Coast Patch-Nosed Snake (Salvadora hexalepis virgultea)

Coast Patch-Nosed Snake
Photograph by Chris Brown. License: Public Domain. (view image details)

COAST PATCH-NOSED SNAKE FACTS

Description
The Coast Patch-Nosed Snake is a slender snake. It has a yellow or beige stripe down the back bordered by dark tan or brown side stripes. The underside is dull white becoming orange towards the tail. It has large, dark eyes with round pupils. Juveniles are similar to adults. The male has keeled scales above vent and at base of tail. It is similar in appearance to the striped phase of Lampropeltis getula. It is a fast-moving diurnal species.

Size
56-87 cm

Environment
semi-arid brush areas, canyons, rocky hillsides, plains.

Food
Eats mainly lizards and small mammals. May also eat small snakes, young birds, amphibians.

Breeding
Lays eggs, probably May to August.

Range
from the northern Carrizo Plains of California through the California coastal zone into coastal northern Baja California.

Notes
Harmless to humans. Typically gentle when handled.

Classification

Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata (Serpentes)
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Salvadora
Species:	hexalepis virgultea
Common Name:	Coast Patch-Nosed Snake

Relatives in same Genus
Mountain Patchnose Snake (S. grahamiae)

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