Masticophis flagellum

Masticophis flagellum is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snakes commonly referred to as coachwhips or whip snakes, with seven recognized subspecies.

Geographical range

Coachwhips range throughout the southern United States from coast to coast. They are also found in the northern half of Mexico. Typically, they are found in open grassland habitats, but can also be found in lightly forested areas.

Western coachwhip
Masticophis flagellum testaceus

Description

Coachwhips are thin-bodied snakes with small heads and large eyes with round pupils. They vary greatly in color, but most reflect a proper camouflage for their natural habitat. M. f. testaceus is typically a shade of light brown with darker brown flecking, but in the western area of Texas, where the soil color is a shade of pink, the coachwhips are also pink in color. M. f. piceus was given its common name because specimens frequently, but not always, have some red in their coloration. Coachwhip scales are patterned so at first glance, the snake appears braided. Subspecies can be difficult to distinguish in areas where their ranges overlap. Adult sizes of over 160 cm (63 in) are not uncommon.

Behavior

Coachwhips are diurnal, and actively hunt and eat lizards, small birds, and rodents. They tend to be sensitive to potential threats, and often bolt at the first sign of one; they are extremely fast-moving snakes. They are curious snakes with good eyesight, and are sometimes seen raising their heads above the level of the grass or rocks to see what is around them.

Masticophis flagellum, in shed

Myths

The primary myth concerning coachwhips, that they chase people, likely arises from the snake and the person both being frightened, and both just happen to be going the same way to escape. Coachwhips are fast snakes, often moving faster than a human, and thus give an impression of aggression should they move toward the person.

The legend of the hoop snake may refer to the coachwhip snakes.

Another myth of the rural southeastern United States is of a snake that, when disturbed, would chase a person down, wrap him up in its coils, whip him to death with its tail, and then make sure he is dead by sticking its tail up the victim's nose to see if he is still breathing. In actuality, coachwhips are nowhere near strong enough to overpower a person, and they do not whip with their tails, even though it is long and looks very much like a whip. Their bites can be painful, but generally are harmless unless they become infected.

Masticophis flagellum

Masticophis flagellum

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Nerodia

Nerodia is a genus of nonvenomous colubrid snakes commonly referred to as water snakes.

Description
Nerodia species vary greatly, but all are relatively heavy-bodied snakes, sometimes growing to 1.2 m (4 feet) or larger. They have flattened heads, with small eyes that have round pupils, and keeled scales. Species like N. fasciata display distinct banding, where other species, like N. erythrogaster have blotching, and N. rhombifer have diamond-shaped patterning. Most species are brown or olive green, or some combination thereof with markings being brown, or black. Yellow or cream-colored accenting is common.

blotched water snake, Nerodia erythrogaster transversa

Behavior
Water snakes, as their name implies are largely aquatic. They spend the vast majority of their time in, or very near permanent sources of water. Often they can be found basking on tree branches which overhang slow moving streams or ponds. Their primary diet is fish and amphibians, and they are quite adept at catching both in their aquatic environment. They will also consume rodents.

While their initial instinct is to flee when disturbed, they do typically have a nasty disposition. They do not often hesitate to strike or bite if handled, and will often expel a foul-smelling musk from their cloacae.

Reproduction

Nerodia species are ovoviviparous, breeding in the spring and giving birth in the late summer or early fall. They are capable of having 90 or more young, but broods generally are much smaller. Neonates are around 20-26 cm (8-10 in.) in length.

diamondback water snake, Nerodia rhombifer giving birth

diamondback water snake

In captivity

Due to how widespread and extremely common they are in the wild, water snakes are often found in the exotic pet trade, throughout the United States, though they are rarely captive bred. Their relative physical unattractiveness compared to other available pet snake species, and their poor disposition makes them less than attractive pets. They are easy to care for though, and do quite well in captivity.

Conservation concerns
Some species, such as N. harteri and N. paucimaculata are only found in very isolated localities and are protected by state laws, but the majority of Nerodia species hold no specific conservation status. Due to their habitat choice, poor disposition, and vague similarity to the venomous cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus), they are frequently mistaken for them. This results in many more water snakes being killed every year than cottonmouths. Often, water snakes found in areas where the cottonmouth does not range are still killed by humans out of ignorance and fear.
Nerodia species are widely spread around the southern and eastern half of the United States, north into Canada and south into Mexico, as well as to the island of Cuba. Many ranges overlap, and intergrading of subspecies is not unknown, but is rare.

