Mojave Shovel-nosed Snake

Sonora occipitalis

Reptiles & AmphibiansIn the app

It is a small snake of about 369 mm or 15” in length. It has more than 20 dark brown bands on a cream/light yellow background. Their snout is light yellow or cream. They…

How to identify

It is a small snake of about 369 mm or 15” in length. It has more than 20 dark brown bands on a cream/light yellow background. Their snout is light yellow or cream. They also have a black mask which crosses the top of the head and covers the eyes. Along with their underside being cream, it has a countersunk jaw and valves in the nasal passages. Additionally, the snake has a concave belly and a relatively flat snout. With these qualities, the Mojave Shovel-nosed Snake is well equipped for burrowing under fine sand and loose gravel. Lastly, their pupils are round and their scales are shiny and smooth.

Range

The Mojave Shovel-nosed Snake, Sonora occipitalis can be located in the high deserts of Southern California, Souther Nevada, and Western Arizona.

Habitat

This snake is usually found close to washes in desert flats or on gently sloping bajadas. They are ground dwellers and primarily crepuscular. They are nocturnal and are in underground burrows during the daytime. They feed on insects, spiders, centipedes, reptile eggs and so on. Lastly, their mating takes place in spring. In summer, a clutch of about 9 eggs is laid.

Similar species

The Mohave Shovel-nosed Snake is very similar to the Resplendent Desert Shovel-nosed Snake, as the two snakes were once considered the same species. The Mohave Shovel-nosed Snake may have some red but not the full narrow reds bands of the Resplendent Desert Shovel-Nosed Snake. The Mojave Shovel-nosed Snake is similar to the Sonoran Coralsnake also known as Micruroides euryxanthus. Shovel-nosed Snakes have saddles as opposed to the full bands of a coral snake. The light snout of The Mojave Shovel-nosed Snake may also help distinguish it from a coral snake.