Forest Sharp-tailed Snake
Contia longicaudae
A smallish, thin snake with smooth scales and a sharp pointed tip on the end of its tail. It averages 5-17 inches in length and has a narrow head with an undefined neck.…
How to identify
A smallish, thin snake with smooth scales and a sharp pointed tip on the end of its tail. It averages 5-17 inches in length and has a narrow head with an undefined neck. It often has a dark bar on the side of the face, in line with the eye. Coloration varies, but they lack patterning on their dorsum, other than longitudinal stripes on some individuals. The ventrum is lighter with a single thin dark cross bar on each caudal scute.
Range
Range consists of small, isolated patches along the coast of northern California and southern Oregon.
Habitat
Inhabits shady, wet coastal forests and mixed woodlands. Often burrows underground and emerges after rainfall to hide under surface objects.
Variations
Color ranges from light salmon to burgundy to dull brown or dark grey. Some are two-toned with a thick stripe down the back, while others have 2 thin longitudinal lines down the sides of the body. The top of the head is usually darker than the rest of the body.
Similar species
Very similar to the common sharp-tailed snake (*Contia tenuis*), which has a shorter tail and fewer caudal scales.
Name and etymology
Longicaudae: Latin for long (longus) tail (cauda)
At a glance
Range
Range consists of small, isolated patches along the coast of northern California and southern Oregon.
Habitat
Inhabits shady, wet coastal forests and mixed woodlands. Often burrows underground and emerges after rainfall to hide under s…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap