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(Elaphe guttata or
Elaphe emoryi)
| Identification: Upper side gray, with
numerous dark-edged blotches; upper scales weakly keeled along middle of
back, unkeeled on sides; numerous square-cornered dark marks on belly;
anal scale divided; dark stripes usually on underside of tail; maximum
total length in Great Plains region about 180 cm (71 inches) but generally
less than 125 cm (49 inches); smaller in western Colorado, usually less
than 80 cm (31 inches) total length, rarely up to 120 cm (47 inches) total
length.
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Colorado Distribution:
Southeastern and west-central
Colorado below 6,000 feet; likely also in extreme northwestern Colorado.
Generally uncommon but fairly common in some locations.
Habitat:
Closely associated with river
valleys, stream courses, and canyon bottoms; inhabits grassland, weedy areas,
shrubland, plains shelterbelts, open conifer woodlands, lowland riparian zones,
and semiagricultural and rural residential areas (especially rodent-infested
outbuildings) but usually does not venture far from a permanent or intermittent
stream or arroyo. Active on the ground, also a good climber in shrubs, trees,
rocky crevices, and buildings. Takes shelter in burrows and other secluded
locations, including the foundations of old buildings and similar sites.
Sometimes found under objects on the ground during daylight hours.
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Life History:
Limited information suggests
that females produce a clutch of eggs in July and that eggs hatch after
about two months. This snake is a constrictor that feed mainly on rodents
and sometimes birds or lizards.
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