DESERT NIGHTSNAKE Hypsiglena chlorophaea

DESCRIPTION:
A small (up to 598 mm or 23" in total length) gray, or tan snake with small, dark, gray-brown blotches on the back (dorsal blotches). The dorsal blotches are usually in a single row but are sometimes offset at the midline of the back creating two rows of small, alternating blotches.

A dark collar, usually consisting three gray-brown blotches marks the neck. In some south-central Arizona specimens the lateral collar-blotches are fused to the dorsal collar-blotch. The central collar-blotch is relatively broad (compared to our other Hypsiglena) with a thin spine extending anteriorly. A dark gray-brown bar extends back from each eye and expands into the lateral collar blotch. The underside is plain pale gray. The head is relatively flat. The pupils are vertically elliptical and the scales are smooth.

DISTRIBUTION:
This snake is distributed across most of western and southern Arizona and across the northern borderlands. It is found ar elevations ranging from sea level to about 8,500'.

HABITAT:
The Desert Nightsnake inhabits a wide variety of biotic communities ranging from hot and dry Lower Colorado River Sonoran Desertscrub, through the grasslands, and woodlands, and into cool Petran Montane Conifer Forest. It is found in an equally wide variety of terrain types ranging from the flat, open, sandy deserts to steep, rocky, wooded slopes. It seems to be most abundant in moderate terrain within desertscrub and grassland communities.

BEHAVIOR:
This strictly nocturnal snake hibernates during the cold months of late fall and winter. It is often encountered on remote roadways at night. It is mildly venomous but rarely bites when captured and its venom is not considered to be dangerous to humans.

DIET:
The Desert Nightsnake uses mild venom injected by enlarged teeth in the rear upper jaw to subdue lizards and small snakes. It also eats reptile eggs, frogs, and a variety of insects.

REPRODUCTION:
Mating takes place in spring and a clutch of up to 9 eggs is laid in spring or summer.