As we prepared to head out to a concert last night I noticed that two of the cats were intensely focused on something out on the patio. With cats, this generally indicates something gross. In the fading light I saw what I thought was a lizard but I decided to take a closer look.
Meet the variable sandsnake. This little guy is about six inched long (three inches visible in the photo). You're looking at the head end. The snake spends most of its life underground eating bugs and larvae. I think I chased off its prey as a wind scorpion hauled ass off the patio when I shined a flashlight on it. I first saw a variable sandsnake on the sidewalk down the block last summer but didn't have a camera with me then. This is the third snake we've spotted in our yard this year after a black rat snake and a little western diamondback. I think we're up to six species in the yard after previous sightings of coachwhip, gartersnake, and a coral snake.
Edit: I'm not sure why it is wearing a piece of bacon on its head.