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Groundsnake

Taylor’s Ground Snake

Harmless

Sonora taylori

Taylor’s Ground Snake
Sonora taylori, © JD Flores
Taylor’s Ground SnakeTaylor’s Ground SnakeTaylor’s Ground SnakeTaylor’s Ground SnakeTaylor’s Ground Snake

6 photographs of the Taylor’s Ground Snake. © JD Flores.

The Taylor’s Ground Snake (Sonora taylori) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 2 countries.

Also called
Groundsnake
Family
Colubridae
Size
Small, 8–18 in.
Habitat
Deserts and arid grasslands with sandy or rocky soils.
Behavior
Nocturnal burrowers that feed on invertebrates.
Identify
Small and smooth-scaled; highly variable — banded, striped, or plain.

About the Taylor’s Ground Snake

Sonora taylori, also known commonly as Taylor's ground snake, the southern Texas ground snake, and la culebrilla de Taylor in Mexican Spanish, is a species of snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to the southwestern United States and adjacent northeastern Mexico.

Etymology

The specific name, taylori, is in honor of a "W. Taylor". To whom this abbreviation refers is unclear. It may refer to Walter Edgar Taylor, who was an American ornithologist and herpetologist, or it may refer to a William Taylor of the British Museum.

Description

Unlike other members of its genus, S. taylori has no modifications to its rostral, nor to its tail. It has 13 rows of dorsal scales at midbody. Dorsally, it is brown, with each scale having a darker center. Ventrally, it is white, including the lips. It has a low number of ventrals: 126–139 for males, 136–148 for females. Adults have a total length (including tail) of 10–16 in (25–41 cm).

Geographic range

S. taylori is found in southern Texas and in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas.

Reproduction

S. taylori is oviparous. Clutch size is about six eggs. Each egg measures about 20 mm × 6 mm (0.79 in × 0.24 in).

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Taylor’s Ground Snake

Is the Taylor’s Ground Snake venomous?
No. The Taylor’s Ground Snake (Sonora taylori) 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 Taylor’s Ground Snake poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Taylor’s Ground Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Taylor’s Ground Snake dangerous?
The Taylor’s Ground Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Taylor’s Ground Snake live?
The Taylor’s Ground Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including United States of America, Mexico. See the distribution section below for its full range.
How do I identify the Taylor’s Ground Snake?
Small and smooth-scaled; highly variable — banded, striped, or plain.
How big does the Taylor’s Ground Snake get?
Small, 8–18 in.
Why is it called the Taylor’s Ground Snake?
The specific name, taylori, is in honor of a "W. Taylor". To whom this abbreviation refers is unclear. It may refer to Walter Edgar Taylor, who was an American ornithologist and herpetologist, or it may refer to a William Taylor of the British Museum.

Where it is found

United States of AmericaMexico

By U.S. state

Texas

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
Sonora
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
Sonora taylori

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.