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Texas Long-nosed Snake
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- Order: Squamata (scaled reptiles)
- Suborder: Serpentes (=Ophidia) (snakes)
- Family: Colubridae (typical snakes)
- Genus: Rhinocheilus (long-nosed snakes)
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Also Known As: Texas
Longnose Snake |
Scientific Name: Rhinocheilus
lecontei tessellatus Garman, 1883 |
Habitat: From desert
bush to grasslands to tropical--wide distribution. |
Rhinos="nose," cheilo="lip,"
lecontei in honor of naturalist John L. LeConte, tessella="tiled,"
latus="side"
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Length: Up to 41 inches. |
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Food: Rodents,
lizards, lizard eggs, and other snakes. |
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I found this juvenile longnose
snake on Highway 163 in Val Verde County on 02 July 2004, right
around sunset. When it saw me approaching, it made a break
for it into the grass. I managed to pin it down with my
hands and grab it for a couple of pictures.
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These snakes are known for
musking, as well as squirting blood from their vents and rubbing
it all over themselves, in an effort to make themselves less
desirable to predators (and herpers!). Fortunately for me,
this one did not. It did, however, strike repeatedly until I
released it. |
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See also Western
Long-nosed Snake from my Nevada
page. |
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