The night snake (Hypsiglena torquata ) is a species of rear-fanged colubrid. It is found from British Columbia, Canada through the western United States to Mexico.
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CrepuscularCrepuscular animals are those that are active primarily during twilight (that is, the periods of dawn and dusk). This is distinguished from diurnal...
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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TorporTorpor is a state of decreased physiological activity in an animal, usually marked by a reduced body temperature and metabolic rate. Torpor enables...
Oviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
A burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct ...
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VenomousVenom is a type of poison, especially one secreted by an animal. It is delivered in a bite, sting, or similar action. Venom has evolved in terrestr...
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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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HibernatingHibernation is a state of minimal activity and metabolic depression undergone by some animal species. Hibernation is a seasonal heterothermy charac...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
Aestivation is a state of animal dormancy, similar to hibernation, although taking place in the summer rather than the winter. Aestivation is chara...
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starts withThe Night snake is a mildly venomous species of rear-fanged colubrid found in North America. It is pale gray, light brown, or beige in color, with dark grey or brown blotches on the back and sides. The head of this snake is rather flat and triangular-shaped and usually has a pair of dark brown blotches on the neck. It also has a black or dark brown bar behind the eyes that contrasts against the white or pale gray upper labial scales and the pupil of the eye is vertical. The belly is white or yellowish. Females are usually longer and heavier than males.
Night snakes are found throughout the southwestern and western United States, as well as Mexico and British Columbia, Canada. They live in many different types of habitat including grasslands, deserts, sagebrush flats, chaparral, woodlands, thorn scrub, thorn forest, and mountain meadows.
Night snakes are generally solitary. They are known to be both crepuscular (most active at dawn and dusk), and nocturnal often seen crossing roads at night. During the day they shelter under rocks, boards, dead branches, and other surface litter. They are also known to inhabit mammal burrows. During cold winter months, Night snakes hibernate often with rattlesnakes and are known to aestivate during periods of the summer. They are generally most active from April to October, with peaks of activity usually occurring in June. Although Night snakes pose no threat to humans, they are slightly venomous and use this venom to subdue their prey. If threatened, they may coil up and thrust their coils at the threat, while flattening the head into a triangular defensive shape.
Although the night snake poses no threat to humans, it is slightly venomous and uses this venom to subdue its prey.
Night snakes are carnivores and feed primarily on lizards and their eggs. Other prey includes juvenile rattlesnakes and blind snakes, salamanders, frogs, and large insects.
The breeding season of Night snakes takes place in the spring and females lay a clutch of 2-9 eggs from April to August. Eggs hatch in 7 to 8 weeks, usually in late summer. Young are independent upon hatching and males are known to reach reproductive maturity after one year of age.
There are no major threats to Night snakes at present. However, they are vulnerable to habitat loss, human activities, and roadkills, particularly at night.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Night snake total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.