Southeastern Crowned Snake

Range

The Southeastern crown snake is a species of non-venomous colubrid snakes endemic to the southeastern United states, found in Indiana, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi.

Habitats

Crowned snakes are commonly found in woodlands, sandhills and flatwoods. They are secretive snakes, being typically active at night and spending most of the daytime underneath rocks and debris. They feed on worms, centipedes, snails, termites, spiders, insects and their larvae. The snakes hibernate in October and usually emerges in late March or early April, breeding usually occurs during this period and the females typically lay 1-3 eggs in between My-June, which hatch in the fall season.

Identification

The southeastern crowned snake (Tantilla coronata) is a small, slim snake, averaging about 5.2–9.6 inches in length. Their body is tan to reddish brown. A dark band 3-5 scales wide can be seen on the neck. Its underside is uniform white, yellow, or pinkish. It has 15 smooth dorsal scale rows at midbody, a divided anal plate and a round pupil.

Learn more with Schechter Natural History's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians