Species profile
Western Patch-Nosed Snake
Salvadora hexalepis
Identify Western Patch-Nosed Snake (Salvadora hexalepis) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Western Patch-Nosed Snake (Salvadora hexalepis) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 2,111 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with California, Arizona, and Nevada the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- The enlarged rostral scale on its nose acts as a shovel for digging up buried reptile eggs.
- A diurnal species, it is active during the day and unusually fast for a North American snake.
- Adults typically reach 20–45 inches in total length.
- Found in arid scrub and chaparral from Nevada and Utah south into Mexico.
- Non-venomous; prey includes lizards, small rodents, and reptile eggs.
Where Western Patch-Nosed Snake are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Western Patch-Nosed Snake
Background
The Western patch-nosed snake, Salvadora hexalepis, is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake, which is endemic to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Western Patch-Nosed Snake article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other reptiles on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Western Patch-Nosed Snake?
Western Patch-Nosed Snake (Salvadora hexalepis) 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 Patch-Nosed Snake?
Western Patch-Nosed Snake is Salvadora hexalepis.
Is Western Patch-Nosed Snake regulated for fishing?
Yes — Western Patch-Nosed Snake 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 Patch-Nosed Snake?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Western Patch-Nosed 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.