Glossy snake
Peninsular Glossy Snake
HarmlessArizona pacata
2 photographs of the Peninsular Glossy Snake. (c) Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Rockefeller.
The Peninsular Glossy Snake (Arizona pacata) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Also called
- Glossy snake
- Family
- Colubridae
- Size
- 2–4 ft.
- Habitat
- Deserts and arid grasslands.
- Behavior
- Nocturnal burrower; a gophersnake look-alike but harmless.
- Identify
- Smooth, glossy, faded-looking blotches on a tan body.
About the Peninsular Glossy Snake
Arizona pacata, the peninsular glossy snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is found in Mexico.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Peninsular Glossy Snake
- Is the Peninsular Glossy Snake venomous?
- No. The Peninsular Glossy Snake (Arizona pacata) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Peninsular Glossy Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Peninsular Glossy Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Peninsular Glossy Snake dangerous?
- The Peninsular Glossy Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Peninsular Glossy Snake live?
- The Peninsular Glossy Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including Mexico, United States of America. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- How do I identify the Peninsular Glossy Snake?
- Smooth, glossy, faded-looking blotches on a tan body.
- How big does the Peninsular Glossy Snake get?
- 2–4 ft.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Arizona
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Arizona pacata
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.