In Colorado, western hognose snakes are generally common in the eastern half provided the elevation remains below what threshold?
Answer
6,000 feet
Regional observations in Colorado provide specific topographical limitations for the presence of the western hognose snake. While the species has been documented at elevations as high as 2,500 meters (approximately 8,200 feet) in certain documented areas, general presence in the eastern half of the state is typically restricted to areas below 6,000 feet. In these lower elevation areas, habitat preference centers around Sandhills, plains grasslands, and sandy floodplains, often near water sources like ditches or streams. This elevation correlation, combined with the necessity for loose soil, dictates local abundance patterns within the state.
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