Sonora semiannulata
This is a very small, slender snake, about 8 to 12 inches long. Individuals may vary in their color and pattern. There are two common local pattern variations. One is a cream to green-tan color with a broad orange stripe down the center of its back, and the second has charcoal gray blackish saddle-like markings or bands on top of the orange stripe along the entire length of the snake. In both variations the snake’s snout and crown are charcoal gray. A cream to tan colored snake with a very small charcoal dot on each scale is a more common variation in other areas of the country. Any of these variations may be found in a single clutch of eggs. The Ground Snake spends a majority of its time underground. It is diurnal early in the spring (or during rain), crepuscular as the spring temperature increases, and nocturnal during the hot summer months. From 4 to 6 eggs are laid each summer and, hatchlings are 3 to 5 inches long.
Habitat: The Ground Snake can be found in open desert, washes, canyon bottoms and hillsides. Diet: The snake eats insects and their larvae, spiders, scorpions, and centipedes. Adaptations: The Ground Snake has shallow grooves on the outer sides of its rear teeth and mildly toxic saliva. The grooves act as channels to deliver the saliva to prey animals. Even though it may be said that this snake is mildly venomous, it cannot be considered a threat to humans or anything larger than its insect prey.
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