Sonoran Lyre Snake
Trimorphodon lambda
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyColubridae (Colubrid Snakes)
- GenusTrimorphodon (Lyre Snakes)
- SpeciesTrimorphodon lambda (Sonoran Lyre Snake)
About the Sonoran Lyre Snake
Trimorphodon lambda, the Sonoran lyre snake, is a species of rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. Native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, the species is best known for the distinctive V-shaped or lyre-like marking on the top of its head. Previously classified as a subspecies of the western lyre snake (Trimorphodon biscutatus), it is now widely recognized as a distinct species.
The generic name, Trimorphodon, is derived from Greek and translates to "three-shaped teeth". This refers to the distinct variations of teeth found in the upper jaw: long and recurved front teeth, shorter middle teeth, and elongated, grooved fangs located at the rear of the mouth.
The specific epithet, lambda, refers to the prominent chevron-shaped mark on the snake's head, which resembles the uppercase Greek letter lambda (Λ). Historically, T. lambda was considered a subspecies of Trimorphodon biscutatus (However, modern multivariate statistical analyses of geographic variation and phylogenetic studies resulted in the elevation of the Sonoran lyre snake to full species status.
The Sonoran lyre snake is a medium to large, slender snake... 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
Desert Nightsnake
Hypsiglena chlorophaea
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
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 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Zion National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Grand Canyon National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Sonoran Lyre Snake in Saguaro National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Sonoran Lyre Snake sighting in Saguaro National Park, based on 48 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Sonoran Lyre Snake in Saguaro National Park?
August has the highest sighting rate for Sonoran Lyre Snake in Saguaro National Park in our monthly data.