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Western Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata)
Snakes Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas
Western Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata)

General Description: Western Groundsnakes are harmless, small, smooth, and shiny snake with a reddish back. The dorsal color pattern is highly variable, ranging from plain red to red with black crossbars.

Taxonomy: Colubrid Snakes Family (Colubridae)

Technical Description: Length 8-18 inches. Usually 15 rows of scales at midbody, 13-14 rows at the rear. The anterior edge of each scale is dark. One preocular, two postocular scales. Head about as wide as neck. Anal divided. Lower jaw not inset.

Western Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata)

Diet: Small bugs.

Habitat: Rocky or sandy areas with some soil moisture.

Range: Eastern and southern Nevada, southeastern California, western and southern Arizona, southern New Mexico, almost all of Texas and Oklahoma, south into northern Mexico.

Breeding: 4-6 eggs laid during summer.

Similar Species: There are several red-and-black banded snakes, including Long-nosed Snake, Shovel-nosed Snakes, and Texas Coral Snake.

Comments: Also called Variable Groundsnake.

Western Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata) Western Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata)
Western Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata) Western Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata)
Western Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata) Western Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata)
Western Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata) Western Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata)
Western Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata) Western Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata)
Western Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata)
Western Groundsnake in a Las Vegas backyard
Western Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata)
Western Groundsnake in a Las Vegas backyard
Western Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata)
These snakes can be black-banded on red
Western Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata)
These snakes sometimes have no bands

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 221214

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