Photo courtesy of Suzanne L. CollinsClick on pictures to enlarge
Photo courtesy of Suzanne L. Collins
(Thamnophis proximus)
| Identification: Light stripes on sides of
body on third and fourth scale rows above outer edges of belly scales;
orange stripe down middle of back; upper lips whitish, dark marks absent;
upper scales keeled, in 19 rows at midbody; anal scale single; tail long
(25–34 percent of total length); maximum total length about 123 cm (48
inches) but usually much smaller.
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Colorado Distribution:
Known only from one location in
southwestern Baca County in southeastern Colorado, where the species has not
been observed since 1931. Possibly extirpated.
Habitat:
Generally near permanent water;
habitats in New Mexico include dense vegetation at the edge of streams
(including intermittent creeks with large, deep pools containing abundant frogs
and fishes), irrigation canals, and stock tanks. Active on the ground, in water,
and in low vegetation; commonly climbs into vegetation beside or above water to
bask.
Life History:
In adjacent states, females give birth to
their young between late July and mid-September. The diet includes fishes and
adult and larval frogs and salamanders, including newly metamorphosed toads but
usually not adult toads.