Snakes

BZ329 Snakes

Nerodia

• Long arrow shaped head

• barred labial scales

• Saddle and barred pattern

• keeled

• divided anal scale

• large head plates

Arizona

• smooth and glossy scales

• saddle pattern

• mask pattern

• single anal scale

• large head plates

• light colored specimen

Hypsiglena

• flat and angular head

• dark neck and nape patch

• smooth

• checkered pattern

• (specimen is small bodied)

Sonora

• small bodied

• solid pattern

• large head scales

• wedge/angular head

• divided anal scale

Pituophis

• saddle pattern

• keeled

• plate head scales

• barred labial scales

• large head + cheeks

• distinct rostral scale

• distinct supraocular (angry eyebrows)

Lampropeltis

• round head

• mask/dark head

• smooth + glossy

• banded

• single anal scale

• rounded rostrum

• plate head scales

Rhinocheilus

• banded/saddle

• long angular head

• rostrum scale extends out

• smooth scales

• single anal scale

• barred labial scales

Tantilla

• very small

• plate head scales

• smooth

• looks like a worm

• darker head + light body

• round nose

Thamnophis

• plate head scales

• striped and/or dotted pattern

• rectangular head

• angry supraocular

• blunt nose

• keeled

• large labial scales

Pantherophis

• long body

• barred labial scales

• angular head

• mask

• smooth

• saddle pattern

• plate scales on head

Masticophis

• long tail

• plate head scales

• broad labial scales

• distinct supraocular

• smooth

• large eyes

Heterodon

• upturned nose/rostrum :3

• keeled

• saddle

• wide head

• distinct supraocular

Coluber

• angular head

• distinct supraocular

• long tail + body

• solid color

• blunt nose

• plate head scales

Tropidoclonion

• striped

• small bodied

• plate head scales

• blunt rostrum

• keeled

• distinct dorsal stripe

• distinct ventral pattern

Opheodrys

• smooth

• solid color

• plate head scales

• narrow head + body

• distinct supraocular

• large eyes

Diadophis

• flat head

• smooth

• ring neck

• small bodied

• speckled underside

• distinct supraocular

• plate head scales

Colubridae

• family

• plate like head scales

• distinct labial scales

• if its not another family, it’s this one lol

Viperidae

• family

• sensory pits

• rattles

• wide head

• many small scales on head

• distinct supraocular scale

• keeled

Crotalus

• keeled scales

• rattle

• distinct supraocular

• vertical pupil

• arrow shaped head

• saddle

Sistrurus

• keeled

• saddle pattern

• distinct supraocular

• small very hard to see rattle

• large plates on head

Leptotyphloptidae

• family

• inset jaw

• vestigial eyes

• small, thin body (worm-like)

Rena

• small vestigial eyes

• pinkish brown body

• worm-like

• inset jaw

• head mostly indistinct from tail

Loxocemidae

• family

• one species

• pelvic spurs

• smooth

• shovel shaped snout

• divided subcaudal scales

Boidae

• family

• vestigial limbs

• big heads/”snouts”

• generally triangular head shape

• viviparous

• many head scales

• wide bodies

Elapidae

• family

• fixed hollow fangs

• smooth scales and slender bodies

• angular heads

• large labial scales

Pythonidae