The species is endemic to the southwestern United States and adjacent northern Mexico.

The epithet vilkinsonii is in honor of amateur American naturalist Edward Wilkinson, who collected the first specimen near the city of Chihuahua.

[6] Lyre snakes of the genus Trimorphodon are nocturnal, spending most of their time hiding in rock crevices, emerging to feed mainly on lizards,[7] and also on small rodents, frogs, bats and birds.

This species is secretive and often difficult to find, but is seemingly common throughout its habitat, much of which is in protected or private land.

Lyre snakes are oviparous, laying about a dozen eggs per clutch.