Bogertophis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bogertophis |
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| Trans-Pecos rat snake Bogertophis subocularis |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Tribe: | Lampropeltini |
| Genus: | Bogertophis Dowling & R. Price, 1988 |
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Bogertophis is a group of snakes known as rat snakes. These snakes belong to the family called Colubridae. They are found only in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. There are two known species of Bogertophis snakes.
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What's in a Name?
The name Bogertophis was chosen to honor an American scientist. His name was Charles Mitchill Bogert. He was a herpetologist, which means he studied reptiles and amphibians.
Types of Bogertophis Snakes
There are two main types of Bogertophis snakes that scientists recognize:
- Bogertophis rosaliae: This snake is also known as the Baja California rat snake. It was first described by Mocquard in 1899.
- Bogertophis subocularis: This snake is called the Trans-Pecos rat snake. A. Brown first described it in 1901.
When you see a name in parentheses, like (Mocquard, 1899), it means the snake was first described under a different group name.
How They Look
Bogertophis snakes are long and slender. They have large eyes with round pupils. These snakes can grow to be quite long, up to about 1.68 meters (which is about 5.5 feet) from head to tail.
Colors of B. rosaliae
The B. rosaliae snake can have many different colors. You might find them in shades of tan, red, orange, or brown.
Colors of B. subocularis
The B. subocularis snake is usually tan. It has black blotches on its back that connect to each other. It also has two black stripes running down its neck. In some places, you might find a "blonde" version that is light yellow. There is also a very light, almost white, version sometimes called the "silver" variant.
What They Do and Eat
Bogertophis snakes are usually nocturnal. This means they are active at night. They hunt for food when it's cooler. They eat many different small animals. Their diet includes rodents, bats, and sometimes lizards, especially when they are young. These snakes live in dry, semi-arid habitats. So, they spend most of the hot day hiding to stay cool.
How They Reproduce
Bogertophis snakes are oviparous. This means that the female snakes lay eggs.
As Pets and in Zoos
Both types of Bogertophis snakes are popular in the exotic pet trade. They are often calm and eat well. This makes them a good choice for people who want to keep a snake as a pet. You can also see these snakes in many zoos.