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Eastern indigo snake(Drymarchon couperi)

The Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi) is a large nonvenomous snake with an even blue-black coloration, with some specimens having a reddish-orange to tan color on the throat, cheek and chin. This smooth- scaled snake is considered to be the largest native snake species in the United States with the longest recorded specimen measuring 9.2 feet (2.8 m). The Eastern Indigo Snake gets its name from the glossy iridescent blackish-purple sheen it displays in bright light.

Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi)

Food habits and behavior

The Eastern Indigo Snake is carnivorous, like all snakes, and will eat any other small animal it can overpower. It has been known to kill its prey by wildly beating it against nearby objects. Captive specimen are frequently fed dead prey to prevent injury to the snake from this violent method of subduing its prey. Its diet has been known to include other snakes (ophiophagy), including venomous ones, as it is immune to the venom of the North American rattlesnakes. Eastern Indigo Snakes eat turtles, lizards, frogs, toads, a variety of small birds and mammals, and eggs.[2][4]

As defensive behavior the Eastern Indigo Snake vertically flattens its neck, hisses, and vibrates its tail. If picked up, it seldom bites.[6]

It often will cohabit with gopher tortoises in their underground burrows, although it will settle for armadillo holes, hollow logs, and debris piles when gopher tortoise burrows can't be found. Hunters, hoping to flush out rattlesnakes, often wind up accidentally killing Indigo Snakes when they illegally pour gasoline into the burrows of gopher tortoises (a practice referred to as "gassing"), even though the tortoises themselves are endangered and protected.

 Preferred habitat

Eastern Indigo Snakes frequent flatwoods, hammocks, dry glades, stream bottoms, cane fields, riparian thickets, and high ground with well-drained, sandy soils.[2] In Georgia, snakes prefer excessively drained, deep sandy soils along major streams, as well as xeric sandridge habitats.[3] Xeric slash pine plantations seem to be preferred over undisturbed longleaf pine habitats.[4] Habitat selection varies seasonally. From December to April Eastern Indigo Snakes prefer sandhill habitats; from May to July snakes shift from winter dens to summer territories; from August through November they are located more frequently in shady creek bottoms than during other seasons.[5]

The Eastern Indigo Snake is most abundant in the sandhill plant communities of Florida and Georgia. These communities are primarily scrub oak-longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) with occasional live oak (Quercus virgianiana), laurel oak (Q. laurifolia), Chapman's oak (Q. chapmanii), and myrtle oak (Q. myrtifolia). Other communities include longleaf pine-turkey oak (Q. laevis), slash pine (Pinus elliottii)-scrub oak, pine flatwoods, and pine-mesic hardwoods.

 Cover requirements

Because the cover requirements of Eastern Indigo Snakes change seasonally, maintaining corridors that link the different habitats used is important. From the spring through fall snakes must be able to travel from sandhill communities and upland pine-hardwood communities to creek bottoms and agricultural fields.[5] In winter Indigo Snakes den in gopher tortoise burrows, which are usually found in open pine forests with dense herbaceous understories.[4] Burrows need to be in areas where there is no flooding. Eastern Indigo Snakes heavily use debris piles left from site-preparation operations on tree plantations.[4] These piles are often destroyed for cosmetic reasons but should be left intact because they provide important hiding cover for both the snake and its prey. Summer home ranges for the Indigo Snake can be as large as 273 acres (229 ha)

The eastern indigo snake is the largest snake in North America.

 

 

Reproduction

Eastern Indigo Snakes are oviparous.[7] The eggs are 75–100 mm (3-4 in.) long by 27–32 mm (1-1¼ in.) wide. Only 5-6 eggs are laid. The hatchlings are 600–700 mm (23½-27½ in.) long.[8]


 Captivity and care

Due to its generally docile nature and attractive appearance, some people find it a desirable pet, although its protected status can make owning one, depending on location, illegal without a permit. Only a few states require permits to own an Eastern Indigo Snake but a federal permit is required to buy one from out of state anywhere in the US. The permit costs $100; information about obtaining one can be found by doing a web search. Most states allow unrestricted in-state sales. To thrive in captivity, this snake requires a larger enclosure than most species do, preferably with something to climb on.

