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 →