Ornate Racer

Zamenis taeniatus, variety ornatus, (B. & G.)

Distribution: Western Texas.
Distribution: Western Texas to Lower California.
Distribution: Southern Arizona.
Distribution: Lower California; southwestern Arizona.

Differs from the typical form in the colouration.

Pale brown, with stripes on the sides like the typical reptile.

On the back are wide, dark cross-bands; these are most distinct on the forward portion of the body and on some specimens are of a distinctly oblong formation.

To one who has observed these slender-bodied, graceful serpents literally skim over the ground in their flight for shelter, the comprehensive title for them--the Racers--will appear most appropriate. Like many fleet creatures they are so high-strung and nervous that as captives few of them live long. Among the snakes, they are equivalent to the swallows among the birds.

Unique Serpents of the Southwestern United States and Mexico

FROM all other North American snakes, the reptiles of the genera Salvadora and Phyllorhynchus may be distinguished by the peculiar development of the shield on the snout--the rostral. This is wedge-shaped, the flat portion forward, and with sharp, projecting edges. The unusual formation of the rostral gives the head a blunt, square outline. With Salvadora, the development is moderate, though at once distinct; with Phyllorhynchus however, the formation of the rostral is carried to such an extreme that the two species are extremely grotesque and appear as if they had a curved shield loosely attached to the front of the snout.

The Flat-nosed Snakes are of moderate size; they occur in the southwestern United States and in Mexico.

Key to the North American Species

A. Pupil of eye round. Nose plate (rostral) moderately developed in the form of a projecting shield, curved back over the top of the snout.

Genus Salvadora

Yellow, with brown bands (lengthwise).

GRAHAM'S FLAT-NOSED SNAKE, S. grahamiae.

B. Pupil elliptical. Rostral plate greatly developed in the form of a projecting shield.

Genus Phyllorhynchus.

a. Scales keeled on latter portion of body.

Whitish; about fifteen brown cross-bands.

BROWN'S FLAT-NOSED SNAKE, P. browni.

b. Scales smooth.

Whitish; about thirty blotches on back.

PENINSULA FLAT-NOSED SNAKE, P. decurtatus.

The Genus Salvadora: One species of this genus occurs in the United States; several species inhabit Mexico. These snakes are closely allied to the racers--Zamenis, and like the latter are very quick in their movements. All inhabit rocky places and feed upon small mammals and birds; they do not constrict their prey. The species are oviparous.