Bogertophis

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Cladus: Craniata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Classis: Reptilia
Cladus: Eureptilia
Cladus: Romeriida
Subclassis: Diapsida
Cladus: Sauria
Infraclassis: Lepidosauromorpha
Superordo: Lepidosauria
Ordo: Squamata
Subordo: Serpentes
Infraordo: Caenophidia
Superfamilia: Colubroidea

Familia: Colubridae
Subfamilia: Colubrinae
Genus: Bogertophis
Species: B. rosaliae - B. subocularis
Name

Bogertophis Dowling & Price, 1988

Type species: Coluber rosaliae Mocquard, 1899
References

Dowling, H. G. and R. M. Price, 1988. A proposed new genus for Elaphe subocularis and Elaphe rosaliae. The Snake, 20: 52–63.
Bogertophis at the New Reptile Database. Accessed on 20 August 2008.

Vernacular names
Deutsch: Nordamerikanische Rattennattern
English: Rat Snakes

Bogertophis is a genus of New World rat snakes in the family Colubridae. The genus is endemic to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. There are two accepted species.

Etymology

The genus Bogertophis is named in honor of American herpetologist Charles Mitchill Bogert.[2][3]
Species

The following two species are recognized as being valid.[4]

Bogertophis rosaliae (Mocquard, 1899) – Baja California rat snake
Bogertophis subocularis (A. Brown, 1901) – Trans-Pecos rat snake

Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Bogertophis.
Description

Bogertophis are long, slender snakes, with large eyes that have round pupils. They can attain total lengths (including tail) of 1.68 m (5.5 ft).[5]

B. rosaliae is more variable in color, found in shades of tan, red, orange, or brown.

B. subocularis is almost universally tan in color with interconnected black blotches on the back and two black stripes down the neck. There is an isolated locality of B. subocularis where it is found with a light yellow coloration that is termed a "blonde" variant, and there is also an almost white coloration, that is sometimes referred to as the "silver" variant.
Trans-Pecos rat snake, Bogertophis subocularis, demonstrating the "silver" variant
Behavior and diet

Bogertophis are typically nocturnal snakes that feed on a wide variety of rodents, bats and sometimes lizards, especially when younger. They are found in semi-arid habitats; so they spend much of their time hiding from the heat of the day.
Reproduction

Bogertophis species are oviparous.
In captivity

Both Bogertophis species are commonly available in the exotic pet trade. Due to their typically docile nature and reliable feeding habits, they can make an excellent choice for a captive snake. They are also well represented in zoos.
References"Bogertophis ". Wikispecies.
Beltz, Ellin (2006). Scientific and Common Names of the Reptiles and Amphibians of North America – Explained.[1]
Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Genus Bogertophis, p. 30).
Genus Bogertophis at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.

Powell, Robert; Conant, Roger; Collins, Joseph T (2016). Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Fourth Edition. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. xiv + 494 pp. ISBN 978-0-544-12997-9. (Bogertophis subocularis, p. 384 + Plate 35).