Long-nosed Snake

NAME:

Long-nosed Snake

ZOO NAME:

Slither

CLASS:

Reptilia

GENUS:

Rhinochelius

SPECIES:

R. lecontei

LENGTH:

8-19 inches

LIFESPAN:

10 yrs

DIET:

Mice, Rats, Eggs, Birds

PREDATORS:

Man, lizards, snakes, raptors, small mammals

RANGE

California, Nevada, Arizona.

HABITAT

Deserts, grasslands, prairies.

CHARACTERISTICS

Most Long-nosed Snakes have slender bodies, small heads and a tricolor pattern. Generally, Long-nosed Snakes have white scales with many black and red speckles and red or black “saddles”. This pattern resembles that of the venomous Western Coral Snake. Long-nosed Snakes are close relatives of the California King Snake.

BEHAVIOR

Long-nosed Snakes are excellent burrowers and can often be found underground. They are most commonly seen hunting at night. Long-nosed Snakes sometimes eat other snakes. When captured or threatened, the Long-nosed Snake may release blood and a foul-smelling waste from the cloaca.

REPRODUCTION

Long-nosed Snakes are egg-laying reptiles. Generally, these eggs are laid between June and August.

THREATS

Because these snakes often use roads to travel at night, they are at risk from automobiles.