Glossy Snake
Arizona elegans
Silhouette: Alex Slavenko · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyColubridae (Colubrid Snakes)
- GenusArizona (Glossy Snakes)
- SpeciesArizona elegans (Glossy Snake)
About the Glossy Snake
Arizona elegans is a species of medium-sized colubrid snake commonly referred to as the glossy snake or the faded snake, which is native to southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It has several subspecies. Some have recommended that A. elegans occidentalis be granted full species status.
Subspecies of Arizona elegans include: Arizona elegans arenicola Dixon, 1960 – Texas glossy snake Arizona elegans candida Klauber, 1946 – Western Mojave glossy snake Arizona elegans eburnata Klauber, 1946 – Desert glossy snake
Arizona elegans elegans Kennicott, 1859 – Kansas glossy snake Arizona elegans expolita Klauber, 1946 – Chihuahua glossy snake Arizona elegans noctivaga Klauber, 1946 – Arizona glossy snake Arizona elegans occidentalis Blanchard, 1924 – California glossy snake
Arizona elegans philipi Klauber, 1946 – Painted Desert glossy snake The glossy snake and its many subspecies are all similar in appearance to gopher snakes. However, they are smaller than gopher snakes, with narrow, pointed heads, and a variety of skin patterns and colors. They appear "washed-out" or pale, hence the common name, "faded snakes".
Most subspecies are ca. 75–130 cm... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Glossy Snake in Joshua Tree National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Joshua Tree National Park
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
Coachwhip
Masticophis flagellum
Western Patch-nosed Snake
Salvadora hexalepis
Western Shovel-nosed Snake
Sonora occipitalis
California King Snake
Lampropeltis californiae
Long-nosed Snake
Rhinocheilus lecontei
Western Leaf-nosed Snake
Phyllorhynchus decurtatus
Desert Nightsnake
Hypsiglena chlorophaea
Striped Racer
Masticophis lateralis
Baja California Lyre Snake
Trimorphodon lyrophanes
Two-striped Garter Snake
Thamnophis hammondii
Ground Snake
Sonora semiannulata
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua Tree National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Glossy Snake in Joshua Tree National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Glossy Snake sighting in Joshua Tree National Park, based on 49 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Glossy Snake in Joshua Tree National Park?
August has the highest sighting rate for Glossy Snake in Joshua Tree National Park in our monthly data.