Red and Black Ground Snake

Chilomeniscus ephippicus, (Cope)

Colouration: Red or deep orange, with black cross-bands, which nearly reach the abdominal plates; the lower ends of these bands are rounded; they are separated by interspaces of ground-colour about as wide as the bands themselves. The black extends about the tail to nearly form rings, but is narrowly broken in the central portion of the undersurface. Top of head black; snout red.
Dimensions: Total length about 9 inches; tail, 1 1/4 inches.
Distribution: Nevada and Arizona--probably to southern California.

The rear border of the rostral plate reaches the edge of the second pair of plates behind it--separating the first pair (the internasals).