| Range: |
 |
| Other Names: |
Western Hooknose Snake, Western Hook-nosed Snake, Fart Snake |
| Description: |
Adults usually 7-11" with a record length of 15 1/6". Smooth scaled, stout-bodied snake with an up-turned nose. Ground color varies from pale yellow to pinkish brown, but it usually pale brown to gray-brown. It is marked with 25 or more jagged, distinctly black-edged darker dorsal crossbands. |
| Similar Species: |
Hognoses have keeled scales |
| Venom: |
None |
| Habitat: |
Largely a desert species, often found in areas where mesquite,creosote bush, and agave are dominant plants but also ascending into mountains at least to the pinyon-juniper zone. |
| Behavior: |
Nocturnal and crepuscular, when disturbed it may exhibit a behavior known as anal popping, where it will expel air from its vent making a popping noise. |
| Hibernation: |
Over-winters underground |
| Reproduction: |
The Western hooknose snake is oviparous. Sexually mature females may lay up to 5 eggs in June. |
| Diet: |
Mainly spiders, but centipedes and scorpions are also eaten. |