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RIBBON SNAKE

The Ribbon Snake or Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus) is a common snake found throughout North America. It averages 16–35 in (41–89 cm) in length and is a member of the garter snake genus. There are four subspecies of ribbon snake:

    Eastern Ribbon Snake – Thamnophis sauritus sauritus - brownish back, range extends from New York to Florida, west to the Mississippi River.
    Northern Ribbon Snake – Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis - dark brown or black above, range from Maine through Ontario and Indiana.
    Southern Ribbon Snake or Peninsula Ribbon Snake – Thamnophis sauritus sackeni - tan or brown, range from South Carolina south through Florida.
    Western Ribbon Snake or Bluestripe Ribbon Snake – Thamnophis sauritus nitae - dark with light blue lateral stripes, Gulf coast of north-central Florida.

Captivity

Ribbon snakes are also common pets. They are easily found in pet shops for up to 30 dollars. A single snake can fit in a ten gallon terrarium (aquariums work but terrariums are meant for reptiles). They are also very docile.

Food

Ribbon Snakes have a diverse diet consisting of worms, slugs, minnows, insects, small mice, fish, and toads.




Reproduction

Reproduction in Eastern Ribbon Snakes takes place after they emerge from hibernation in the spring time, in April or May. Mating occasionally takes place in the fall, but the female will delay fertilization and development until the next spring. The average gestation period is three months. They average number of young is around 12 but can range anywhere from 4-27. Females give birth in late summer or maybe even the early fall. After birth there is no parental care involved, the young are left to fend for themselves. Most young reach sexual maturity after two years, but most usually wait until the third year.

eastern coral snake

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Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica)

    Common names: Gaboon viper, butterfly adder, forest puff adder, swampjack,[2] (more).

Bitis gabonica is a venomous viper species found in the rainforests and savannas of Sub-Saharan Africa.[1] This is not only the largest member of the genus Bitis,[3] but also the world's heaviest viperid[2] and it has the longest fangs (up to 2 inches),and the highest venom yield of any venomous snake.[2] Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate race described here.[4]

Description

Adults average 122–152 cm (4 to 5 feet) in length with a maximum of 205 cm (81 in) for a specimen collected in Sierra Leone. The sexes may be distinguished by the length of the tail in relation to the total length of the body: approximately 12% for males and 6% for females. Adults, especially females, are very heavy and stout. One female had the following dimensions:[2]


Total length     174 cm (69 in)
Head width     12 cm (4.7 in)
Girth     37 cm (14.65 in)
Weight (empty stomach)     8.5 kg (19 lbs)



In their description of B. gabonica, Spawls et al.. (2004) give an average length of 80–130 cm (32 to 51.5 in), with a maximum size of 175 cm (69.3 in), saying the species may possibly grow larger still. They acknowledge reports of specimens over 6 feet (1.8 m), or even over 2 m (6.5 ft) in length, but claim there is no evidence to support this.[5]

The head is large and triangular, while the neck is greatly narrowed: almost one-third the width of the head.[2] A pair of horns is present between the raised nostrils — tiny in B. g. gabonica, but much larger in B. g. rhinoceros.[5] The eyes are large and moveable,[2] set well forward,[5] and surrounded by 15–21 circumorbital scales.[2] There are 12–16 interocular scales across the top of the head. 4–5 scale rows separate the suboculars and the supralabials. There are 13–18 supralabials and 16–22 sublabials.[2] The fangs may reach a length of 55 millimetres (2.2 in) :[3] the longest of any venomous snake.[2]

Midbody, there are 28–46 dorsal scale rows, all of which are strongly keeled except for the outer rows on each side. The lateral scales are slightly oblique. The ventral scales number 124–140: rarely more than 132 in males, rarely less than 132 in females. There are 17–33 paired subcaudal scales: males have no fewer than 25, females no more than 23. The anal scale is single.[2]

The color pattern consists of a series of pale, sub-rectangular blotches running down the center of the back, interspaced with dark, yellow-edged hourglass markings. The flanks have a series of fawn of brown rhomboidal shapes, with light vertical central bars. The belly is pale with irregular brown or black blotches. The head is white or cream with a fine, dark central line, black spots on the rear corners, and a dark blue-black triangle behind and below each eye.[5] The iris color is cream, yellow-white, orange[5] or silvery.[6]

