bit of information about the Western Patch-Nosed Snake, taken from CaliforniaHerps.com (http://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/s.h.hexalepis.html):

Nonvenomous

Considered harmless to humans.

Size

Salvadora hexalepis ranges in size from 10 - 46 inches long (25 - 117 cm). Most snakes seen will be around 26 - 36 inches (66 - 91 cm).

Appearance

A fast, moderately-sized slender striped snake with smooth scales, large eyes, and a large scale over the tip of the snout. Well-camouflaged, this snake is pale gray with a broad yellow or tan stripe down the middle of the back, and dark stripes on the sides. The top of the head is gray. The underside is cream, sometimes shading to pale orange at the tail end.

Behavior

Little is known about the natural history of this species. Active during daylight, even in times of extreme heat. Terrestrial, but may climb shrubs in pursuit of prey. Burrows into loose soil. Able to move very quickly. Their acute vision allows them to escape quickly when they feel threatened, making this snake sometimes difficult to capture during the heat of the day. When cornered, they will inflate the body and strike.

Diet

Eats mostly lizards, along with small mammals, and possibly small snakes, nestling birds, and amphibians.

Reproduction

Lays eggs, probably May to August.

Range

Occurs in California in the southeast, from the desert slopes of the mountains north to roughly Riverside County, south into Baja California and Sonora, Mexico, and east into southeastern Arizona.

Habitat

Inhabits open arid and semi-arid areas - deserts, brushland, grassland, and scrub in canyons, rocky hillsides, sandy plains.

Taxonomic Notes

There are four subspecies of Salvadora hexalepis, with three occuring in California: S. h. hexalepis - Desert Patch-nosed Snake, S. h. mojavensis - Mohave Patch-nosed Snake, and S. h. virgultea - Coast Patch-nosed Snake. S. h. deserticola - Big Bend Patch-nosed Snake, which occurs in the Southwest, is recognized by many taxonomists as a unique species, Salvadora deserticola, leaving them to recognize only three subspecies of Salvadora hexalepis.

Conservation Issues (Conservation Status)

None.