The Reptiles and Amphibians of Utah

Description: Gray to grayish-brown base color. Irregular brown or reddish-brown blotching with light centers down the dorsal. Slender neck with a large head. It has a lyre-shaped marking on top of the head with a dark bar between the eyes. This snake has large eyes with vertical pupils. It has smooth scales and is primarily nocturnal.

Size: A medium-sized slender snake averaging 2 to 3 feet in length. 

Range and Habitat: This snake occurs in the Mojave Desert Region of Southern Washington County. They inhabit Mojave desertscrub and arid foothills with lots of rocky cover. They can be found up to 5,000 feet in elevation. 

Similar Species: The Northern Desert Nightsnake has solid dorsal blotching and elongated dark markings on the back of the neck.