Chihuahuan Nightsnake
Hypsiglena jani
Silhouette: Jose Carlos Arenas-Monroy · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyColubridae (Colubrid Snakes)
- GenusHypsiglena (Night Snakes)
- SpeciesHypsiglena jani (Chihuahuan Nightsnake)
About the Chihuahuan Nightsnake
Hypsiglena jani, commonly known as the Texas night snake or the Chihuahuan night snake, is a small species of mildly venomous snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to the southwestern United States and adjacent northeastern Mexico.
The epithet, jani, is in honor of Italian taxonomist Giorgio Jan. H. jani grows from 10 to 16 inches (25 to 41 centimetres) in total length (including tail), record 20 inches (51 cm). It is typically a light gray or tan in color, with dark brown or dark gray blotching down the back, and has an unmarked underside. It has smooth dorsal scales. The eye has a vertically elliptical pupil. H. jani is rear-fanged, and is considered to be venomous, though it is not dangerous to humans.
As the common names imply, H. jani is a primarily nocturnal snake. The diet of H. jani consists of primarily lizards, but it will also eat smaller snakes and occasionally soft bodied insects. H. jani prefers semi-arid habitats with rocky soils.
H. jani is an oviparous species that breeds in the spring rainy season, laying 4–6 eggs that take approximately... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Chihuahuan Nightsnake in Big Bend National Park
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Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Bend National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Guadalupe Mountains National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Chihuahuan Nightsnake in Big Bend National Park?
About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Chihuahuan Nightsnake sighting in Big Bend National Park, based on 95 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Chihuahuan Nightsnake in Big Bend National Park?
September has the highest sighting rate for Chihuahuan Nightsnake in Big Bend National Park in our monthly data.