Night Snake

Hypsiglena torquata

The Night Snake is a small, mildly venomous rear-fanged snake active after dark. Its vertical, cat-like pupils are distinctive among western snakes. It uses mild venom to subdue small lizards and amphibians.

Habitat

Rocky desert, chaparral, grassland, and oak woodland

Diet

Lizards, frogs, and salamanders

How common

Common

Recent Night Snake sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Night Snake? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.

Get Huck — free

More reptiles & amphibians

African Clawed Frog

Xenopus laevis

Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander

Desmognathus ochrophaeus

Alligator Snapping Turtle

Macrochelys temminckii

American Alligator

Alligator mississippiensis

American Bullfrog

Lithobates catesbeianus