Lichanura orcutti

Wood et al. (2008), used mtDNA and found three main clades within trivirgata that do not correspond to currently recognized subspecies. They concluded that these clades corresponded to two species, L. trivirgata and L. orcutti (Crother 2017, Reynolds and Henderson 2018). Holycross and Wood (2020) note that L roseofusca should be given priority over L. orcutti.

Range includes deserts of southern California and western Arizona; occurs in many localities; probably slowly declining; locally threatened by habitat loss/degradation from development and by collection for the pet trade.

Range extends north of the United States-Mexico border within San Diego County in California along the coastal Peninsular Ranges, and northward into the Mohave Desert and eastward in the Sonoran Desert of California and western Arizona; in Arizona, this species inhabits areas north of the Gila River, except for individuals inhabiting the Gila Mountains (Wood et al. 2008). This species also occurs in the Newberry Mountains in southern Nevada (Mulks 2011).

The number of distinct occurrences has not been determined using consistent criteria, but this species is represented by a large number of collection sites and locations (as defined by IUCN).

Overall, this snake probably is not very threatened. Some habitat is being lost to residential/commerical development, but often this species occurs in inaccessible, rugged terrain that affords natural protection from grazing and development, and a large extent of suitable habitat remains. Some populations may be vulnerable to habitat loss/degradation from renewable energy development, but the scope of this over the next 10 years appears to be negligible. Some local populations along roads probably are threatened by overcollecting and mortality from vehicles. This is a popular species in the pet trade, and collectors often target this snake; however, it is difficult to find and collect in quantity.