Species Reptiles & AmphibiansWestern Patch-nosed Snake

Western Patch-nosed Snake

Salvadora hexalepis

CommonReptile & Amphibian
Illustration of Western Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora hexalepis)

The Western Patch-nosed Snake has an enlarged, upturned rostral scale used for digging up buried lizard eggs. A fast-moving, diurnal snake that actively forages across open terrain.

Habitat
Desert grassland, chaparral, and shrublands in the Southwest
Diet
Lizard eggs, lizards, and small rodents
How common
Common

Best time to see a Western Patch-nosed Snake

The best time to see a Western Patch-nosed Snake is March–June, when about 66% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 2,835 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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Recent Western Patch-nosed Snake sightings near you

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

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