Chionactis palarostris
Encyclopedia
The Sonoran shovelnose snake (Chionactis palarostris) is a small nonvenomous colubrid
which is a native of the Sonoran Desert
. The specific name, palarostris, is from Latin: pāla (shovel) and rōstrum (beak or snout). It is one of only two species in the genus
Chionactis.
of western Pima County, Arizona
. The subspecies occurring there is called the Organ Pipe shovelnose snake (C. p. organica).
, it has a black snout and is not venomous
. Maximum length of adults is 43 cm (17 in.).
Colubrid
A colubrid is a member of the snake family Colubridae. This broad classification of snakes includes about two-thirds of all snake species on earth. The earliest species of the snake family date back to the Oligocene epoch. With 304 genera and 1,938 species, Colubridae is the largest snake family...
which is a native of the Sonoran Desert
Sonoran Desert
The Sonoran Desert is a North American desert which straddles part of the United States-Mexico border and covers large parts of the U.S. states of Arizona and California and the northwest Mexican states of Sonora, Baja California, and Baja California Sur. It is one of the largest and hottest...
. The specific name, palarostris, is from Latin: pāla (shovel) and rōstrum (beak or snout). It is one of only two species in the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Chionactis.
Range
In the United States it is found only in Organ Pipe Cactus National MonumentOrgan Pipe Cactus National Monument
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is a U.S. National Monument and UNESCO biosphere reserve located in extreme southern Arizona which shares a border with the Mexican state of Sonora. The park is the only place in the United States where the Organ Pipe Cactus grows wild...
of western Pima County, Arizona
Pima County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*74.3% White*3.5% Black*3.3% Native American*2.6% Asian*0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.7% Two or more races*12.4% Other races*34.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
. The subspecies occurring there is called the Organ Pipe shovelnose snake (C. p. organica).
Description
It is cross-banded with black, yellow (or whitish), and red bands. Consequently, it resembles the Sonoran coral snake (Micruroides euryxanthus), but unlike the coral snakeCoral snake
The coral snakes are a large group of elapid snakes that can be subdivided into two distinct groups, Old World coral snakes and New World coral snakes...
, it has a black snout and is not venomous
Venomous snake
"Poisonous snake" redirects here. For true poisonous snakes, see Rhabdophis.Venomous snakes are snakes which have venom glands and specialized teeth for the injection of venom...
. Maximum length of adults is 43 cm (17 in.).
