Gyalopion canum

Taxobox
name = Western Hooknose Snake
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
subordo = Serpentes
familia = Colubridae
genus = "Gyalopion"
species = "G. canum"
binomial = "Gyalopion canum"
binomial_authority = Cope, 1860
synonyms = "Pariaspis canum"
Cope, 1860
"Ficimia cana"
Cope, 1860

The Western Hooknose Snake ("Gyalopion canum") is a species of small colubrid snake native to the United States, from western Texas to southeastern Arizona, and into northern and central Mexico. It was once classified in the genus "Ficimia", but was reclassified due to distinct morphological characteristics. It is sometimes referred to as the Chihuahuan Hook-nosed Snake because it is commonly found in the Chihuahuan Desert.

Description

The Western Hooknose Snake is a small species, growing to from 7 to 11 inches long. They are gray or gray brown in color, with numerous dark brown or black blotches down their back, and a cream colored underside. They have a slightly upturned snout, which gives them their common name.

Behavior

Hooknose Snakes are nocturnal burrowers, most often found under rocks. They prefer slightly sandy habitats, near a permanent water source. Their diet consists primarily of spiders and centipedes. They are oviparous.

One of their primary defensive behaviors is to make a popping noise with their cloaca, i.e. farting. According to an article in the August, 2000 issue of Discover magazine, during a laboratory experiment carried out by Bruce Young, a morphologist at Lafayette College, the snakes only farted when they felt threatened, and some farted so loudly that they lifted themselves off the ground. [http://discovermagazine.com/2000/aug/breakpop]

Speed

The gyalopion canum is quick in short amounts or spurts.

References

*EMBL species|genus=Gyalopion|species=canum
* [http://www.zo.utexas.edu/research/txherps/snakes/gyalopion.canum.html Herps of Texas: "Gyalopion canum"]