Ficimia streckeri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ficimia streckeri |
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Ficimia
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streckeri
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The Ficimia streckeri, also called the Mexican hooknose snake, is a small snake. It's also known as the Tamaulipan hooknose snake or Texas hook-nosed snake. This snake belongs to the Colubridae family. You can find it in northeastern Mexico and southern Texas.
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What's in a Name?
The name streckeri honors an American naturalist. His name was John Kern Strecker Jr.
Where Does It Live?
This snake mainly lives in Mexican states. These include Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Puebla, eastern San Luis Potosí, and Tamaulipas. Its home also stretches north into southern Texas in the United States.
What Does It Look Like?
The Mexican hooknose snake is usually small. It measures about 5 to 11 inches (13 to 28 cm) long. The longest one ever found was almost 19 inches (47.9 cm) long.
It is often brown or gray. It has up to 60 brown or brownish-green blotches on its back. These blotches are long and can look like stripes. Its belly is white or cream-colored.
Its most special feature is its nose. It has an upturned snout, much like hognose snakes. This is why it's called the hooknose snake. But unlike hognose snakes, this snake has smooth scales on its back.
The scales on its head are also unique. It does not have internasal scales. The rostral scale separates the prefrontal scales. It also touches the frontal scale. The smooth scales on its back are in 17 rows around the middle of its body.
Behavior
The Mexican hooknose snake is mostly active at night. This means it is nocturnal. It also likes to burrow into the ground. It moves quite slowly. This snake is harmless to humans.
What Does It Eat?
The Mexican hooknose snake mainly eats spiders and centipedes.
Its Home (Habitat)
This snake lives in woodlands. These areas are along the Rio Grande river plain. It likes places near natural water sources. It also lives near man-made water sources.
How Does It Defend Itself?
When this snake feels bothered or is handled, it has a special defense. It makes a popping sound. It does this by expanding its cloaca.
Reproduction
The Mexican hooknose snake lays eggs. This means it is oviparous.
