Species profile
Western Shovel-Nosed Snake
Chionactis occipitalis
Identify Western Shovel-Nosed Snake (Chionactis occipitalis) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Western Shovel-Nosed Snake (Chionactis occipitalis) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 608 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with California, Nevada, and Arizona the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Its flat, inset snout allows it to swim through loose desert sand to escape heat.
- Rarely exceeds 17 inches — one of the smallest snakes in the Mojave Desert.
- Nocturnal, it hunts scorpions, centipedes, and beetle larvae after dark.
- Bold red, black, and white banding resembles the pattern of the venomous coral snake.
- Burrows into sandy substrate to avoid extreme daytime desert heat.
Where Western Shovel-Nosed Snake are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Western Shovel-Nosed Snake
Background
The western shovelnose snake (Sonora occipitalis) is a species of snake of the family Colubridae.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Western Shovel-Nosed Snake article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other reptiles on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Western Shovel-Nosed Snake?
Western Shovel-Nosed Snake (Chionactis occipitalis) 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 Shovel-Nosed Snake?
Western Shovel-Nosed Snake is Chionactis occipitalis.
Is Western Shovel-Nosed Snake regulated for fishing?
Yes — Western Shovel-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 Shovel-Nosed Snake?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Western Shovel-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.