Western patch-nosed snake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Western patch-nosed snake |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Salvadora (snake)
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| Species: |
hexalepis
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| Synonyms | |
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The Western patch-nosed snake (scientific name: Salvadora hexalepis) is a type of snake. It's not venomous, so it's harmless to humans. This snake lives only in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It gets its name from a special scale on its nose.
Contents
Where it Lives
This snake lives in the southwestern United States. You can find it in states like Arizona, southern California, Nevada, southern New Mexico, and southwestern Texas. It also lives in northern Mexico. There, it's found in areas like Baja California, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Sonora.
Different Kinds of Western Patch-Nosed Snakes
Scientists have found four different types, or subspecies, of the Western patch-nosed snake. These types are slightly different from each other.
What it Looks Like
Adult Western patch-nosed snakes are usually about 20 to 46 inches (51 to 117 centimeters) long. That's about as long as a baseball bat! The longest one ever found was 58 inches (147 centimeters).
They have a special, thick scale on their snout (nose). This scale curves backward and is loose at the edges. This unique nose scale helps them dig in the dirt.
All Western patch-nosed snakes are yellowish. They have dark, blackish stripes along their sides. The stripes can look a bit different depending on the specific type of snake. Their scales are smooth, and a special scale near their tail is divided.
Behavior and Diet
The Western patch-nosed snake lives in dry, desert areas. It's very active and moves around a lot.
These snakes are good hunters. They eat lizards and other small snakes. They also like to eat reptile eggs. Sometimes, they will hunt small rodents too.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Female Western patch-nosed snakes lay eggs. They usually lay between 4 and 10 eggs at a time. This happens in the spring or early summer. The baby snakes hatch from the eggs later, usually in August or September.
See also
In Spanish: Serpiente occidental parche de nariz para niños
