Mountain Patch-nosed Snake
(Salvadora grahamiae)
|
|
|
Mountain Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora grahamiae) |
Color Photographs: Jeff Servoss, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
|
Salvadora hexalepis The distributions of these two species are nearly allopatric (separate) except possibly in southeastern Arizona. The dark subdorsal stripe is typically wider in the Western Patch-nosed Snake than in the Mountain Patch-nosed Snake. In addition there are 9 upper labial scales in the Western Patch-nosed Snake and only 1 (or none) touch the eye versus 8 and 2 respectively in the Mountain Patch-nosed Snake.
Salvadora deserticola The Big Bend Patch-nosed Snake has 9 upper labial scales, two touching the eye.
Phyllorhynchus browni The species of the genus Phyllorhynchus have an enlarged rostral scale, but the rostral scale is free, not appressed to snout. These species are banded or blotched, not lined. Mountain Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora grahamiae) Identification: Snake 22 to 47 inches in length. Head with a triangular, enlarged rostral scaling curved backward and not free from the snout. A lined snake. Top of head brown. Top of body with a white to orange, bordered below by a brown to black narrow black line 2 or more scales rows wide. Head with 8 upper labial scales, 2 of which touch the eye. Usually without a narrow dark line on the 3rd scale row below the conspicous dark band. Geographical Variation:
Range (see map on left): This species ranges from southeastern Arizona in the west, eastward throughout most of southern and central New Mexico, and into southern and central Texas. The species also occurs in northern Mexico. Habitat: The western populations of the Mountain Patch-nosed Snake are typically found in montane forest above 4000 feet. The eastern Texas population is found in scrubland and prairie. Food: Small lizards and their eggs. Behavior: The Mountain Patch-nosed Snake is active during the daytime and is a very active and fast mover. It spends most of its time on the ground. Reproduction: The clutch consists of 4 to 10 eggs apparently laid throughout the summer.
|
Mountain Patch-nosed Snake
Similar Species: Western Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora hexalepis) Big Bend Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora deserticola) Saddled Leaf-nosed Snake (Phyllorhynchus browni) |
Similar Species |
 |
