Western Leaf-nosed Snake
Phyllorhynchus decurtatus
The Phyllorhynchus decurtatus is a small snake usually between 12-20 inches. It is pale tan, cream, pinkish or grey with over seventeen brown blotches on the body from it…
How to identify
The Phyllorhynchus decurtatus is a small snake usually between 12-20 inches. It is pale tan, cream, pinkish or grey with over seventeen brown blotches on the body from its head to tail. There are tinier blotches of brown on the sides as well. There is a line that runs from the eye to the lip. It has an enlarged and raised rostral scale that resembles a folded leaf which is the source of its name. It has a blunted snout and a sturdy neck that can barely be differentiated from the head. The belly and underside are plain white or grey. The pupils of this snake are vertical. The scales of this snake are smooth but males may sometimes have weakly keeled scales.
Range
This snake is endemic to the USA and Mexico. In the United States, the range includes Southern Nevada extending into the southeastern parts of California and southwestern Arizona. In Mexico, the range includes both Baja California and Sonora.
Habitat
They thrive in sandy desert regions including open flats, alluvial fans, foothills, and washes. Their habitat sometimes includes semidesert grassland. They are found in creosote bush flats as well. They are nocturnal and burrow in the ground, spending most of their time in the soil. Females lay a clutch in summer, clutches contain up to six eggs. The eggs hatch in July. These snakes feed mostly on eggs of lizards and other snakes. Although they do feed on other lizards occasionally.
Similar species
The Saddled Leaf-nosed Snake (Phyllorhynchus browni) is similar in size and appears in similar coloration and pattern of blotches. Its rostral scale is also enlarged, its pupils are elliptical and it has a plain white belly. However, it has fewer than eighteen blotches on the dorsum unlike the seventeen of Phyllorhynchus decurtatus. The Glossy Snake (Arizona elegans) share range with Phyllorhynchus decurtatus, but is much bigger (30-50 inches). The head is narrow and they come in many patterns. However, they can be mistaken due to their pale appearance and similarly glossy skin especially if they share range.
Name and etymology
Decurtatus: Latin for having been cut short.
At a glance
Range
This snake is endemic to the USA and Mexico. In the United States, the range includes Southern Nevada extending into the sout…
Habitat
They thrive in sandy desert regions including open flats, alluvial fans, foothills, and washes. Their habitat sometimes inclu…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap