Species profile
Western Groundsnake
Sonora semiannulata
Identify Western Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Western Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 1,040 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Arizona, Utah, and Nevada the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Adults typically reach 8–19 inches, making them one of North America's smaller snakes.
- They are nocturnal, spending days buried in loose soil or hidden under rocks.
- Their diet consists mainly of centipedes, scorpions, and spiders.
- Coloration varies dramatically, from plain tan to boldly banded red and black.
Where Western Groundsnake are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Western Groundsnake
Background
The western ground snake (Sonora semiannulata) is a species of small, harmless colubrid snake. The species is endemic to North America. It is sometimes referred to as the common ground snake or variable ground snake, as its patterning and coloration can vary widely, even within the same geographic region. Another common name is miter snake referring to the head marking which suggests a bishop's…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Western Groundsnake article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other reptiles on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Western Groundsnake?
Western Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata) 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 Western Groundsnake?
Western Groundsnake is Sonora semiannulata.
Is Western Groundsnake regulated for fishing?
Yes — Western Groundsnake has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Western Groundsnake?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Western Groundsnake 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.