Arizona elegans arenicola
| Texas glossy snake | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Subfamily: | Colubrinae |
| Genus: | Arizona |
| Species: | A. elegans |
| Subspecies: | A. e. arenicola |
| Binomial name | |
| Arizona elegans arenicola Dixon, 1960 |
|
The Texas glossy snake (Arizona elegans arenicola) is a subspecies of glossy snake, a nonvenomous colubrid snake.
Contents |
[edit] Geographic range
It is found in the Chihuahuan Desert region of the southern 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.
[edit] 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 in length (50 to 90 cm). They have a thin body, smooth scales, and eyes with round pupils.
[edit] Behavior
Their preferred habitat is sandy and rocky semiarid regions, and it is often found in areas lightly vegetated with creosote and sagebrush. Their diet consists of lizards, and small rodents. They are nocturnal, and can often be found foraging in roadside ditches in the late evening. 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 cm) in length.
[edit] References
- Species Arizona elegans at The Reptile Database
