Much of its activity is probably subterranean. Defended territories in snakes are rare but nothing is known about this species. The western shovel-nosed snake lays eggs underground. Breeds in spring. This snake is probably eaten by most desert predators, possibly even arthropod predators such as large scorpions, though no reports of predation are known.
Nothing is known about parasites, diseases or competitors.
This is a secretive, diminutive snake about which very little is known. Observations on the winter activities of desert reptiles. Stebbins, R. C. 1954. Amphibians and reptiles of western North America. McGraw-Hill, New York.