Night Snake (Hypsiglena torquata)

Night Snake, New Mexico
Photograph by Gary M Stolz, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. License: Public Domain. (view image details)

NIGHT SNAKE FACTS

Description
The Night Snake is pale grey, beige or light brown with pairs of brown blotches down the back. There are usually three large black blotches on the neck. The underside is white or yellow. It has a flat head with a brown bar behind eyes and white lips. The scales are smooth and may be iridescent. Juveniles are similar to adults.

Size
25cm - 35 cm

Environment
arid areas, shrubland, desert, suburban areas, grassland. Prefers areas with good ground cover. Often found under rocks.

Food
eats mainly lizards and lizard eggs. May also eat small snakes, frogs, salamanders, invertebrates.

Breeding
Lays eggs from April to September.

Range
Found in western United States from southern California to Washington. Also extends south into Baja California in Mexico

Notes
The Night Snake is non-venomous, and docile and easily handled. It may flatten its head and coli up vibrating its tail when disturbed.

Classification

Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata (Serpentes)
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Hypsiglena
Species:	torquata
Common Name:	Night Snake

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