Black-striped snake

Appearance

Adult Coniophanes imperialis can reach lengths of 30-45 cm (12-18 in). A light brown snake with 3 dark brown to purplish-black stripes, a thin one down the center of the back and a broad stripe on each side. A thin light line extends fron the snout to the top of the eye to the rear of the head. The upper lip scales are white with tiny black dots. The underside is pink, red, or orange. The scales are smooth and in 19 rows with the anal plate being divided.

Naming

Common Names
Red garden snake

Subspecies
Coniophanes imperialis imperialis (BAIRD, 1859)
Coniophanes imperialis clavatus (PETERS 1864)
Coniophanes imperialis copei HARTWEG & OLIVER 1938

Distribution

United States (Texas), Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras

Habitat

Coniophanes imperialis prefers loose, sandy soil habitats with scattered debris and/or piles of rotting cacti. It may also be seen in cracks in the soil that form when the soil dries out quickly or around buildings or construction sites.

Reproduction

Female Coniophanes imperialis may lay as many as 10 eggs in the late spring. Hatchlings appear about 40 days later and are roughly 15 cm (6 in) in length.

Food

Small toads, frogs, lizards, snakes, and baby mice.