Paul, your secret road, had a large fire last winter on top of being dry, and it is beautiful country.
about common or not, its all about habitat. Historically, hognose are sandy soil burrowers, in their habitat they dominate, they like all species that occur in the habitat they are designed for. In other marginal habitats, they do not have a design advantage and must compete with other species, on the other species terms. Most of the Santa Cruz counties locals are hard packed soil, which they are not designed for. So they do not dominate over such generalized species as gophersnakes etc. Their advantage is simple, in preferred habitat, hogs have the advantage of making their own holes. In hard packed, they are forced to use holes. which any snake species can do. Like most species, they can exist in a number of different habitats, just some more successfully then others. Not unlike the kings you seek. Best wishes

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