Gyalopion

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Gyalopion
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Gyalopion
Cope, 1860
Species

Gyalopion canum
Gyalopion quadrangulare

Gyalopion is a genus of small non-venomous colubrid snakes which are commonly referred to as hooknose snakes that are native to the southwest United States and Mexico.

Contents

[edit] Taxonomy

  • Western Hooknose Snake, Gyalopion canum (Cope, 1861)
  • Desert Hooknose Snake, Gyalopion quadrangulare
    • Gyalopion quadrangulare desertorum (Stebbins, 1985)
    • Gyalopion quadrangulare quadrangulare (Günther, 1893)

[edit] Distribution & habitat

Hooknose snakes prefer shortgrass prairie habitats.

[edit] Description

Their base color is light brown with darker brown crossbands. Their ventral color is white or cream colored. Their most distinguishing feature is an upturned snout, which has a concave scale, as opposed to hognose snakes which have a keeled scale. They rarely grow beyond 10" in length.

[edit] Behaviour

Hooknose snakes nocturnal and secretive snakes, generally found hiding under rocks, buried in the soil. Their primary diet is spiders and centipedes. They are oviparous.

[edit] References