Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Serpentes Scientific name Hypsiglena Rank Genus | Phylum Chordata Higher classification Xenodontinae | |
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Lower classifications Night snake, Hypsiglena unaocularus | ||
Night snake hypsiglena torquata swallowing a frog
Hypsiglena is a genus of small, rear-fanged, colubrid snakes commonly referred to as night snakes. The genus consists of nine species, and subspecies have been maintained pending further investigation.
Contents
- Night snake hypsiglena torquata swallowing a frog
- Tx nightsnake hypsiglena t janii
- Species and subspecies
- Geographic range
- Habitat
- Description
- Behavior
- Diet
- Venom
- References
Tx nightsnake hypsiglena t janii
Species and subspecies
Geographic range
Hypsiglena are found throughout the southwestern and western United States, from Texas and Kansas, west to California, north to Washington, and south into Mexico, as well as on islands off the coasts of Mexico.
Habitat
Their preferred habitat is semiarid desert regions with rocky and sandy soils.
Description
Night snakes typically do not exceed a total length of 40 cm (16 in). They are slender-bodied with a flattened head, and have small eyes with vertical pupils. Their color varies depending on their locality, often matching the soil color of their native habitat. They occur in various shades of gray, and brown, with dark brown, gray or black blotches on the back and the sides. Many also have distinctive black markings on the neck region.
Behavior
Hypsiglena are nocturnal and terrestrial.
Diet
Their diet consists primarily of lizards, but they will also consume smaller snakes, and amphibians.
Venom
Their venom is not considered to be dangerous to humans.
