Coast Patch-nosed Snake
Salvadora hexalepis virgultea
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- S. h. virgultea – San Diego Co, CA – photo by Kent VanSooy
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- S. h. virgultea – San Diego Co, CA – photo by Kent VanSooy
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- S. h. virgultea – Riverside Co, CA – photo by Rich Rang
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- Map by Steve Bledsoe, SWCHR
DISTRIBUTION: In our region, Salvadora h. virgultea occurs on the southern California Coast from San Luis Obispo County to the Mexican border.
LEGAL STATUS: Salvadora h. virgultea is protected in the state of California as a Species of Special Concern.
MEANING OF SCIENTIFIC NAME: Salvadora hexalepis virgultea (Bogert – 1935)
Genus: Salvadora, Latin – salvus= whole, sound, well preserved + dura = hide, skin
Species: hexalepis, Greek – hex = six + lepisma = scale – ref. 6th supralabial reaching the eye in the holotype
Subspecies: virgultea, Latin = underbrush, chapparel – ref. brush, chapparal southern California habitat
Ref. Ellen Beltz 2006
Ref. E. Jaeger 1962