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Banded sand snakes (Chilomeniscus cinctus) are primarily
thought of as dwellers of low desert sandy soils, usually associated
with creosote bush. However, the Peterson Field Guide to Western
Reptiles and Ampibians (Stebbins 1985) also includes as habitat
“sandy-gravelly washes and arroyos in rocky uplands (paloverdesaguaro association), and thornscrub habitats in Mexico.” Given
elevation ranges are from sea level to 3000 feet (910 m). In this
note we describe 2 banded sand snakes found in rocky foothills of
the Rincon Mountains, Saguaro National Park, Pima County,
Arizona at elevations of 3871 feet (1180 m) and 2880 feet (878
m).
The first record (1180 m) was from the south side of the
Rincon Mountains on a hiking trail on 12 December 2000. The
animal was active on the surface and a photograph was taken by
EZ (Figure 1). The area was dominated by perennial shrubs
including goldenweed (Ericameria larissafolia), catclaw acacia
(Acacia gregii), and honey mesquite (Prosopis velutina) but was
not associated with a wash or arroyo.
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