Western Shovel-nosed Snake

(chionactis occipitalis)
Subspecies: Mojave, Colorado Desert, Nevada, Tucson

Description:

10-17" (25.4-43.2 cm). Whitish or yellow, with 21 or more saddle-shaped dark-brown or black crossbands, sometimes with intervening reddish-orange crossbands. Snout flattened and juts well beyond lower jaw. Scales smooth, in 15 rows. Anal plate divided.

Breeding:

2-4 eggs are deposited in summer.

Habitat:

Arid desert land; sandy washes, dunes, and rocky hillsides; prefers areas with scattered mesquite-creosote bush; below sea level to 4,700' (1450 m).

Range:

Sc. Nevada south into Baja California and Sonora, Mexico.

Subspecies:

Mojave (C. o. occipitalis), 25 or more dark crossbands, most not crossing belly, red crossbands absent; se. California, southern tip of Nevada, wc. Arizona.

Colorado Desert (C. o. annulatus), 25 or fewer dark crossbands on body, most cross belly; narrow red crossbands present; se. California and sw. Arizona, south jinto Mexico.

Nevada (C. o. talpina), brown-marked light spaces between brown crossbands appear as secondary crossbands; sc. Nevada southwest into California.

Tucson (C. o. klaubei), distinct narrow secondar crossbands between blackf primary crossbands; sc. Arizona.

The small shovel-shaped head, valved nostrils, flattened belly, and smooth scales with this burrower to move quickly through sand. Occasionally seen during the day, but essentially nocturnal and most apt to be encountered crossing a road. May strike repeatedly when approached, but the tiny teeth can do little damage. Diet includes centipedes, scorpions, and insects.

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