Hypsiglena torquata

Night snake
	Night Snake held under the glow of a headlamp or flashlight.
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Hypsiglena
Species:	H. torquata
Binomial name
	Hypsiglena torquata; (Günther, 1860)
Synonyms
	Leptodeira torquata ; Günther, 1860; Hypsiglena torquata ; — Boulenger, 1894;

Hypsiglena torquata, the night snake, is a species of rear-fanged colubrid. It is found from Mexico, through much of the eastern United States and south central British Columbia, Canada^[3]^[4] It is characterized by dark brown systematic blotches down its back and sides, a bar behind each eye, vertical pupils, and neck adornment. It is active in the twilight and at night. It is not dangerous to humans.

Morphology and physiology

Description

Total length is 12–26 in (30–66 cm). It is pale gray, light brown, or beige in color, with dark grey or brown blotches on the back and sides. The night snake's head is rather flat and triangular-shaped and usually has a pair of dark brown blotches on the neck. It also has a black or dark brown bar behind the eyes that contrasts against the white or pale gray upper labial scales. It has prominent eyes with vertical pupils.^[5] The belly is white or yellowish. Females are usually longer and heavier than males.

Venom

Although the night snake poses no threat to humans, it is slightly venomous and uses this venom to subdue its prey.

Distribution and habitat

The night snake is endemic to Mexico. Not much is known as far as population densities and exact range due to the highly cryptic nature of the night snake.^[6]

In Canada, the night snake is endangered ^[7].

Ecology

Behavior

Night snakes are known to be both crepuscular (most active at dawn and dusk), and nocturnal. They are usually seen at night while crossing roads, but can be found under rocks, boards, dead branches and other surface litter during the day. Night snakes hibernate during the winter months, and are known to aestivate during periods of the summer. They are generally most active from April to October, with peaks of activity usually occurring in June. If threatened, the night snake may coil up and thrust its coils at the threat, while flattening its head into a triangular defensive shape.

Diet

Their main prey is lizards. A study in southwestern Idaho found that the night snake's diet consisted mostly of side-blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana) and their eggs. Other prey includes juvenile rattlesnakes and blind snakes, salamanders, frogs, and large insects.

Reproduction

Night snakes mate in the spring, and females lay a clutch of 2–9 eggs from April to August. Eggs hatch in 7 to 8 weeks, usually in late summer. Males reach sexual maturity after one year.

In captivity

Night snakes are known to be docile and easily handled. Captive night snakes have lived over 12 years.

References

^ Hammerson, G.A.; Frost, D.R.; Santos-Barrera, G.; Vasquez Díaz, J.; Quintero Díaz, G.E (2007). "Hypsiglena torquata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007: e.T63823A12719256. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
^ "Hypsiglena torquata". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org
^ Burrell, Samuel. "Hypsiglena torquata (Night Snake)". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
^ "Utah Division of Wildlife Resources". dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov. Archived from the original on 2003-06-11.
^ Christopher Mattison (1995). The encyclopedia of snakes. Internet Archive. Facts on File. ISBN 978-0-8160-3072-9.
^ Cooper, Sarah L. 1996. Geographic Distribution. Hypsiglena torquata deserticola. Herpetological Review 27 (4): 213
^ COSEWIC 2001. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the night snake Hypsiglena torquata in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vi + 25 pp. (www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm).