Cemophora lineri

Scientific name. Cemophora lineri

Common Name. Texas Scarletsnake

General information. Texas Scarletsnakes are constrictors living in well-drained or sandy soils, feeding on a variety of small vertebrates and their eggs.

Protected status. The Texas Scarletsnake is listed as threatened by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and is protected in the state of Texas.

Diagnostic features. Undivided anal plate Smooth dorsal scales in 19 rows at midbody. Pointed red snout

Coloration. Grey or white background color with 17-24 deep red blotches, with each blotch bordered by black pigment along the spine. Differing from the Scarletsnake, the blotches extend onto the ventral scales in this species.

General distribution. An endemic species, the Texas Scarletsnake is only found in Texas.

Texas distribution. Cemophora lineri is found along the southern Gulf Coast from Matagora County to Kennedy County and inland to Jim Hogg and Brooks Counties.

Habitat. Texas scarletsnakes are rarely encountered animals, found mainly in sandy thickets along the Gulf Coast.

Reproduction. Clutches of eggs, ranging in size from 3-8, are laid in mid-summer and newly hatched young measuring 12-15 cm (5-6 in) in length.

Size. Texas scarletsnakes can reach total lengths up to 66 cm (26 in).

Map. Orange counties indicate new county records since previous Herps of Texas update in 1998; all other colored counties reflect known distribution prior to 1998 for species and/or subspecies. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.