Arid Land Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis proximus diabolicus
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- T. p. diabolicus – Val Verde Co – photo by Jason Penney
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- Map by Steve Bledsoe, SWCHR
DISTRIBUTION: In our region, Thamnophis p. diabolicus occurs in southwestern Texas, in portions of the Texas Panhandle and in northeastern and southeastern New Mexico. It has a broad, poorly defined intergradation zone with several adjucant subspecies in Texas.
LEGAL STATUS: Thamnophis p. diabolicus has no protected status in Texas but is protected as a Threatened Species by the State of New Mexico.
MEANING OF SCIENTIFIC NAME: Thamnophis proximus diabolicus (Rossman – 1963)
Genus: Thamnophis, Greek – thamnos = shrub or bush + ophis = snake, serpent
Species: proximus, Latin = next, nearest
Subspecies: diabolicus, Greek – diabolikos = devilish – ref. “horns…suggested by forward protruding forked arms of the parietal spots in many individuals”
Ref. Ellen Beltz 2006
Ref. E. Jaeger 1962