General Description: Western Groundsnakes are harmless, small, smooth, and shiny snake with a reddish back. The dorsal color pattern is highly variable, ranging from plain red to red with black crossbars.

Taxonomy: Colubrid Snakes Family (Colubridae)

Technical Description: Length 8-18 inches. Usually 15 rows of scales at midbody, 13-14 rows at the rear. The anterior edge of each scale is dark. One preocular, two postocular scales. Head about as wide as neck. Anal divided. Lower jaw not inset.

Diet: Small bugs.

Habitat: Rocky or sandy areas with some soil moisture.

Range: Eastern and southern Nevada, southeastern California, western and southern Arizona, southern New Mexico, almost all of Texas and Oklahoma, south into northern Mexico.

Breeding: 4-6 eggs laid during summer.

Similar Species: There are several red-and-black banded snakes, including Long-nosed Snake, Shovel-nosed Snakes, and Texas Coral Snake.

Comments: Also called Variable Groundsnake.