Texas Patch-nosed Snake

Salvadora grahamiae lineata

Texas Patch-nosed Snake from Starr County, Texas.

This species is called patch-nosed because of its enlarged rostral scale (the scale at the tip of the snout).  It is the only snake in our area with such an enlarged rostral (Hognosed Snakes have their rostral scale upturned).

Texas Patch-nosed Snake from Webb County, Texas.

head of a Patch-nosed Snake, showing enlarged rostral scale (tip of snout)