Alternate Name(s):

Venom Status:

Non Venomous

Characteristics:

This 18” long snake is immune to the venom of pit vipers. Red saddles are edged with black bands that are widest dorsally but that may not cross the belly. Black pigment may infiltrate the red bands or even divide them dorsally. Red may be duller than that on the nearby New Mexican milk snake. Ground color grayish white. Black nose or white with black in the medial sutures. White nose flecked with black. Smooth scales. Oviparous. Hatchlings similar to adults. Very secretive. Occasionally surface active on warm rainy nights, especially during the spring breeding season. Use range as an identifier.

Unique Features:

The snout may be all black or mostly white with dark scale seam.

Habitat and Diet:

The Great Basin south of Great Salt Lake. This is an uncommon snake that has been found in habitats as diverse as open gravel pits to open moist woodland. Prey of these powerful constrictors includes nes.

Geographic Range:

AZ, UT