Description: A small (up to 13inches in total length), gray or tan snake with a dark gray head cap. The posterior edge of the head cap is bordered by a thin white or cream collar. The head cap extends well back (usually 2 to 4 small scales) behind the parietal furrow (central seam between rear-most large head scales). The dark head coloration wraps down the sides of the neck behind and below the corner of the mouth. A white patch marks each cheek behind the eye. The belly is cream anteriorly grading to light pink or orange posteriorly. The scales are smooth and the small head is barely distinct from the neck. There are enlarged, grooved teeth in the rear upper jaw.

Habitat: It is found in Madrean Evergreen Woodland and Semidesert Grassland communities. It is usually found in rocky, wooded canyons and on neighboring slopes.

Range: This species' range extends from southeastern Arizona (Pajarito, Mule, and Chiricahua mountains) and the lower slopes of the Guadalupe and Peloncillo mountains, New Mexico in the United States, south through eastern Sonora, extreme western Chihuahua, and Sinaloa to Nayarit, Mexico, at elevations from near sea level to about 5,500 feet.

Found in these States: AZ | NM

Diet: Venom is delivered to prey via enlarged, grooved teeth in the rear upper jaw (not considered to be dangerous to humans). It forages under rocks and leaf litter for a variety of invertebrates.

Reproduction: Reproductive behavior is poorly known. It probably lays a small clutch (<4) of eggs in summer.

Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.

Taxonomy: