Lyre Snake
Trimorphodon biscutatus
This snake looks limp because it had been mortally injured by a vehicle. It may have been struck at night when these snakes are active and visibility is low. Northeast Maricopa Co. in transition to chaparral habitat. 7 Aug. 2010.
Lyre Snakes are largely nocturnal so that daytime hikers rarely see them. Medium sized and slender, they are best recognized by the verticle eye slits and the lyre-shaped marks on the dorsum of the head.