Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Order Squamata Scientific name Arizona elegans arenicola | Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Suborder Serpentes Rank Subspecies | |
Similar Coluber constrictor oaxaca, Ficimia streckeri, Glossy snake, Hypsiglena jani, Rhinocheilus lecontei tessellatus | ||
Arizona elegans arenicola, commonly known as the Texas glossy snake, is a subspecies of glossy snake, a nonvenomous colubrid snake endemic to North America.
Contents
Geographic range
It is found in the Chihuahuan Desert region of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Its range overlaps that of other glossy snake subspecies, and interbreeding is likely. Thus, distinguishing subspecies which share range is often difficult.
Description
The Texas glossy snake is typically a tan brown in color, with darker brown blotches down the length of the back. Each blotch is usually edged with black. Its underside is usually solid cream or white in color. Their coloration can vary, lighter or darker, depending on the soil and elevation of their localized habitat. They can grow from 20 to 35 inches (51 to 89 centimetres) in length. They have a thin body, smooth scales, and eyes with round pupils.
A. e. arenicola has 50 or fewer dorsal blotches. Females have 221 or more ventrals, and males have 212 or more ventrals. The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 29 or 31 rows at midbody.
Habitat
Their preferred habitat is sandy and rocky semiarid regions, and it is often found in areas lightly vegetated with creosote and sagebrush.
Diet
Their diet consists of lizards, and small rodents.
Behavior
They are nocturnal, and can often be found foraging in roadside ditches in the late evening.
Reproduction
Mating occurs in the spring, and the female lays a clutch of up to 24 eggs which hatch in the fall. Hatchlings are 9–11 inches (23–28 centimetres) in total length.