Now I'm not up on my taxonomy, so I am leaving the Latin name that most are familiar with.  I hear they had changed this to it's own species (Elaphe emoryi) and most recently, change the genus to Pantherophis.  Anyway, this is a somewhat common snake in Eddy county.  Two have come from a friends' sister's house near agricultural areas.  Others have been nearby, but in not so developed areas.  This includes most of Eddy county except the mountainous area.  They are found in the same area you find western hognose snakes, praire rattlesnakes, night snakes, glossy snakes, and many other species.  They eat mice, rats, possibly any small mammal they can fit in their mouths.  I'm sure they also eat lizards when they are younger.  Length is from 30"-50".

                   

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