The desert rosy boa (Lichanura trivirgata) is a species of snake in the family Boidae. The desert rosy boa is native to the American Southwest and Baja California and Sonora in Mexico. The desert rosy boa is one of four species in the boa family native to the continental United States, the other three being the coastal rosy boa (Lichanura orcutti) and the two species of rubber boas (Charina). Taxonomy Edward Drinker Cope described the species in 1861. The specific epithet trivirgata refers to the distinct three stripes characteristic of the species. Some researchers have placed the species in the genus Charina with the rubber boas (see Synonyms). Newer phylogenetic research supports the original arrangement, but herpetologists still do not agree on rosy boa taxonomy. The subspecific designations are just as uncertain, with many authorities not accepting L. t. arizonae or L. t. saslowi, and others not recognizing any of the subspecies as being valid. Subspecies Four subspecies at the most are recognized: Arizona rosy boa, L. t. arizonae Spiteri, 1991 desert rosy boa, L. t. gracia Klauber, 1931 – ground color laced with pink, orange, or tan well-defined longitudinal stripes Baja rosy boa, L. t. saslowi Spiteri, 1987 Mexican rosy boa, L. t. trivirgata Cope, 1861 – ground color laced with pale cream broad longitudinal stripes Description Considered a small snake, the desert rosy boa normally attains a total length (including tail) of . Exact length varies by subspecies. Desert rosy boas are one of the smaller members of the family Boidae. A large adult has a body width about the diameter of a golf ball. Coloration of the desert rosy boa is highly variable, and usually locale-specific. Some individuals display a rosy or salmon coloration that is common on their underside; most rosy boa specimens do not have this ventral coloration, but instead have a series of dark to orange spots on a light-colored background. Almost all specimens of the desert rosy boa have at least some trace of three longitudinal stripes, one down the center of the back, and two on the lower sides. The appearance of these stripes varies widely, from extremely straight and having high contrast with the interspaces, to extremely broken with almost no contrast with the interspaces. Stripe colors can be orange, maroon, rust, brown, or black. Interspace colors can be shades of light to dark gray, yellow, or tan. Distribution and habitat