Description: The Texas lyre snake is a medium-sized snake, attaining a total length (including tail) of approximately 39 inches at adult size. It is brown, tan or gray with 17 to 24 dark brown blotches down the back. It has large eyes with vertical pupils. The common name, "lyre snake", refers to a distinctive V-shaped pattern on the head which resembles the shape of a lyre.

Habitat: The preferred natural habitats of T. vilkinsonii are desert and rocky areas.

Range: T. vilkinsonii is found in the United States in the Big Bend region of Texas and southern New Mexico, and in Mexico in northeastern Chihuahua.

Found in these States: NM | TX

Diet: Feeds mainly on lizards, and also on small rodents, frogs, bats and birds.

Reproduction: Lyre snakes are oviparous, laying about a dozen eggs per clutch.

Status: The Texas lyre snake was formerly listed as Threatened in Texas, but was removed from the list in 2020. This species is secretive and often difficult to find, but is seemingly common throughout its habitat, much of which is in protected or private land.

Taxonomy: