Reptiles of Arizona - Green Ratsnake (Senticolis triaspis)

Senticolis triaspis, Arizona
Santa Cruz County, AZ

Juvenile. Cochise Co., AZ

Santa Cruz Co., AZ

GREEN RATSNAKE Senticolis triaspis	Non-Venomous

DESCRIPTION: A long (up to 1,600 mm or 63" in total length), plain, pale green, yellow-green, or olive snake with a plain cream to light yellow underside. Young are gray to gray-green with prominent gray-brown blotches. As the snake ages the blotches begin to fade and they eventually disappear into the plain green adult coloration. The dorsal scales are mildly keeled. The head is relatively long and narrow and is clearly distinct from the thin neck. The pupils are round. Females usually grow to a longer length than males. DISTRIBUTION: This snake is found in the Baboquivari, Pajarito, Atascosa, Santa Rita, Empire, Patagonia, Chiricahua, Swisshelm, Pedregosa, and Peloncillo mountains of southeastern Arizona. In our state it occurs at elevations ranging from about 3,600' to exposed, south-facing slopes at about 8,000'. HABITAT: The Green Ratsnake is primarily an inhabitant of Madrean Evergreen Woodland and the upper reaches of adjoining Semidesert Grassland communities. It is often encountered on relatively exposed, steep, rocky slopes and along drainages at the bases of such slopes. BEHAVIOR: Primarily diurnal and crepuscular. It may spend some time foraging in the branches of trees and bushes but it spends the majority of its time on the ground. It shelters under large rocks, boulders, rock piles, and outcroppings. In Arizona it hibernates during the cold months of late fall and winter. When encountered this snake often remains motionless, presumably to avoid detection. DIET: This is a relatively powerful constrictor that eats small mammals, lizards, birds, and bats. REPRODUCTION: Mating takes place in spring and a clutch off up to 9 eggs is laid in late spring or early summer. By Thomas C. Brennan Bartlett. 2000. Snakes of North America: Western Region. Gulf Publishing Co. Houston, TX Brennan, T. C., and A. T. Holycross. 2006. A Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles in Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department. Phoenix, AZ Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., and Price, A. H.. 1996. Amphibians and Reptiles of New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press. Albuquerque. Fowlie. 1965. The Snakes of Arizona. Azul Quinta Press, Fallbrook, California Stebbins. 1985. Western Reptiles and Amphibians. Houghton Mifflin. New York, NY

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