Habitat

The Gaboon viper is usually found in rainforests and nearby woodlands, mainly at low altitudes,[6] but sometimes as high as 1500 m.[2] Spawls et al. (2004) mention a maximum altitude of 2100 m.[5] According to Broadley and Cook (1975), it is generally found in environments that are parallel to those occupied by its close relative, B. arietans, which is normally found in more open country.[9]

In Tanzania, this species is found in secondary thickets, cashew plantations, and in agricultural land under bushes and in thickets. In Uganda, they are found in forests and nearby grasslands. They also do well in reclaimed forest areas: cacao plantations in West Africa and coffee plantations in East Africa. They have been found in evergreen forests in Zambia. In Zimbabwe, they only occur in areas of high rainfall along the forested escarpment in the east of the country. In general they may also be found in swamps, as well as in still and moving waters. They are commonly found in agricultural areas near forests and on roads at night.[2]

Venom
Bites are relatively rare, due to their docile nature and the fact that their range is mainly limited to rainforest areas.[3] Due to their sluggishness and unwillingness to move even when approached, people are often bitten after they accidentally step on them, but even then in some cases they may not bite.[11] However, when a bite does occur it should always be considered a serious medical emergency. Even an average bite from an average sized specimen is potentially fatal.[3] Antivenom should be administered as soon as possible to save the victim's life if not the affected limb.[9]

The snake's hemotoxic venom itself is not considered particularly toxic based on tests conducted in mice. In mice, the LD50 is 0.8–5.0 mg/kg IV, 2.0 mg/kg IP and 5.0–6.0 mg/kg SC.[12] However, the venom glands are enormous and each bite produces the largest quantities of venom of any venomous snake. Yield is probably related to body weight, as opposed to milking interval.[2] Brown (1973) gives a venom yield range of 200–1000 mg (of dried venom),[12] A range of 200–600 mg for specimens 125–155 cm in length has also been reported.[2] Spawls and Branch (1995) state that from 5 to 7 ml (450–600 mg) of venom may be injected in a single bite.[3]

A study by Marsh and Whaler (1984) reported a maximum yield of 9.7 ml of wet venom, which translated to 2400 mg of dried venom. They attached "alligator" clip electrodes to the angle of the open jaw of anesthetized specimens (length 133–136 cm, girth 23–25 cm, weight 1.3–3.4 kg), yielding 1.3–7.6 ml (mean 4.4 ml) of venom. Two to three electrical bursts within a space of five seconds apart were enough to empty the venom glands. The snakes used for the study were milked 7 to 11 times over a 12-month period, during which they remained in good health and the potency of their venom remained the same.[2]

Based on how sensitive monkeys were to the venom, Whaler (1971) estimated that 14 mg of venom would be enough to kill a human being: equivalent to 0.06 ml of venom, or 1/50–1/1000 of what can be obtained in a single milking. Marsh and Whaler (1984) wrote that 35 mg (1/30 of the average venom yield) would be enough to kill a man of 70 kilograms (150 lb).[2] Branch (1992) suggested that 90–100 mg would be fatal in humans. Further investigation is needed.

In humans, a bite causes rapid and conspicuous swelling, intense pain, severe shock and local blistering. Other symptoms may include uncoordinated movements, defecation, urination, swelling of the tongue and eyelids, convulsions and unconsciousness.[2] Blistering, bruising and necrosis may be extensive. There may be sudden hypotension, heart damage and dyspnoea.[5] The blood may become incoagulable with internal bleeding that may lead to haematuria and haematemesis.[3][5] Local tissue damage may require surgical excision and possibly amputation.[3] Healing may be slow and fatalities during the recovery period are not uncommon.[5]
 

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RED TAILED RACER (Gonyosoma oxycephalum)

The Red-tailed Green Ratsnake (Gonyosoma oxycephalum) is a species of snake found in Southeast Asia. It is a thin snake with powerful and rough scales on its belly, ideal for climbing and moving in trees. It has smaller, smooth scales on its back.

As its name indicates, the snake has a green body with a red tail (usually brownish), and it also has a dark line horizontally across its eye. On the sides of its black tongue there may be a blue colour.

