Sonoran Night Snake (Hypsiglena chlorophaea chlorophaea)
Description: A large (5 to 7 feet), defensive snake with a loud hiss, that vibrates its tail when nervous producing a loud whirring sound when in leaves or grasses, and that has large heavily keeled scales, and a feisty disposition. Much time is spent in rodent burrows. If disturbed while above ground it will often elevate its head well above body level and strike savagely from a modified coil. If sufficiently angered it may, while striking, actually move toward a person. This snake has a yellowish head with an enlarged rostral (nosetip) scale, a yellowish ground color and prominent reddish-brown dorsal saddles. Belly is yellow with prominent black spots. Oviparous. Hatchlings are like adults in appearance.
Habitat: a variety of biotic communities, such as, Arizona Upland Sonoran Desertscrub, Semidesert Grasslands, Interior Chaparral, Madrean Evergreeen Woodland, and the lower reaches of Great Basin Conifer Woodland. I can usually be found above the flats on mountain slopes and canyons, in foothills, along ridges, and on steep rocky bajadas.
Range: in the sub-Mongollon Rim mountain ranges of south-central and southeastern Arizona.
Diet: Prey includes lizards, small mammals, and birds.
Reproduction: Up to 13 eggs are laid in summer.
Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of the wide distribution, large number of locations, presumed large population, lack of major threats, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.
Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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