Ground Snake
Sonora semiannulata
Silhouette: Alex Slavenko · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyColubridae (Colubrid Snakes)
- GenusSonora (Ground Snakes)
- SpeciesSonora semiannulata (Ground Snake)
About the Ground Snake
The western ground snake (Sonora semiannulata) is a species of small, harmless colubrid snake. The species is endemic to North America. Its patterning and coloration can vary widely, even within the same geographic region. Another common name is miter snake referring to the head marking which suggests a bishop's miter; the synonym "episcopus " (Latin for "bishop") is a similar allusion.
S. semiannulata is native to the Southwestern United States, in Arizona, Nevada, California, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Utah, as well as northern Mexico, in Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León, and Sonora.
The western ground snake can grow to a total length (including tail) of 8 to 19 inches (20.3 to 48.3 cm). The color and pattern can vary widely. Individuals can be brown, red, or orange, with black banding, orange or brown striping, or be solid-colored. The underside is typically white or gray. It has smooth dorsal scales, a small head, and the pupil of the eye is round.
The preferred habitat of S. semiannulata is dry, rocky areas with loose soil. The western ground snake is typically... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Ground Snake in Death Valley National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Death Valley National Park
Western Shovel-nosed Snake
Sonora occipitalis
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
Coachwhip
Masticophis flagellum
Western Patch-nosed Snake
Salvadora hexalepis
California King Snake
Lampropeltis californiae
Western Leaf-nosed Snake
Phyllorhynchus decurtatus
Glossy Snake
Arizona elegans
Long-nosed Snake
Rhinocheilus lecontei
Baja California Lyre Snake
Trimorphodon lyrophanes
Desert Nightsnake
Hypsiglena chlorophaea
Striped Whipsnake
Masticophis taeniatus
Southwestern Blackhead Snake
Tantilla hobartsmithi
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Joshua Tree National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Ground Snake in Death Valley National Park?
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Ground Snake sighting in Death Valley National Park, based on 21 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Ground Snake in Death Valley National Park?
August has the highest sighting rate for Ground Snake in Death Valley National Park in our monthly data.