The red-tailed green ratsnake lives and spends its life in the trees and in cavities in trees. It seldom descends to the ground. It feeds almost exclusively on birds, but in captivity it can be trained to feed on small mammals . The female can reach a length of up to 2.4 m (almost 8 feet), while the male is generally a little bit smaller. Its average life span is 15 years. It reaches sexually maturity at the age of 4 years, and its eggs have a hatching time from 13 to 16 weeks. The female lays on average between 3 and 8 eggs usually between September and January and the hatchlings are about 45 cm (18 inches) long.

When the snake is stressed, it may inflate a bag of air in its neck, making it appear larger in size.

In captivity, it has quite the 'attitude' and may strike at or bite an unwary handler.

The red tailed racer is a medium-bodied arboreal rat snake that occupies lowland to mid-level rainforest. They are common and widely-distributed across the Peninsular. They are usually completely green except for the yellowish labials and lower cheeks. A faint stripe runs from the snout through the eye and fades off towards the neck. The tongue is blue and the tail tip is a dark rusty brown.

Red-tailed rat snakes are aggressive and flare up their throats and bodies when under duress. They hunt birds and rodents in the wild, using constriction as a killing method. Gonyosoma oxcephalum can be differentiated from Elaphe prasina by their much larger size, stripe through the eye and rusty brown tail; features that the green tree racer lacks. in Southeast Asia, this species occurs in Malaysia, Borneo, Thailand and Indonesia, some with different colour forms.

Habitat                   

Found in the sandy soil of sparse woodlands
Behavior

The Gray Rat Snake is larger than most Rat Snakes. They are usually docile, although they can become aggressive when threatened or nervous. Found primarily in the Midwestern United States, the Gray Rat Snake can usually be found in the sandy soil of sparse woodlands.They are mostly arboreal animals, meaning they spend a lot of time in trees. They can often be found hunting or basking on rocks and tree limbs. Gray Rat Snakes do not require hibernation unless they are to be bred. They are quite common in captivity. In the wild, young Gray Rat Snakes are eaten by raptors and carnivorous mammals. The adults grow to a significant length, so they are rarely harmed by anything but humans.

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RING-NAKED SNAKE (Diadophis punctatus)

The ringneck snake or ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus) is a colubrid snake species. It is found throughout much of the United States, central Mexico, and south eastern Canada[2]. Ring-necked snakes are secretive, nocturnal snakes that are rarely seen during the day time. They are slightly venomous but their non-aggressive nature and small rear-facing fangs pose little threat to humans who wish to handle them. They are best known for their unique defense posture of curling up their tails exposing their bright red-orange posterior, ventral surface when threatened. Ring-necked snakes are believed to be fairly abundant throughout most of their range though no scientific evaluation supports this theory. Scientific research is lacking for the ring-necked snake and more in-depth investigations are greatly needed[3]. It is the only species within the genus Diadophis, and currently fourteen subspecies are identified, but many herpetologists question the morphologically-based classifications[4].
The Northern Ringneck Snake is a smallish snake, only growing up to two feet long. It is bluish-black in color, with a yellow or red ring around its neck, and a matching belly. This snake has a large, flat head.Northern Ringneck Snakes live just about anywhere, including forests, grassy places, and streamsides.They usually hide under logs, rocks, leaf litter, or matted plants.They are nocturnal, so they are mostly seen at night.

                                                                                  

  Physical description

Ring-necked snakes are fairly similar in morphology throughout much of their distribution.

Dorsal coloration is solid olive, brown, bluish gray to black, broken only by a distinct yellow, red, or yellow-orange neck band[2][5]. There are a few populations in New Mexico, Utah, and other distinct locations that do not have the distinctive neck band[2]. Additionally individuals may have a reduced or partially colored neck band that is hard to distinguish; coloration may also be more of a cream color rather than bright orange or red[5]. Head coloration tends to be slightly darker than the rest of the body with tendencies to be blacker than grey or olive[5]. Ventrally the snakes exhibit a yellow-orange to red coloration broken by crescent shaped black spots along the margins[2]. Sometimes individuals lack the distinct ventral coloration but typically retain the black spotting[5]. Rarely do individuals lack both the ventral or neck band coloration so use of those two characteristics are the most simple way to distinguish the species[2].

Size also varies across the species distribution. Typically adults measure 25-38 cm (10-15 inches)[2], except for D. punctatus regalis which measures 38-46 cm (15-18 inches)[5]. First year juvenile snakes are typically about 20 cm (4 inches) and grow about 2-5 cm (¾-2 inches) a year depending on the developmental stage or resource availability[5].

