Species profile
Glossy Snake
Arizona elegans
Identify Glossy Snake (Arizona elegans) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules iPhone app.
At a glance
Glossy Snake (Arizona elegans) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 3,937 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with California, Texas, and Arizona the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Smooth, polished scales give glossy snakes their characteristic shiny appearance.
- Non-venomous constrictors, they subdue prey by coiling tightly around it.
- Primarily nocturnal, emerging after dark to hunt lizards in desert habitats.
- Their range extends across the southwestern United States from California to Texas.
- Adults typically measure 3–4 feet in length.
Where Glossy Snake are seen
Background
Arizona elegans is a species of medium-sized colubrid snake commonly referred to as the glossy snake or the faded snake, which is endemic to the southwestern United States and Mexico. The genus Arizona has only one officially recognized species, A. elegans, with several subspecies. Some have recommended that A. elegans occidentalis be granted full species status.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Glossy Snake article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other reptiles on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Glossy Snake?
Glossy Snake (Arizona elegans) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Glossy Snake?
Glossy Snake is Arizona elegans.
Are there fishing rules for Glossy Snake?
Glossy Snake does not currently have published fishing rules in CatchRules' curated jurisdictions. Identification, range, and habitat are still tracked above.
How can I identify Glossy Snake?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Glossy Snake along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.