Trimorphodon biscutatus

Western Lyre Snake
	Texas Lyre Snake, Trimorphodon biscutatus vilkinsonii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Trimorphodon
Species:	T. biscutatus
Binomial name
	Trimorphodon biscutatus; (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854)

The Western Lyre Snake (Trimorphodon biscutatus) is a mildly venomous colubrid snake native to the western United States, northern Mexico, and Central America.

Description

They are a moderately sized snake, attaining lengths of approximately 1 meter at adult size. They are generally a brown, tan or grey in color with dark brown blotching down the back. They have large eyes with vertical pupils.

Behavior

They are nocturnal and secretive, spending most of their time in rock crevices, and other areas difficult for potential predators to access. Their diet consists of lizards, small rodents, frogs, and bats. Their venom is not considered to be harmful to humans.

Geographic range

Western lyre snakes are found in the United States from the western Texas, across the southwestern states of New Mexico and Arizona to California, and north into southern Nevada. In Mexico they are found primarily in the Baja California and Chihuahua regions. The most recently identified subspecies of western lyre snake, Trimorphodon biscutatus quadruplex is found throughout Central America.