Field Herper.com

Field notes and photography by Bryan D. Hughes
Sep
6th
2010

Chihuahuan Hook-Nosed Snake

Here’s my first Chihuahuan Hook-Nosed Snake, Gyalopion canum. I’ve only ever seen two, and I’m apparently lucky, as I know of a few guys that have been doing this a lot longer than me that have never seen one. They’re small fossorial snakes that, like the Sonoran Coralsnake, defends itself by scaring away predators with its scary farts. It sounds like some little kid making fart sounds in their armpit. Strange but true.

Master Farstman
Farter McFarterstein
Chihuahuan Hook-Nosed Snake

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3 Responses to “Chihuahuan Hook-Nosed Snake”

  1. Michael says:

    Beautiful snake. The head and nose shape is quite similar to my Rhinocheilus lecontei… how closely related are the species?

  2. Bryan says:

    We’ll, they’re both colubrids, that’s about it! The hook nosed snake is very short and squat, and would remind you more of a hognose in build R. lecontei. They also join the Sonoran coralsnake in being one of two snake species that fart as a primary defense. Yup.

  3. That little smile in the second photo reminds me of Bart Simpson…

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