Desert Nightsnake
Hypsiglena chlorophaea
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyColubridae (Colubrid Snakes)
- GenusHypsiglena (Night Snakes)
- SpeciesHypsiglena chlorophaea (Desert Nightsnake)
About the Desert Nightsnake
Hypsiglena chlorophaea, commonly known as the desert nightsnake, is a species of rear-fanged colubrid snake native to North America. It is found throughout regions of Mexico, the United States, and in a small, isolated population in British Columbia, Canada. Known for its highly secretive, nocturnal nature, it is a mildly venomous species that poses no danger to humans.
The desert nightsnake is a small, slender snake, typically measuring between 30 and 66 cm (12 to 26 inches) in total length. Females are generally longer and heavier than males. Its base coloration ranges from beige or yellowish to grey, overlaid with dark grey-brown blotches that usually form offset pairs down its back. It has three distinct, elongated dark blotches on its neck and behind each eye.
Because of its triangular-shaped head, vertical pupils, and blotched patterning, it is frequently mistaken for a juvenile rattlesnake. However, the desert nightsnake lacks a rattle and possesses smooth dorsal scales. It is an opisthoglyphous (rear-fanged) snake, meaning its enlarged, grooved teeth are located at the back of the upper jaw to help subdue prey.
The desert nightsnake has three... Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Saguaro National Park
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
Long-nosed Snake
Rhinocheilus lecontei
Coachwhip
Masticophis flagellum
Black-necked Gartersnake
Thamnophis cyrtopsis
Desert Kingsnake
Lampropeltis splendida
Sonoran Whipsnake
Masticophis bilineatus
California King Snake
Lampropeltis californiae
Banded Sand Snake
Sonora cincta
Western Patch-nosed Snake
Salvadora hexalepis
Checkered Garter Snake
Thamnophis marcianus
Sonoran Lyre Snake
Trimorphodon lambda
Ringneck Snake
Diadophis punctatus
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Death Valley National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Zion National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Grand Canyon National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 5 | Joshua Tree National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Desert Nightsnake in Saguaro National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Desert Nightsnake sighting in Saguaro National Park, based on 128 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Desert Nightsnake in Saguaro National Park?
August has the highest sighting rate for Desert Nightsnake in Saguaro National Park in our monthly data.