Chihuahuan Nightsnake and Desert Nightsnake
A night-dwelling snake that can be spotted on roadways in desert regions during the spring through fall.
About This Species
The two species are distinguished by the desert nightsnake having an additional scale in front of the eye, behind the nostril. Otherwise, both snakes are mildly venomous, exclusively nocturnal, and rarely seen. Their venom is not considered dangerous to humans.
More Information:
Physical Characteristics
Upper side with smooth (unkeeled) scales and numerous dark blotches, the largest and most conspicuous ones on neck; 19–21 rows of scales on back and sides at midbody; pupil vertically elongate (like a cat’s), may close to a narrow slit or two pinpoint openings in bright light; anal scale divided; maximum size about 53 cm (21 inches) snout-vent length, 62 cm (24 inches) total length.
Range
Colorado Distribution: Southeastern Colorado, mostly south of the Arkansas River, and west-central Colorado and southwestern Colorado; occurs at elevations below 6,000 feet in the southeast, below 6,600 feet in west-central Colorado, and up to 7,900 feet at Mesa Verde in southwestern Colorado. Secretive, difficult to find, but not necessarily rare.
Habitat
Rocky slopes and canyons sparsely vegetated with piñon-juniper woodland and/or various shrubs and grasses; occasionally found in flat plains grassland far from rocky slopes; a ground-dwelling species that seems to spend most of the time under rocks, in crevices or in rodent burrows; found beneath rocks mainly during the mild weather of spring, late summer, and fall.
Diet
Small lizards dominate the diet.
Reproduction
Limited information indicates that females produce a clutch of eggs between mid-June and mid-July.