The Reptiles and Amphibians of Utah

Description: Tan, cream, or gray base color. A solid stripe closely matching the base color runs down the dorsal. This stripe is bordered by dark brown or black stripes and a narrower dark brown or black stripe runs down the side of the body. This snake has an enlarged rostral (nose) scale. It has large eyes and smooth scales. 

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

Range and Habitat: This snake occurs in Southern Washington County, eastward toward Lake Powell and north along the Escalante River drainage. It inhabits Mojave desertscrub, creosote bush-dominated basins, arid canyonlands, and shrublands. They occur below 5,000 feet in elevation. 

Similar Species: The Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake has blotches, not stripes. The Desert Striped Whipsnake lacks an enlarged rostral scale.