Scales: Keeled

Anal Plate: Divided

Trans-pecos Rat Snakes are found in West Texas and Southern New Mexico. They grow to three to four feet in length. Diet consists of small mammals, lizards and birds. Like Hognose Snakes and Mississippi Green Water Snakes, the Trans-pecos Rat Snakes also have a subocular scale that lies between their eyes and their upper lip scale. Another unique characteristic about this species is that they have 40 chromosomes. Most snakes have around 32 chromosomes. "Subocs" can be found in dry rocky areas with scrubs and mesquite tress.

This genera was named in honor of Charles M. Bogert, who was a curator of Herpetology at the American Museum of Natural History from 1940 to 1954. His research work included frog vocalization in the Chiricahua Mountains of Arizonia, survey work in the Southwestern U.S. and Latin American, as well as Sri Lanka.

References