Long-Nosed Snake
Rhinocheilus lecontei
A boldly patterned desert snake with black, cream, and red saddles and a distinctively pointed, upturned nose.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 50-100 cm (20-40 in)
- Range
- Southwestern United States and northern Mexico
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Overview
The Long-Nosed Snake is a striking colubrid of arid and semi-arid regions in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Its bold black-and-cream-and-red pattern often causes it to be mistaken for a coral snake or a kingsnake by casual observers.
It is named for its elongated, slightly upturned snout, which it uses to help burrow into loose desert soils.
How to identify it
- Bold pattern of black saddles alternating with cream or white and speckled with red or orange blotches
- Pointed, somewhat upturned snout used for burrowing
- Smooth scales; round pupils
- Speckling within the cream bands (small black dots) helps distinguish it from milk snakes and kingsnakes
- Belly typically pale with dark spotting
Habitat & range
Inhabits desert scrub, grasslands, and sandy or gravelly soils across the southwestern deserts, often found on desert flats and foothills.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Primarily nocturnal, especially in warmer months, spending days burrowed in loose soil or under surface debris. Feeds on lizards, small mammals, and other snakes' eggs. Lays eggs in early summer.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Long-Nosed Snake dangerous?
No, it is non-venomous and harmless to people.
Why is it sometimes confused with a coral snake?
Its red, black, and cream banded pattern superficially resembles coral snake coloration, though the patterns and ranges differ.
What is distinctive about its snout?
It has an elongated, slightly upturned nose that aids in burrowing through sandy desert soil.
What does it eat?
It preys on lizards, small mammals, and reptile eggs.
Long-Nosed Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Long-Nosed Snake.
