Dog-nosed Snake

Ficimia cana, (Cope)

Colouration: Reddish or orange-yellow, with reddish-brown, dark-edged cross-bands, about thirty in number, which show a tendency to break up into spots or small blotches on the sides. Abdomen immaculate yellowish-white.
Dimensions: Length about 8 inches, of which the tail occupies about 1 1/8 inches.
Distribution: Western Texas to Arizona; northern Mexico.

Scales in seventeen rows. No loreal plate.

A brown band crosses the head in front of the eyes, extending downward to the lip plates; there is another band across the rear portion of the head.

The Genus Chilomeniscus: The species are persistent burrowers. Their standing is rather doubtful; some authorities recognise at least four, while others reduce the number to two or one.

In place of the conical snout of Ficimia, the head of the present snakes is much flattened, almost spoon-shaped--though not distinct from the neck--and the sharp-edged rostral forms a useful scoop for burrowing; the rear border of this plate extends backward on the head, separating the first pair of shields--the internasals. There is no loreal plate. The scales of the body are in thirteen rows.