Pituophis catenifer affinis

These large, slow-moving colubrids are generally thought to be rattlesnake-mimics. When disturbed, they will often hiss loudly, coil up rather like rattlesnakes, and generally try to convince you they are dangerous (they aren't).

A large adult male on the east side of the Dragoon Mountains, Cochise County, 6 May 2008.

Same critter, held by Amanda Grusz, 6 May 2008.

An adult male on the east side of the Peloncillo Mountains, southwestern Hidalgo County, New Mexico, 17 Aug 2010.

An adult female on the north side of the Chiricahua Mountains, Cochise County, Arizona, 19 Sep 2010.

The same critter again, 19 Sep 2010.

A subadult female near the junction of the Red River and Rio Grande, Taos County, New Mexico, 20 May 2008.

The same critter, closer, 20 May 2008.

An adult male below the east side of the San Andres Mountains, Doña Ana County, New Mexico, 14 May 2010. The hand belongs to Jeanne Tenorio.

An adult near Baylor Canyon Trail on the west side of the Organ Mountains, Doña Ana County, 7 Sep 2008.

Another view of the same critter, 7 Sep 2008.

An adult male in the Chiricahua Mountains, Cochise County, New Mexico, 3 Sep 2007.

An adult seen on the Jornada Experimental Range east of the Doña Ana Mountains, Doña Ana County, New Mexico, 6 Oct 2006.

Crappy wider view of the same snake, 6 Oct 2006.

A young individual in Cochise County, Arizona, 17 Sep 2004.

Same snake as above, 17 Sep 2004.