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Western Shovelnose Snake
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Scientific Name:
Chionactis Occipitalis
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Common Name:
Western Shovelnose Snake
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Description:
A dark- and light-banded snake with a shovel-shaped snout, flatter than in most other snakes; lower jaw deeply inset (countersunk) and nasal valves well developed. Belly concaved. Head slightly widier than neck. Dark brown or black crossbands, usually 21 or more, on body, are saddle-like or encircle body. Ground color is whitish or yellow. Dorsal scales smooth, usually in 15 rows at midbody. Internasals not separated by rostral. Anal divided.Burrowing, nocturnal. Smooth scales, inset lower jaw, nasal valves, and angular abdomen are adaptations for "sand swimming" - wiggling through sand rather than tunneling in it.
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References:
Excerpts from A FIELD GUIDE TO WESTERN REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS, 3/e by Robert C. Stebbins. Copyright (c) 2003 by Robert C. Stebbins. Reproduced by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Diet:
insects (including larval stages), spiders, scorpions, centipedes, buried chysalids (pupae) of moths
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Size:
10" to 17"
