The Night Snake is a non-poisonous reptile which lives in the hot, dry Western States, Mexico, and in British Columbia, Canada. It can grow up to 20 inches in length(The California species} and subsists largely on lizards and their eggs. Larger sizes have been reported outside of California. Note the shape of the head: it is distinct from Gopher Snakes and is often mistaken for a pit viper.
Ten Facts about Night Snake
- Length is 12-26 in (30-66 cm).
- The nightsnake has been found as far north as southern British Columbia, and as far south as Guerrero, Mexico.
- The nightsnake is found in many differing types of habitat including: grasslands, deserts, sagebrush flats, chapparral, woodlands, thornscrub, thorn forest, and mountain meadows.
- The night snake is also known to inhabit mammal burrows.
- Night snakes are usually seen at night while crossing roads, but can be found under rocks, boards, dead branches and other surface litter during the day.
- Although the night snake poses no threat to humans, it is slightly venomous and uses this venom to subdue its prey.
- Prey includes juvenile rattle snakes and blind snakes, salamanders, frogs, and large insects.
- Night snakes mate in the spring and females lay a clutch of 2-9 eggs from April to August.
- Males reach sexual maturity after one year.
- Captive night snakes have lived over 12 years.
