A Guide to the Amphibians
and Reptiles of California

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Patch-nosed Snakes found in California

Not Dangerous (Non-poisonous)
Patch-nosed Snakes do not have venom that is dangerous to most humans.

This fast-moving snake is active in the daytime in deserts, grassland, sagebrush, and pinyon-juniper. It is usually seen on the ground, often sunning on roads in the early morning.

Three subspecies occur in California. The side striping will help to identify the subspecies as will the location. Check the map to determine which one occurs in your area.

Enlarged rostral (scale on tip of nose)

Desert Patch-nosed Snake - Salvadora hexalepsis hexalepsis

Mohave Patch-nosed Snake - Salvadora hexalepsis mojavensis

Coast Patch-nosed Snake - Salvadora hexalepsis virgultea

Range Map

Red: S. h. hexalepis - Desert Patch-nosed Snake

Purple: S. h. mojavensis - Mohave Patch-nosed Snake

Orange: S. h. virgultea - Coast Patch-nosed Snake

Violet: Old unconfirmed S. h. virgultea sight record

Keys to the three Subspecies of Salvadora hexalepis found in California *
	Desert Patch-nosed Snake Salvadora hexalepsis hexalepsis	Mohave Patch-nosed Snake Salvadora hexalepsis mojavensis	Coast Patch-nosed Snake Salvadora hexalepsis virgultea
Top of Head Color	Gray	Gray	Brown
Width of Pale Middorsal Stripe	3 scales wide	3 scales wide	1 and 2 half-scale rows wide
Loreal Scale	Divided	Divided	Divided into 2 - 4 scales
Upper labial Scales	9 upper labials - 1 reaches the eye	9 upper labials - 0 reach the eye	9 upper labials - 1 reaches the eye
Dorsal Pattern of Stripes		Sometimes indistinct and, around the edges of its range, especially in the eastern part, the stripes are obscured by crossbars.
Sides	Stripe on side usually on 3rd scale row	Stripe on side usually on 3rd scale row	The sides may be dark on all but the lowermost 1 or 2 scale rows
* Based on information from: Stebbins, Robert C. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. 3rd Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2003. Brown, Philip R. A Field Guide to Snakes of California. Gulf Publishing Co., 1997.

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