Texas glossy snake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arizona elegans arenicola |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Arizona |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
A. e. arenicola
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| Trinomial name | |
| Arizona elegans arenicola Dixon, 1960
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The Arizona elegans arenicola, also known as the Texas glossy snake, is a type of snake. It's a special kind of subspecies of the glossy snake. This snake is not venomous, meaning it's not poisonous. It belongs to a group of snakes called colubrids. The Texas glossy snake is found only in North America, which means it is endemic to this continent.
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Where the Texas Glossy Snake Lives
The Texas glossy snake makes its home in the Chihuahuan Desert. This desert stretches across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Sometimes, its living area overlaps with other types of glossy snakes. When this happens, different types of glossy snakes might interbreed, making it tricky to tell them apart.
What the Texas Glossy Snake Looks Like
The Texas glossy snake is usually a tan-brown color. It has darker brown blotches, or spots, along its back. Each blotch often has a black edge. The snake's belly is usually a solid cream or white color.
Their color can change a bit. It might be lighter or darker depending on the soil and how high up they live. These snakes can grow to be about 20 to 35 inches (51 to 89 cm) long. They have a thin body and smooth scales. Their eyes have round pupils, which is a cool feature!
Where They Like to Hang Out
Texas glossy snakes prefer to live in sandy and rocky areas. These places are often semi-dry, meaning they don't get a lot of rain. You can often find them in spots with plants like creosote bush and sagebrush. These plants are common in their desert habitat.
What the Texas Glossy Snake Eats
The Texas glossy snake has a simple diet. They mostly eat lizards. They also enjoy snacking on small rodents.
How They Behave
These snakes are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night. You might spot them looking for food in roadside ditches during the late evening. They are usually hidden during the day.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Texas glossy snakes mate in the spring. After mating, the female snake lays her eggs. She can lay up to 24 eggs in one group, called a clutch. The eggs usually hatch in the fall. When the baby snakes hatch, they are about 9 to 11 inches (23 to 28 cm) long.
