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Western Patch-nosed Snake

Salvadora hexalepis

The Western Patch-nosed Snake is found in a wide range from California and northern Nevada to Texas, extending south to Chiapas, Mexico. In the United States, its range includes the southwestern states such as Arizona, southern New Mexico, and extends into the Big Bend area of Texas. It inhabits areas from below sea level up to elevations of around 7,000 feet (2,130 m). Habitat: This snake prefers arid to semiarid habitats including desertscrub, grasslands, chaparral, sagebrush plains, and woodlands such as piñon-juniper and Great Basin Conifer Woodland. It is typically found in flatlands, low valleys, rocky bajadas, foothills, and mountainsides. It can thrive in both sandy and rocky environments. The Western Patch-nosed Snake is diurnal and highly alert, known for its rapid movement resembling that of a whipsnake. It primarily inhabits the ground but can occasionally be found climbing into vegetation. It hibernates during the colder months of late fall and winter. When threatened, it may strike and vibrate its tail. An active forager, this snake primarily feeds on reptile eggs, lizards, and small mammals, and occasionally on birds and other snakes. Its large rostral scale aids in excavating reptile eggs from loose soil. It possesses enlarged rear maxillary teeth, which help in subduing lizards and other prey. Mating occurs in the spring, with females laying clutches of 3-12 eggs between late spring and summer (May to August). Hatchlings emerge from July through September. Subspecies in Arizona Desert Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora hexalepis hexalepis): Typically found with one upper labial scale reaching the eye, a divided loreal scale, and a median stripe three scales wide. Mojave Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora hexalepis mojavensis): Characterized by upper labial scales that usually do not reach the eye, vague or broken dorsal patterns, and occasionally crossbars obscuring stripes. Big Bend Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora hexalepis deserticola): Often exhibits orange or peach coloration, with two upper labial scales usually reaching the eye and a narrow dark stripe on the fourth scale row.

The Western Patch-nosed Snake is a medium-sized, slender snake reaching up to 40 inches (1,014 mm) in length. It features a distinct broad, dark-bordered stripe running longitudinally along the back, which is tan, peach, or yellowish-tan. The dorsal stripe is about three scales wide and is sometimes interrupted by crossbands or mottling. There are additional thin, dark stripes on the sides, particularly noticeable between the third and fourth scale rows. The belly is pale cream, often suffused with pink or orange near the tail. The rostral scale on the snout is enlarged and triangular, aiding in digging. Smooth scales cover the body, except for a few keeled scales above the vent in adult males and large females. The species is distinguished from the Eastern Patch-nosed Snake by its irregular-edged stripes and side stripes.

The Western Patch-nosed Snake is found in a wide range from California and northern Nevada to Texas, extending south to Chiapas, Mexico. In the United States, its range includes the southwestern states such as Arizona, southern New Mexico, and extends into the Big Bend area of Texas. It inhabits areas from below sea level up to elevations of around 7,000 feet (2,130 m). Habitat: This snake prefers arid to semiarid habitats including desertscrub, grasslands, chaparral, sagebrush plains, and woodlands such as piñon-juniper and Great Basin Conifer Woodland. It is typically found in flatlands, low valleys, rocky bajadas, foothills, and mountainsides. It can thrive in both sandy and rocky environments. The Western Patch-nosed Snake is diurnal and highly alert, known for its rapid movement resembling that of a whipsnake. It primarily inhabits the ground but can occasionally be found climbing into vegetation. It hibernates during the colder months of late fall and winter. When threatened, it may strike and vibrate its tail. An active forager, this snake primarily feeds on reptile eggs, lizards, and small mammals, and occasionally on birds and other snakes. Its large rostral scale aids in excavating reptile eggs from loose soil. It possesses enlarged rear maxillary teeth, which help in subduing lizards and other prey. Mating occurs in the spring, with females laying clutches of 3-12 eggs between late spring and summer (May to August). Hatchlings emerge from July through September. Subspecies in Arizona Desert Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora hexalepis hexalepis): Typically found with one upper labial scale reaching the eye, a divided loreal scale, and a median stripe three scales wide. Mojave Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora hexalepis mojavensis): Characterized by upper labial scales that usually do not reach the eye, vague or broken dorsal patterns, and occasionally crossbars obscuring stripes. Big Bend Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora hexalepis deserticola): Often exhibits orange or peach coloration, with two upper labial scales usually reaching the eye and a narrow dark stripe on the fourth scale row.
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References:
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Stebbins, R. C., & McGinnis, S. M. (2018). Peterson Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians (4th ed.). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Brennan, T. C., & Holycross, A. T. (2006). A field guide to Amphibians and reptiles in Arizona (2nd ed.). Arizona Game and Fish Dept.
Brennan, T. C. (n.d.-b). Western Patch-nosed Snake. The reptiles and amphibians of Arizona. https://reptilesofaz.org/snakes-subpages/h-s-hexalepis/
Rorabaugh, J. (n.d.-b). Western patch-nosed snake. Tucson Herpetological Society. https://tucsonherpsociety.org/amphibians-reptiles/snakes/western-patch-nosed-snake/
Western patch-nosed snake (Salvadora hexalepis). iNaturalist. (n.d.-b). https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/606618-Salvadora-hexalepis

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