Southwestern Blackhead Snake
Tantilla hobartsmithi
They are small and slender, growing to a maximum body length of 15 inches. It has a flat, dark brown or black colored head, a light collar separates this dark cap and the…
How to identify
They are small and slender, growing to a maximum body length of 15 inches. It has a flat, dark brown or black colored head, a light collar separates this dark cap and the body color, which is uniformly brown. These snakes have smooth, shiny scales, with typically whitish undersides and a reddish stripe which extends to the center of the ventral scales.
Range
The southwestern blackhead is endemic to the southwestern united states and Mexico. It is found in the US states of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Nevada and Colorado.
Habitat
The Southwestern Black headed snake is commonly found in desert, grasslands, woodlands and open coniferous forests. They are most active at night where they forage for soft bodied insects and centipedes in rocks, logs loose soil, leaf litter or debris. The Southwestern blackhead is rear fanged, using its teeth and modified saliva to subdue its prey, although its venom is harmless to humans. Females typically lay 1-3 eggs in between My-June, which hatch in the fall season.
Similar species
Rim Rock crowned snake (Tantilla oolitica) is an endangered species of snake, endemic to the United states and commonly found in Southern Florida. In 2007, the Rim rock crowned snake was added to the IUCN red list (Red list of threatened species) as a result of a loss of habitat and restricted range. They inhabit flatwoods and hammocks. Plains black-headed snake (Tantilla nigriceps) is found in the US states of New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas. Their bodies are tan to brownish gray, with pinkish or orange ventral scales. Western blackhead snake (Tantilla planiceps) is endemic to the Californias, San Francisco bay, as well as western Texas and Utah. They are 7-15 inches in length, with a brown and olive gray body, their black head typically bordered by a white collar
Name and etymology
Hobartsmithi: Honoring Hobart M. Smith.
At a glance
Range
The southwestern blackhead is endemic to the southwestern united states and Mexico. It is found in the US states of New Mexic…
Habitat
The Southwestern Black headed snake is commonly found in desert, grasslands, woodlands and open coniferous forests. They are…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap