The Taylor’s Cantil (Agkistrodon tylori) is a venomous snake and a reptile. It is related to a pit viper. It is also known as the Ornate Cantil.

The Taylor’s Cantil has a thick dark-brown to black body with white, orange, or yellow bands. It also has white stripes with orange or yellow along both sides of its head and mouth. Its head is triangular. It has long, hinged fangs.

Taylor’s Cantil Snake

It measures 64-90 centimetres (25-35 inches) in length.

The Taylor’s Cantil is native to north-eastern Mexico. It prefers grasslands, tropical forests, rocky hillsides, and dry thorny forests. It is terrestrial, living on the ground, and not in trees. It is nocturnal, active at night.

It feeds on rodents, such as rats and mice. It also eats amphibians, such as frogs and toads, as well as mammals, birds, and lizards.

The Taylor’s Cantil is ovoviparous, which means that the eggs hatch inside the female’s body and she gives birth to live young, called snakelets.

Taylor’s Cantil Snake

Taylor’s Cantil Snake

Taylor’s Cantil Snake

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM