Western Patch-nosed Snake
(Salvadora hexalepis)

The Western Patch-nosed Snake is a medium sized snake that bears a large patch-like rostral scale at the tip of its snout. This snake is found in desert scrub, grassland, chaparral, sagebrush plains, and pinyon-juniper woodlands in the southwestern United States south into Baja California and Mexico, from below sea level to 7,000 feet. There are 4 races of Western Patch-nosed Snake. The local race is the Coast Patch-nosed Snake (S. h. virgultea) and is largely restricted to coastal sage scrub, including alluvial fan sage scrub.

Status: The Coast Patch-nosed Snake (S. h. virgultea) is a California Species of Special Concern
Habitat: Desert scrub, grassland, sagebrush plains, chaparral, and pinyon-juniper woodland
Diet: Small mammals, lizards, reptile eggs, and nestling birds
Breeding Season: May through August
Typical number of eggs per clutch: 4-12
Adult mean* snout-vent length: 53.9 cm
Adult active period on the Preserve: May through September
Hatchling mean* snout-vent length: 24.6 cm
Hatchling active period on the Preserve: September through October (see graph)

*mean measurement of individuals captured in the San Bernardino Valley by Museum researchers

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