Subphylum Vertebrata Higher classification Sonora Order Scaled reptiles | ||
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Similar snake, Sonora, Reptile, Colubridae, Long‑nosed snake | ||
4k cc baby western ground snake catching reptile amphibian pets in az ca nv ut herping hd
The western ground snake (Sonora semiannulata) is a species of small, harmless colubrid snake. The species is endemic to North America. It is sometimes referred to as the common ground snake or variable ground snake as its patterning and coloration can vary widely, even within the same geographic region.
Contents
- 4k cc baby western ground snake catching reptile amphibian pets in az ca nv ut herping hd
- Bandit the western ground snake
- Geographic range
- Description
- Habitat
- Behavior
- Diet
- Reproduction
- Taxonomy
- References
Bandit the western ground snake
Geographic range
S. semiannulata is native to the Southwestern United States, in Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah, as well as northern Mexico, in Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León, and Sonora.
Description
The western ground snake can grow to a total length (including tail) of 10 to 15 inches (25 to 38 cm). The color and pattern can vary widely. Individuals can be brown, red, or orange, with black banding, orange or brown striping, or be solid-colored. The underside is typically white or gray. It has smooth dorsal scales, a small head, and the pupil of the eye is round.
Habitat
The preferred habitat of S. semiannulata is dry, rocky areas with loose soil.
Behavior
The western ground snakes is typically nocturnal and secretive, but it is common throughout its range. It is often found on roadsides, or in dry drainage ditches at night, foraging for food.
Diet
The diet of S. semiannulata consists primarily of invertebrates, such as spiders, scorpions, centipedes, crickets, and insect larvae.
Reproduction
The western ground snake is oviparous, breeding and laying eggs through the summer months.
Taxonomy
Sonora semiannulata was once broken up into five separate subspecies, based on the vast differences in color and patterning that the species displays, but recent research has shown that the various colors and patterns of ground snake interbreed indiscriminately, making distinction between them impossible and thus not warranting subspecies status, though some sources still refer to them, using geography as a basis rather than morphology.
