''Salvadora hexalepis'', the western patch-nosed snake, is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

of non-

venom Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a st ...

ous

colubrid Colubridae (, commonly known as colubrids , from la, coluber, 'snake') is a family of snakes. With 249 genera, it is the largest snake family. The earliest species of the family date back to the Oligocene epoch. Colubrid snakes are found on ev ...

snake Snakes are elongated, limbless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes . Like all other squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales. Many species of snakes have skulls with several more j ...

, which is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found else ...

to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

Geographic range

It is found in the southwestern United States in the states of

Arizona Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a state in the Southwestern United States. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona is part of the Fou ...

, southern

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...

Nevada Nevada ( ; ) is a state in the Western region of the United States. It is bordered by Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast, and Utah to the east. Nevada is the 7th-most extensive, ...

, southern

New Mexico ) , population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano) , seat = Santa Fe , LargestCity = Albuquerque , LargestMetro = Tiguex , OfficialLang = None , Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ke ...

, and southwestern

Texas Texas (, ; Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2020, it is the second-largest U.S. state by ...

. It is also found in northern Mexico in the Mexican states of

Baja California Baja California (; 'Lower California'), officially the Free and Sovereign State of Baja California ( es, Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California), is a state in Mexico. It is the northernmost and westernmost of the 32 federal entities of Mex ...

, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Sonora.The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.

Subspecies

The following four subspecies are recognized: * '' Salvadora hexalepis hexalepis'' (

Cope The cope (known in Latin as ''pluviale'' 'rain coat' or ''cappa'' 'cape') is a liturgical vestment, more precisely a long mantle or cloak, open in front and fastened at the breast with a band or clasp. It may be of any liturgical colour. A c ...

, 1866) * '' Salvadora hexalepis klauberi'' Bogert, 1945 * '' Salvadora hexalepis mojavensis'' Bogert, 1945 * '' Salvadora hexalepis virgultea'' Bogert, 1935

Description

Adults of ''Salvadora hexalepis'' are, on average, 20-46 inches (51–117 cm) in total length; Wright, A.H., and A.A. Wright. 1957. ''Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada''. Comstock. Ithaca and London. 1,105 pp. (in 2 volumes) (''Salvadora hexalepis'', pp. 651-663, Figures 190.-193. + Map 49. on p. 646.) the record total length is . They have a distinctive, thick scale curved back over the top of the snout, and free at the edges. Schmidt, K. P., & D.D. Davis. 1941. ''Field Book of Snakes of the United States and Canada''. G.P. Putnam's Sons. New York. 365 pp. (''Salvadora'', pp. 135-139.) All subspecies are yellowish with blackish lateral stripes in various arrangements. The dorsal scales are smooth, and the anal plate is divided.

Behavior

The western patch-nosed snake inhabits

arid A region is arid when it severely lacks available water, to the extent of hindering or preventing the growth and development of plant and animal life. Regions with arid climates tend to lack vegetation and are called xeric or desertic. Most ...

deserts in its area. It feeds upon lizards, snakes, reptile

eggs Humans and human ancestors have scavenged and eaten animal eggs for millions of years. Humans in Southeast Asia had domesticated chickens and harvested their eggs for food by 1,500 BCE. The most widely consumed eggs are those of fowl, especial ...

, and small

rodent Rodents (from Latin , 'to gnaw') are mammals of the order Rodentia (), which are characterized by a single pair of continuously growing incisors in each of the upper and lower jaws. About 40% of all mammal species are rodents. They are n ...

s. Conant, R. 1975. ''A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Second Edition''. Houghton Mifflin. Boston. 429 pp. (paperback). ("Genus ''Salvadora''", pp. 187-188.)

Reproduction

4-10 eggs are laid during spring or early summer and hatch in August through September.

Geographic range

Subspecies

Description

Behavior

Reproduction

References

Further reading