- SCIENTIFIC NAME
- Phyllorhynchus decurtatus
- CLASSIFICATION
- Reptile
- STATE CONSERVATION STATUS
-
- Priority Species
- Unprotected
- FEDERAL CONSERVATION STATUS
- Least Concern
- GAME STATUS
- Non-Game
- Washoe
- Humboldt
- Pershing
- Churchill
- Mineral
- Lyon
- Douglas
- Carson City
- Storey
- Elko
- Lander
- Eureka
- White Pine
- Esmeralda
- Nye
- Lincoln
- Clark
Habitat & Range
The Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake is generally found in areas of rocky, gravelly, or sandy desert plains or dunes with creosote bush. This snake may burrow into loose soil or sand, and it hides under rocks or surface debris or in abandoned rodent burrows. In Nevada, these snakes are only found in the southern part of the state.
- Desert Washes
- Mojave desert
- Warm desert riparian
Threats
- Habitat Fragmentation
- Habitat Loss
Natural History
This snake is nocturnal and is active in the early evening during mild to warm weather. It uses its enlarged rostral scale (nose scale) for burrowing and spends the majority of its time under the soil. It hibernates during the cold months of late fall and winter and is commonly encountered on the surface at night in June. The Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake eats lizard eggs and small lizards, such as banded geckos.
Fun Facts
This species gets its name from the presence of a greatly enlarged scale (the leaf) on the tip of the snout. The purpose of this modified scale may be to help burrow or to help dig up lizard eggs to eat.
OTHER Species