Ring-necked snakes have smooth scales with 15-17 scale rows at mid body[2]. Males typically have small tubercles on their scales just anterior to the vent which are usually absent in females[2].

Habitat

Ring-necked snakes occur in a wide variety of habitats. Preference seems to be determined by areas with abundant cover and denning locations spaces[5]. Northern and western species are found within open woodlands near rocky hillsides, or in wetter environments with abundant cover or woody debris[2]. Southern species exist primarily within riparian and wet environments, especially in more arid habitats[5]. Stebbins (2003) identified the species as a snake of moist habitats, identifying that moist soil conditions were the preferred substrate[2]. Ring-necked snakes are also not found above an elevation of 2200 meters[2]. In northern regions, dens are also important in identifying suitable ring-necked snake habitat. Dens are usually shared communally[5], and are identifiable by an existent subsurface crevasse or hole that is deep enough to prevent freezing temperatures. Since it is a woodland reptile, it can commonly also be found under wood or scraps. Because of the hot weather, they tend to make holes and burrow or they decide to hide under rocks or any suitable material. They are normally found in flatland forests.

Behavior
The diet of the ring-necked snake consists primarily of smaller salamanders, lizards, frogs, earthworms, and some juvenile snakes of other species[5]. The frequency at which prey species are chosen is dependent on their availability within the habitat[5]. Ring-necked snakes use a combination of constriction and envenomation to secure their prey. The snakes do not have a true venom gland, but they do have an analogous structure called the Duvernoy’s gland derived from the same tissue[3]. Most subspecies are rear-fanged with the last maxillary teeth on both sides of the upper jaw being longer and channeled[3]; the notable exception is D. punctatus edwardsii which is fangless[5]. The venom is produced in the Duvernoy's gland located directly behind the eye[3]. It then drains out of an opening at the rear of the maxillary tooth[3]. Ring-necked snakes first strike and then secure the prey using constriction. Next they maneuver their mouths forward ensuring that the last maxillary tooth punctures the skin allowing the venom to enter the prey's tissue[3]. Ring-necked snakes are rarely aggressive to larger predators suggesting that their venom evolved as a feeding strategy rather than a defense strategy. Rather than trying to bite a predator, the snake winds up its tail into a corkscrew, exposing the brightly colored belly[5].

Ring-necked snakes are primarily nocturnal or highly crepuscular, though some diurnal activity has been observed[5]. Individuals are sometimes found during the day, especially on cloudy days, sunning themselves to gain heat[5]. Yet, most individuals lie directly under surface objects that are warmed in the sun and use conduction with that object to gain heat[5]. Even though ring-necked snakes are highly secretive, they do display some social structure; but the exact social hierarchies have never been evaluated[5]. Many populations have been identified to have large colonies of more than 100 individuals, and some reports identify that some smaller colonies occupy the same microhabitats[5].

Reproduction
Ring-necked snakes usually mate in the spring. However, in some subspecies mating occurs in the fall, and delayed implantation occurs.[5]. Females attract males by secreting pheromones from their skin[5]. Once the male finds a female he starts by rubbing his closed mouth along the female’s body[5]. Then the male bites the female around her neck ring maneuvering to align their bodies so sperm can be inserted into the female’s vent[5]. Females lay their eggs in loose aerated soils under a rock or in a rotted log[4]. Three to ten eggs are deposited in early summer and hatch in August or September[5]. The egg is elongate with a white color contrasted by yellow ends[5]. When hatched, juveniles are precocial and fend for themselves without parental care[5].

Distribution
Ring-necked snakes are fairly common throughout much of the United States extending into Southeastern Canada and central Mexico. Eastern populations cover the entire eastern seaboard from the Gulf of Saint Lawrence continuous through the gulf coast of north Texas[5]. Distribution moves inland into northern Minnesota continuing diagonally through the US to include all of Iowa, eastern Nebraska, and most of Kansas[5]. In the western US the distribution is significantly less continuous, with spotty distinct population segments through most of the Pacific Northwest[2]. Populations extend from south-central Washington continuing along the extreme west coast into Mexico[2]. Population segments extend inland into western Idaho, through southern Nevada, into central Utah, and continuing south through Arizona and central Mexico[2

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