Western Patch-nosed Snake
Salvadora hexalepis
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyColubridae (Colubrid Snakes)
- GenusSalvadora (Patch-nosed Snakes)
- SpeciesSalvadora hexalepis (Western Patch-nosed Snake)
About the Western Patch-nosed Snake
Salvadora hexalepis, the western patch-nosed snake, is a species of non-venomous colubrid snake, which is endemic to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is found in the southwestern United States in the states of Arizona, southern California, Nevada, southern New Mexico, and southwestern Texas. It is also found in northern Mexico in the Mexican states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Sonora.
The following four subspecies are recognized, along with their geographic ranges: Adults of Salvadora hexalepis are, on average, 20-46 inches (51–117 cm) in total length; the record total length is 58 in (150 cm). They have a distinctive, thick scale curved back over the top of the snout, and free at the edges.
All subspecies are yellowish with blackish lateral stripes in various arrangements. The dorsal scales are smooth, and the anal plate is divided. The western patch-nosed snake inhabits arid deserts in its area. It feeds upon lizards, snakes, reptile eggs, and small rodents. 4-10 eggs are laid during spring or early summer and hatch in August through... Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Saguaro National Park
Eastern Patch-nosed Snake
Salvadora grahamiae
Big Bend Patchnose Snake
Salvadora deserticola
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
Checkered Garter Snake
Thamnophis marcianus
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 | El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 3 | Joshua Tree National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 5 | Cabo Pulmo National Park | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 6 | Zion National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 7 | Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 8 | Grand Canyon National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 9 | Bahía de Loreto National Park | 🇲🇽 Mexico |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Western Patch-nosed Snake in Saguaro National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Western Patch-nosed Snake sighting in Saguaro National Park, based on 53 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Western Patch-nosed Snake in Saguaro National Park?
May has the highest sighting rate for Western Patch-nosed Snake in Saguaro National Park in our monthly data.